All eyes on CEU as UCAL cagefest gets underway

Centro Escolar University (CEU) launches its three-peat bid against host Diliman College as Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL)-PG Flex Linoleum 7th Season opens show today with two more schools officially joining at the Paco Arena in Manila.

But whether the Scorpions still have the same fire and passion to sting their rivals that saw them complete an amazing 14-game sweep last season will be known beginning at 4 p.m. against the very same team they overwhelmed in their best-of-three championship.

The arrivals of World Citi Colleges (WCC) and Immaculada Concepcion College (ICC)-Caloocan have raised the number of member schools to 10 which league officials are hoping to maintain in line with the league’s battle cry — it’s our time to shine.

Being the host team, the Blue Dragons have prepared long and hard for a chance to get their revenge against the Scorpions, thus making the featured match of the triple bill worth waiting for.

The ICC, meanwhile, will have its baptism of fire against Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas (LPU-B) at 12 noon of the tournament also backed by Akari, CafeFrance, Advance Solutions Inc., Smart Sports, Spalding, Team Rebel Sports, Quintana Sports, Crane Faucet, Hapee Toothpaste, Jiang Nan Restaurant, Vital, TopFlite Academy, Maruyama and Gerry’s Grill.

At 2 p.m., it will be Manila Central University’s turn to showcase its potent run and gun game against University of Batangas.

The World Citi Colleges, meantime, will make its debut on 25 January against Manila Central University while Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas tackles University of Batangas and Philippine Women’s University battles LPU-B on the same day.

Meantime, former Sen. Anna Dominique Coseteng, president of Diliman College, presided over a recent meeting among members of the Policy Board.

Other members are Olivarez College Executive Dean Cynthia Acosta, UB president Lily Marlene Hernandez-Bohn, Dr. Carlito Olaer, vice president for student affairs of CEU, PWU president Marco Alfredo Benitez, MCU president Dr. Renato Tanchoco Jr., and Dr. Mario G. Miranda II of PCU-D.