The lights were dimmed and the stage was set. Just as the dust from last season’s UAAP battles had settled, the drums began to beat to again to mark a new beginning. The stands were filled with cheering fans from each of the eight member universities. Without a doubt, the excitement in the air all over the country meant just one thing: the UAAP is back.
To begin the program, the board members and president from the eight UAAP schools were introduced one by one in the spotlight, including DLSU’s president, Br. Ricardo Laguda FSC and board member Edwin Reyes. This year is a unique one since DLSU enters the UAAP for the first time as the defending General Champions, a title often held by the UST Growling Tigers, and a reflection of how successful the DLSU sports program has become overall.
This year’s host, Adamson University, then treated the fans to a breathtaking opening parade highlighted by tribal dancers dressed in flashy outfits corresponding to the participating universities. Each school was represented in the opening number which lasted for more than half an hour. There were amazing acrobats, skillful dancers and breathtaking props which helped usher in arguably the country’s most popular university athletic league. The colorfully clad dancers would emerge from revolving stone panels which revealed the logo of a member school when rotated. All eight universities were given their fair share of stage time and it was one of the most memorable opening ceremonies to date.
The program then proceeded to the awarding of a plaque of appreciation to ABS-CBN’s Sports Head, Peter Musngi, and President Gabby Lopez, who was represented by Head of Narrowcast and BTT Channels March Ventosa. The plaque was given in appreciation of the service that the television network has provided to the league during their partnership that has spanned more than a decade. Through their partnership, the league has gained immense popularity amongst millions of people in the Philippines through Studio 23 and abroad via The Filipino Channel.
Athletes from each school then marched it with their respective muses and lined up beside each other on the court. UAAP legends Hector Calma and Kenneth Duremdes, both former Adamson stars, together with former Ateneo guard Olsen Racela then took center stage donning the torch of greatness. The three legends, who all had stellar careers in the Philippine Basketball Association after their collegiate days, passed the torch to Adamson star Jericho Cruz who then proudly yelled to the audience, “On behalf of the UAAP stars, I accept this torch of greatness. Long live the UAAP!”
To open the games, Adamson University’s president, Gregorio Banaga, was called to the court to give the welcoming remarks. In his inspirational speech, Banaga addressed the athletes and the sold out Mall of Asia Arena saying, “The UAAP has become the source of some of our country’s greatest athletes. More than just celebrating excellence, we want to inspire our young athletes to fulfill this legacy of greatness.”
“Greatness should never end because you will continue it and it will go on forever. Greatness starts here in the UAAP. The names and faces change, but the greatness stays the same. I welcome all of you to UAAP Season 76, where ‘Greatness Never Ends’,” added Gregorio before he proceeded to declare the games open.
After the opening ceremony, the basketball tournament immediately kicked off. Together with basketball, there will be six other sports playing during the first half of the season, namely Judo, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Beach Volleyball, Swimming and Badminton. All are slated to begin within July and August and will last until September or October.
Will the Green-and-White make it two General Championships in a row? The next ten months will tell us if La Salle’s greatness is truly one that never ends.
