RTU fancied to cop 4 titles in NCRAA

MANILA, Philippines - Host Rizal Technological University is expected to fight it out for the title in at least four fronts when the 21st National Capital Region Athletic Association season begins competitions in basketball and volleyball next week.

University president Dr. Jesus Rodrigo Torres promised this as RTU hosts the coming season, which starts with the men’s basketball games on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

“Our school teams are always in good fighting form in the NCRAA,” said Rodrigo, referring to men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, following Tuesday’s meeting of coaches and officials.

Seven schools are joining this season, namely RTU, La Salle-Dasmariñas, Philippine Merchant Marine School, St. Clare College, Olivarez College, EmilioAguinaldo-Cavite and Philippine School of Business Administration.

“RTU is emerging as one of the league’s powerhouses and this is a testament to the leadership of the school president Dr. Torres,” said Tisha Abundo of PSBA. “But I’m sure they will have their hands full in the coming season as everyone wants to show their worth.”

Two games will kick off the basketball matches, with the host RTU Blue Thunder taking on the PMMS Mariners at 10 a.m., followed by the game between St. Clare College and the defending champion Olivarez College Sea Lions at 11:30 a.m.

The men’s and women’s volleyball games will reel off the following day at the PMMS gymnasium in Las Piñas.

The RTU Blue Thunder, who won their first crown in the recent Universities and Colleges Athletic Association, will be coached by former La Salle Green Archer Johnedel Cardel.

The Thunder will be one of the teams to beat, alongside the Sea Lions, who will be seeking payback as they lost the UCAA crown to them two months ago.

Last season, the  Sea Lions overcame the Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners, 78-66, for the men’s basketball honors.

In the women’s cagefest, the RTU Lady Thunder retained the women’s crown by outplaying the La Salle-Dasmariñas Lady Patriots, 57-52.  

The La Salle-Dasmariñas Patriots won over the RTU Blue Thunder, 25-23, 26-28, 25-19, 25-18, for the men’s volleyball crown, while the Lady Patriots came off with a 25-19, 25-9, 25-23 triumph in Game 2 of their best-of-three title series with the PSBA Lady Jaguars for the women’s volleyball honors.