It’s that time of the school year again.
The long wait is over, as the curtains have been raised. The 75th season of the UAAP is now officially open.
All summer long, the development of the new venue of the UAAP, the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, has aroused excitement from sports fanatics for another electric season.
Long-time media partner ABS-CBN kept the audience thrilled with a medley of teasers.
For this season, it’s National University’s turn to do the hosting chores after they had swapped hosting rights with DLSU in season 73.
The new home of the Bulldogs, the MOA Arena in Pasay City, housed the light show display and firework-packed opening ceremonies.
National U chose the theme “Unbreakable at 75” because of the UAAP’s diamond anniversary, and wanted the diamond season to highlight the UAAP’s strength and unity after 75 years of existence.
The event featured a short fiction-inspired clip on how eight groups, representing the eight participating schools, pursued their quest for supremacy.
A drumline throbbed to the beat of the school cheers.
The cheerdancers further pumped up the crowd as they pulled off a breath-taking light suit performance. Animo Squad members Hazel Chua and Ella Dator represented DLSU in the tron-inspired dance.
Following that, a parade of the captains of all sports of each UAAP-member school took the scene with men’s basketball season 73 MVP Bobby Ray Parks Jr. leading the athletes in their oath of sportsmanship.
NU president Teodoro Ocampo gave a couple of words as part of the ceremonies. He talked about how UAAP still sticks to the commitment of continuously developing the youth through sports participation.
Mr. Ocampo also acknowledged Former President Fidel V. Ramos as a model, one of the prestigious alumni of National University.
Plaques of appreciation for loyal and hardworking members of the Board of Trustees, namely Noel A. Buenaventura of DLSU and Lailani Gonzalo of UP were distributed by UAAP Season ’75 President, Jose Nilo Ocampo.
The event ended as Pres. Nilo Ocampo declared season 75 open.
“The opening is a success, I’m glad it’s over. Now, I just have to make sure that everything runs smoothly, all the games… I just hope that everything turns out well,” Ocampo shared.
He also disclosed the challenge of making ABS-CBN and MOA Arena working in sync with each other, not only in the technical aspect of handling the league but also finding the rhythm in time for the opening.
On another note, better game coverage is expected of ABS-CBN as they had beefed up their panel of commentators, adding Charles Tiu and former Blue Eagle Kirk Long.
Furthermore, they are starting a new project called Game of the Week, wherein one outstanding game within the week will be chosen and re-aired every Saturday at 9:30 in the evening.
Br. Bernie Oca, FSC commended that the ceremony went well, saying, “They got the UAAP schools well represented. And I think the good thing is that all team captains were present, not just the basketball [team captains].”
An after-party at the Pacific Drive featuring bands like Imago and Pedicab was opened to all UAAP season opening ticket holders and e-PLUS loyalty card holders.
