Doves-Generals duel ushers 5th UCAA season

An explosive doubleheader in men’s basketball, bannered by the early clash between powerhouse teams St. Francis of Assisi College and Emilio Aguinaldo College, ushers the fifth season of the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) this coming Saturday at the San Andres gym in Malate.

The two-time defending champion Generals take on the Doves in the opener’s featured game, shortly after the match featuring host ACSAT against PSBA.

The Doves reigned during the first two seasons of the league (2002-03) until the General toppled them in 2004.

A colorful opening ceremony will be held at 10 a.m., with newly elected UCAA president Raoul Sia leading the way.

"I’ll continue the vision of the UCAA founders, which is to provide pure amateur sports that gives significance to grassroots development," said Sia, who appeared in the weekly PSA Forum at the main function room of the Pantalan Restaurant in Manila yesterday accompanied by Tisha Abundo of PSBA.

Sia, also vice-president of ACSAT which has been in operation for over 30 years with branches all over the country, said several innovations will be made this year, foremost of which is the holding of the home and away format.

"That (home and away) is our main innovation this season in our attempt to make the league more prestigious and for students and schools to patronize us even more," added Sia in the public sports program sponsored by PAGCOR, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and MASCO chairman Ali Atienza.

Sia is taking over the UCAA reins from Teddy Talens of Olivarez College.

Completing the six-team cast seeing action in the league is La Salle-Dasmarinas.

Aside from basketball and volleyball (men and women’s), the league will be holding a first ever cheerdancing competition this season.