“The role of the UAAP is to help those who participated and discover heroism within themselves in whatever arena they are in not just the athletes."
- University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) 73 President, Bro. Bernie Oca
Who would have realized that its been a year already since FEU hosted a successful UAAP Season? With barely a month and a week to go now before De La Salle University (DLSU) hosts yet another UAAP tournament, the school gave a preview of what should we expect from the 73rd season of the country’s premiere collegiate league. Briefing was held yesterday (June 1) at La Salle’s premises in Taft Avenue Manila where the host school through its president Bro. Bernie Oca has announced that the underlying theme of the upcoming UAAP season is all about “heroes” which will open on July 10th at the Araneta Coliseum. Celebrity Lasalistas who will perform at the opening rites are Gary V., Ogie Alcasid and UAAP athlete himself, Enchong Dee. The school is also paving the way for their centennial celebration by June 2011.
Accordingly, Bro. Oca and the rest of the DLSU community was inspired by the story of President-apparent Noynoy Aquino in coming up with this year’s theme. He said that “by accepting the presidency and becoming a president, those are act of heroism.” Further, they are hoping that through sports, Filipinos would rediscover heroism in themselves.
The UAAP 73 host revealed that they are planning to give a spotlight not only in the field of Basketball, which is undeniably the centerpiece of every UAAP season, but also on other sports showcasing the great talents of “unsung heroes”. Bro. Oca likewise disclosed that they are planning to launch a street dance and drum line competition among participating schools at the closing ceremony of the league to attract people as in its opening. DLSU will also continue the ticketing scheme in major match-ups as instituted by the previous season host, Far Eastern University. Wherein, tickets for the Ateneo-La Salle game, for instance will again be sold separately from the other game featured in the day’s double-header. The said ticketing scheme was employed not only to provide more fans with tickets, but also to limit scalping.
La Salle Archers is scheduled to battle it out against UP Fighting Maroons on the opening day. Other schedules are not yet confirmed, but the highly anticipated DLSU-Ateneo match is already tentatively set on July 24/25.
UPDATE: Click here for the Men’s Basketball Schedule
