Naascu kicks off new season

MANILA—University of Manila kicks off its title retention bid against rival STI on Friday at the start of the 2011-2012 season of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities at the Makati Coliseum.

The UM-STI showdown will usher in the league’s 11th season, which will have a 10-team field that also includes STI, Fatima, AMA, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay, New Era College, Informatics College, host St. Clare and newcomer Grace College.

STI’s Mel Garrido said the league invited Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Sonny Barrios and Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Chito Salud as guests of honor for the opening ceremonies.

“We encountered some problems in the past, but we managed to weather the storm,” said Garrido at the PSA Forum yesterday at Shakey’s UN Avenue. “And we hope to soar to greater heights during the coming season.”

Seniors, juniors and women’s basketball open the league’s calendar of events for the first semester, while the second half will have competitions in volleyball, cheerdance, chess, table tennis, swimming, track and field, badminton and billiards.

“Naascu takes pride of being the only college league which offers billiards as part of its calendar of sports,” added Garrido.