The Doves, champions for the past two seasons, remain as the team to beat in the eight-member school meet although the rest of the field, including host Emilio Aguinaldo College, are expected to crowd them out for the title.
Boasting a solid sports program, backed by a newly-built, state-of-the-art, seven-storey sports facilities, EAC looms as the biggest threat to St. Francis bid for a third consecutive championship.
"The team failed to figure prominently during the past two years, but were proud to say that a new EAC squad is up to the challenge this season and is ready for the big time," said Romeo Gabriel, EAC P.E. director and UCAA president.
Gabriels confidence stemmed from the fact that the schools sports program now stands on solid ground under the supervision of Rodiel Kirby Baloy, director EAC Office of Sports Development.