It’s all-girl power in WNCAA

There’s no need to boast of the achievements of the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) since it has been in existence for the past 33 years.

It is the country’s first and only existing tri-level sports league for women.

To empower women with equal rights and opportunities in sports, six schools gave birth to the WNCAA — St. Theresa’s College, Maryknoll College (now Miriam), Philippine Women’s University, St. Stephen‘s High School, Chiang Kai Shek College and College of the Holy Spirit (Manila).

Its vision was clear: Develop and promote women sports in the Philippines.

Sis. Josefina Magat of 2002-2003 host Assumption College puts it succinctly: "We want to train our students to survive the outside world. Sports requires discipline and that would aid them in developing wholly."

Adds Ma. Vivian P. Manila of St. Scholastica’s College, the league president and chairman of the board who is now on her fifth consecutive term: "We have lofty goals but we would never allow our athletes to sacrifice their studies. We want them to excel in both their academics and extra-curricular activities."

Strong words from two of WNCAA’s pillars.

To date, the WNCAA has 15 members for NCR competing in 13 regular disciplines and four side events.

Current active members are Angelicum College, Assumption College San Lorenzo, College of St. Benilde, De La Salle Zobel, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Lyceum of the Philippines, Miriam College, Rizal Technological University, Siena College of Quezon City, St. Benedict College, St. Scholastica’s College, St. Stephen’s High School and University of the Assumption-Pampanga.

The season started in August 2002 and runs until March 2003.

Lyceum recently topped both events in the collegiate level.

In the midget division, Assumption ruled basketball while St. Benedict took volleyball honors.

Miriam reigned supreme in both events in the high school category while also blasting its opponents in both the cheer dancing and pep squad (gallery) events.

The league took a break and returned with a bang this November with the Southern Luzon Conference in Los Baños, Laguna. WNCAA motors to San Fernando, Pampanga for the two-day Central Luzon Conference championship.

WNCAA-Adidas features Nokia Sports Festival on Jan. 18, 2003 with exhibition sports such as swimming, table tennis, tennis, indoor football (futsal), taekwondo, chess and badminton at St. Benedict Alabang.

On the afternoon of Jan. 19, 2003, Elle joins hands with the WNCAA-Adidas 33rd Season for the staging of the sports climbing and billiards championships, set at Robinsons Place, Manila.

WNCAA greets 2003 with the Northern Luzon leg (Baguio City), Bicol Conference Invitationals (Legaspi City), Visayas Conference (Cebu City).

On Feb. 1-2, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex oval, the track and field competition will take place.

Middle of February, Don Henrico’s once again hosts the cheerleading contest, this time featuring the college set. Turnover and closing ceremonies will likewise be conducted on this day.

Finally, on March, the WNCAA-Adidas 33rd Season will hold its National Championships at the University of Assumption Pampanga which will be attended by approximately 3,000 spectators from the academe and guests. All of the above sports events will be telecast on RPN 9.

Quite a hectic season. The WNCAA-Adidas 33rd Season is co-presented by Nokia and in part by RPN 9, Monster Radio 93.1, Don Henrico’s, Avon, Elle, Close Up, Cream Silk, official balls Mikasa and Molten. The official marketing group is Tactical Xperts Corporation.

Watch the WNCAA-Adidas 33rd Season highlights every Sunday from 4-4:30 p.m.on RPN 9 and listen to trivia and updates of the games at Monster Radio 93.1 starting December to March for the second wave of the WNCAA-Adidas radio highlights.

Former members College of the Holy Spirit, Philippine Women’s University, St. Paul College Manila and Philippine Normal University have been invited to rejoin the league next year while new applicants are Poveda and University of Asia & the Pacific.