The 18th season of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities comes off the wraps on Sept. 11 with colorful opening ceremonies and a heavy four-game sked in basketball at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Special Assistant to the President Bong Go has been invited to deliver the inspirational remarks during the 11:30 a.m. opening ceremony.
SAP Go will be joined by NAASCU Chairman Emeritus Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem of St. Clare College-Caloocan, NAASCU president Dr. Martha Ijiran of Philippine Christian University and officials of all member-teams.
Back-to-back champion St. Clare will open its title-retention bid against Enderun Colleges in the featured encounter at 1 p.m.
Other opening-day matches will pit PCU against New Era University at 8 a.m.; Our Lady of Fatima University against Cuty University of Pasay at 9:30 a.m.; and last year’s runner-up De Ocampo Memorial Colleges against Fe La Salle-Araneta University at 3 p.m.
The traditional parade of teams and the selection of Ms. NAASCU will spice up opening-day festivities.
The other member-teams are Manuel Luis Quezon University, AMA University, RIzal Technological University, Philippine Merchant Marine School, St. Francis of Assisi College, Holy Angel University and National Teacher’s College.
Last year, St. Clare defeated De Ocampo twice 101-79, and 98-83, in their scheduled best-of-three title showdown to capture back-to-back championships.
Two-time MVP Aris Dionisio, Junjie Hallare and import Mohamed Pare starred in the Saints’ two dominant victories over the Cobras.
The Saints, who bagged their first-ever title in 2012, also became only the third team after University of Manila and Centro Escolar University to win three titles or more since the league’s inception in 2001.
St. Clare coach Jino Manansala also tied CEU mentor Egay Macaraya as the second-winningest coach with three titles behind only the five of UM coach Ato Tolentino.
