Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas (LPU-B) crowned itself street dance champion to highlight the successful opening of the PG Flex-Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL) Season 8 before a huge cheering crowd on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The 25-member LPU Dance Machine — energized by the wild chants of “Viva! Larga! Pirata!” — put on an dazzling display of footwork, style and creativity to dethrone host Centro Escolar University (CEU) in another tight and exciting contest among nine participating schools.

LPU-B tallied 261 points to emerge winner by three points over CEU, which coincidentally was the winning margin of the Mendiola-based school when it ruled the inaugural event last season.

Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas (PCU-D) finished third followed by University of Batangas (UB) and Immaculada Concepcion College.

It was a big day for LPU-B after good-looking James Martin Paco was chosen as Mr. UCAL, while charming Zach Rhina Schell of PCU-Dasmariñas took the Miss UCAL title.

Obviously, the loudest cheers were reserved for CEU after the host school put great and concerted efforts in staging a simple but significant opening ceremony, one that made this year’s affair very memorable and an inspiration to the next host.

Meanwhile, CEU president Danilo Concepcion exhorted student-athletes to play with pride, courage and integrity each game no matter how challenging the tasks are.

Tournament director Horacio Lim and other league officials, including Col. Bong Nebrija, Bernard Yang, Carmelo Navarro and representatives of school owners, expressed excitement to the next event — the volleyball competitions will start on 14 October at the UB gym in Batangas City with the Brahmans out to regain the men’s title, while Immaculada Concepcion College going for back-to-back in the distaff side.