FAITH hosts 12th NCAA South season

MANILA, Philippines - First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH) seeks to come up with a double celebration as it hosts the 12th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) South beginning Sept. 6 at the FAITH Promenade in Tanauan, Batangas.

“We are delighted to host the NCAA South’s 12th season since our school is also marking its 10th anniversary,”said Atty. Gay Marie Francisco, FAITH vice president and NCAA South organizing committee chair, in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch in Manila.

Francisco said that FAITH has chosen this year’s NCAA South theme as “More than a Game, Unity through Sport,” underscoring the cooperation of all 10 school members in making the league a success.

Aside from the host school, a key hub for IT learning in the Calabarzon region, the other NCAA South members are Letran-Calamba, Lyceum University-Batangas, PCU-Dasma, San Beda-Alabang, La Salle-Lipa, University of Batangas, Perpetual-Biñan, Don Bosco-Mandaluyong and San Pablo Colleges.

Joining Francisco in the session supported by Pagcor, Outlast Battery and Shakey’s were FAITH sports director Lito Arim, NCAA Management Committee chairman, and FAITH Braveheart men’s basketball team captain Arnelito Amatoria.

The opening ceremonies, which will be preceded by a morning motorcade around the town, will be graced by PSC commissioner and former national swimming standout Akiko Thomson and FAITH president Saturnino Belen, Francisco said.

On the other hand, Arim said the opening games will be in men’s and women’s volleyball pitting the FAITH against the University of Batangas.

Aside from volleyball and basketball, Arim said the first semester will also include chess while swimming, beach volleyball and taekwondo will be added to the second semester calendar of events.

Francisco disclosed that unlike the previous nine seasons, FAITH was able to convince the NCAA South Board to have an overall championship to be awarded in both the senior and junior divisions “to recognize and reward the efforts by member schools in actively participating in our athletic activities.”

She added that her school, which was also one of the founding members of the North Batangas Open League (NOBOL), likes its chances of snaring the overall crown, citing last year’s Final 4 finish of the FAITH Bravehearts in men’s basketball.

“Hopefully, under our coach Mel Alas we are eyeing a better finish than last season,” said Amatoria, a graduating student, of their chances this year.