NCAA set for centennial kickoff this Saturday

NCAA Policy Board and Management Committee, with the ten coaches and captains for men's basketball

The first collegiate league for athletics is set for its centennial launch on Saturday.

Inspiring legacies of sportsmanship, competitiveness, hope, valor, camaraderie, and power, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) of the Philippines kicks things off at the SM Mall of Asia Arena with the "NCAA Siglo Uno: Inspiring Legacies Opening Ceremony."

The event will bring together all ten of its member schools, led by this season's host, Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Lyceum president and concurrent Policy Board head for this season Atty. Roberto Laurel shares about their historic achievement, "Ten decades have passed and the NCAA continues to grow and flourish, remaining strong and resilient. The country’s first athletic collegiate league has already produced many icons and legends who exemplify the league’s 100 years of excellence in sports. As we celebrate the centennial season this year, we recognize everyone who is part of the journey –  from those who have inspired legacies in the past 10 decades to those who continue to strive for sportsmanship today and tomorrow. Expect this season to be the most exciting yet."

This season's Management Committee Chairman Hercules Callanta, also from Lyceum, adds, "We are thrilled to showcase to everyone what is in store for them in this historic centennial year of the NCAA. It is also important for schools to support the NCAA, as the league promotes the development and nurturing of character and lifelong skills that can be used by the youth even when they have become professionals."

The league will have these events on tap for its historic season: Men's and Juniors' Basketball both in 5x5 and 3x3, Men's and Women's Volleyball in indoor and Beach as well as Juniors' Volleyball Fiesta, Badminton, Lawn Tennis and Soft Tennis, Football, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Track and Field, and to be capped off by Cheerleading and Street Dance.

Serving as the league's broadcast partner since Season 96, GMA Network is ready to blast out the action onto its vast network offerings. Games will be shown through GTV, as well as Heart of Asia, as well as through the social platforms of NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports. Those based overseas can also watch the action on GMA News TV.

Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso notes, "GMA Network is both proud and honored to be part of the centennial season of the NCAA. The league has remained resilient and true to its core, transcending borders and inspiring legacies over the past decades. As the broadcast partner and home of the NCAA, we look forward to making this historic season truly remarkable and unforgettable, not just for the 10-member schools of the athletic association, but also for its supporters and viewers watching on TV and streaming, across the Philippines and overseas."

Viewers can expect an exciting Opening Ceremony, which will have Martin Javier as its host, alongside Sparkle artists Michael Sager and Faith da Silva, as well as Lexi Gonzales, who spent last season as one of its courtside reporters.

P-Pop group G22 has been tapped to perform this season's theme song, "Own the Future," with Justin de Dios of SB19 is ready to entertain the crowd.

You can catch the much-awaited NCAA Season 100 Opening Ceremony live at the MOA Arena on Saturday, starting at noon, with the broadcast slated at 10:05am on both GMA and Heart of Asia. Those based overseas can watch it on both GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV.

On-court action then follows with a doubleheader. Starting things off are hosts Lyceum tangling with defending champions San Beda at 230pm. It will be then followed by a matchup between Mapua and the College of Saint Benilde at 5pm.

Action then proceeds to the Filoil EcoOil Centre the next day until the conclusion of the first round. Games will be shown LIVE on Tuesdays and Saturday at 11am and 230pm, and at 12nn and 230pm on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

30th SEA Games Opening Ceremonies set for Saturday

Expect world-class talent and technology for the Opening Ceremonies for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Those attending the festivities at the Philippine Arena will be treated to a showcase of some of the best Filipino talent, but those who can't be at the cavernous stadium can watch LIVE on ABS-CBN at 7pm on Saturday, November 30.

For the Opening Ceremonies, the host Philippines has tapped the award-winning Five Currents consortium to produce the event.

The Los Angeles-based live content creators have had experience taking on such events, from the Olympics Opening Ceremonies in both London and Sochi, as well as the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and the 2015 European Games in Baku. Their events have reached out to a total of twenty billion people worldwide, while also netting numerous industry accolades, including 14 Emmys out of 29 nominations, as well as sixty Telly Awards.

In collaboration with select Filipino talents on-stage and behind the scenes, Five Currents handled the creative and technical aspects of this particular production, including the design execution and the fabrication of all key elements and visuals that would make the SEA Games Opening Ceremonies a unique digital masterpiece.

Aside from the usual parade of athletes and the lighting of the cauldron, notable Pinoy talents will also make their presence felt inside the Philippine Arena.

Lani Misalucha will lead the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by a four-part production that includes song and dance numbers to be performed by celebrated Filipino artists.

There will also be a dance production choreographed by Huling El Bimbo director Dexter Santos and veteran dancer Cherry Villanueva, featuring dancers from the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group as well as student performers from various colleges and universities.

Performers like Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Jed Madela, Elmo Magalona, KZ Tandingan, Inigo Pascual, the TNT Boys, Ana Fegi, Robert Sena, and Apl.de.ap. are to render a medley of songs, including the 2019 SEA Games theme: "We Win as One." Helping with the production are musical arrangers Nikko Rivera and Jimmy Antiporda, as well as music producer Eloisa Matias, while taking the lead behind the scenes are veteran playwright Floy Quintos and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.

UAAP opens Season 82 with promise to go All For More

Hosts Ateneo de Manila providing glamor to the Opening Ceremonies

A higher level of sportsmanship and excellence is what fans can expect from athletes and coaches this year from one of the country’s most prestigious collegiate leagues.

After just 103 days since the closure of Season 81, the University Athletics Association of the Philippines opened Season 82 with an opening ceremony that serves as a send-off for the league’s athletes Sunday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Area in Pasay City.

The event, opened by the moving rendition of the Prayer for Generosity and the Philippine National Anthem by the Ateneo College Glee Club and the Ateneo Chamber Singers, featured top local bands such as Sponge Cola, the Itchyworms, Autotelic, December Avenue and IV Of Spades, as well as performances by the Company of Ateneo Dancers and the Blue Babble Battalion.

“We’re always asked, challenged to do the greater thing,” said Ateneo president Fr Jett Villarin, SJ.

Athletes who have played for and will represent the country in different international tournaments were recognized just before the Oath of Sportsmanship, which was read by Ateneo fencing sensation and World Cup bronze medalist Maxine Esteban.

“We as a country, we are hosting the 2019 South East Asian Games so it is another occasion for us to come together as Filipinos and I hope that is something that is also a greater thing to do beyond our teams, beyond our schools,” added Villarin.

Aside from Villarin, the other members of the Board of Trustees who attended the ceremony were De La Salle University’s Br Rey Suplido, University of the East’s Dr Ester Garcia, Far Eastern University’s Dr Michael Alba, National University’s Dr Renato Carlos Ermita Jr, University of Santo Tomas Rector Fr Herminio Dagohoy, University of the Philippines’ Dr Michael Tan and Adamson University’s Fr Marcelo V Manimtim.

The UAAP games are set to tip-off with Men’s and Women’s basketball games on September 4, 2019 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and the UST’s Quadricentennial Pavillion in Manila.

UAAP Season 82 Opening Ceremony to serve as One Big Pep Rally for student-athletes

Host Ateneo de Manila University draws the curtains of the 82nd Season of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines on Sunday, September 1 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The vision of Ateneo is to make this event the final send-off for all the student-athletes of the league before they embark on their respective UAAP journeys.

"The thing we are doing differently this year is just like back in Season 74, there won’t be a basketball game after the opening ceremony," said UAAP President Em Fernandez. "It’s because we want to make sure that we celebrate all our student-athletes first before they compete.

"We want this to be the pep rally for all the student-athletes of the UAAP."

All student-athletes from all member schools across all sporting events will be present during the parade.

Highlighting the event will be the oath of sportsmanship which will be led by the national team athletes from the member schools who will be competing in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Ateneo will be represented by Jarvey Gayoso (Football), Jessie Lacuna (Swimming), Francis Agojo (Taekwondo), Pauline Lopez (Taekwondo), Maxine Esteban (Fencing), and Jaime Viceo (Fencing).

Adamson University will have Joyme Sequita (Track and Field), Bryan Castillo (Baseball), Steven Manaig (Baseball), Arianne Vallestero (Softball), Ezra Jalandoni (Softball), Angela Gabriel (Softball), Mary Joy Maguad (Softball), and Nicole Padasas (Softball).

Representing De La Salle University are Darylle Lumahan (Fencing), Nicole Albo (Badminton), Irish Navaja (Football), Sara Castaneda (Football), Chelo Hodges (Football), Rocelle Mendano (Football), Alisha Del Campo (Football), Raphael Mella (Poomsae), Patrick Perez (Poomsae), Rinna Babanto (Poomsae), Arvin Herrera (Baseball), Diego Lozano (Baseball), Iggy Escano (Baseball), and Julius Diaz (Softball).

Far Eastern University will have Jelly Paragile (Track and Field), Joida Gagnao (Track and Field), Shania Mendoza (Chess), Darry Bernardo (Chess), Clare Castro (Basketball), Mary Lam (Football), Pocholo Bugas (Football) and John Saldivar (Football).

For National University, Jack Animam (Basketball) will be joined by Ricky Marcos (Volleyball), Joshua Retimar (Volleyball), Kurt Barbosa (Taekwondo) and Nick Garces (Taekwondo).

Fencers Samantha Catantan, Queen Dalmacio, Mickyle Bustos, Nicole Cortey, Shawn Felipe, Reynaldo Perez, and Christian Concepcion will represent University of the East, while Judokas John Ferrer, Gabriel Salazar, and Zarchic Garay compose the University of the Philippines contingent.

Dither Tablan (Judo), Chino Sy (Judo), Czar Bayas (Judo), Khrizzie Pabulayan (Judo), Sydney Sy (Judo), Juan Pingot (Judo), Ann Antolihao (Softball), CJ Roa (Softball), and Celestine Palma (Softball) are set to represent University of Santo Tomas.

The league will also invite the whole community to join in the singing of this year’s theme song “Ang Ating Tagumpay” together with the Itchyworms and Sponge Cola. Both bands will be joined by  December Avenue, Autotelic and IV of Spades for a concert after the ceremonies.

Tickets to the season opening ceremony can be purchased in the schools, over at the venue, or through SM Tickets' website (https://www.smtickets.com/events/view/8080).