UNIVERSITY of Makati (UMak), one of the three new members of the league, was given the opportunity to host the 57th season of the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) which opens on Saturday, Sept. 5.
UMak promises to deliver a special opening ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Makati Coliseum in Makati City under the theme “Rise. Shine. Anywhere.”
WNCAA president Dr. Juanita Alamillo of Centro Escolar University said this year’s theme reflects the spirit of women athletes.
“Rise to face every challenge, overcome every setback and stand stronger after every defeat,” she said.
The other two new teams are De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Antipolo and University of the East Ramon Magsaysay, giving the only tri-level league for female athletes a total of 18 competing teams this season.
After the opening ceremony, the 3x3 basketball event, now a regular event in the WNCAA, kicks off pitting the seniors teams of UMak and San Beda College Alabang.
The volleyball tournament will start on Sunday, Sept. 6, at St. Scholastica’s College Manila.
Games for the centerpiece 5x5 basketball tips off on Sept.13 at the Chiang Kai Shek College gym in Manila.
Futsal, on the other hand, will be held at St. Paul College Pasig.
The second semester events include swimming, chess, badminton, cheerdance and cheerleading, softball, streetdance, table tennis and taekwondo (kyorugi and poomsae).
“We strongly believe that sports development is an essential pillar of holistic education,” UMak president Elyxzur Ramos said during the press conference on Wednesday.
Other member schools are Centro Escolar University, Assumption Antipolo, Assumption College, De La Salle Santiago Zobel, La Salle College Antipolo, Miriam College, Philippine Women’s University, St. Jude Catholic School, St. Stephen’s High School, University of Asia & the Pacific, and University of Santo Tomas-Angelicum College.
Virgilio Tabbu, UMAK vice president for student affairs and community development, said education does not happen inside the classroom only.
“Sometimes, it happens on the court, on the track, in defeat and when you are lost yet still chose to continue,” he said.
