INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – In yesterday’s UAAP opening ceremonies, a mythical creature became a unifying symbol for alumni and students who flocked to the Araneta Coliseum adorned in their respective school colors.

The Big Dome was teeming with different hues of gold and black, yellow and green, green and white, maroon and green, blue and white, red and white, navy blue and yellow – representing eight member UAAP schools

But unity in diversity marked the opening ceremonies of UAAP Season 72.

Host school Far Eastern U gave a dashing performance as students, dressed in white fitting garments, swayed to rhythm of the UAAP hymn.

“FEU is honored to host the UAAP, the birth place of good athletes. UAAP is an effective way to solidify school spirit,” said Dr. Lydia Echauz, president of FEU, during her opening address.

A student dressed as a “sarimanok”, bearing the colors of the eight member universities, got the audience cheering as it hovered above during the ongoing performance.

“A sarimanok is a Filipino mythical animal. It is a good symbol because all the colors come together, which represents our one color, one goal theme,” said UAAP president Anton Montinola.

Montinola and US ambassador Kristie Kenney did the ceremonial toss prior to the first game between University of Santo Tomas and Adamson Falcons.

“I just enjoy sports. It’s always fun to watch and even better, it represents great school spirit and friendship,” said Kenney, who admitted to being a basketball fan. “Collegiate sports in the US is very similar with the Philippines.”

UST was also given recognition as last year’s overall champion in both senior and junior divisions.

Montinola, meanwhile, touched on the issue of game-fixing. (See the Inquirer’s three-part report on game-fixing in the collegiate leagues here.)

“It’s sad because we are in a collegiate basketball. We have to educate our players.
We won’t tolerate any misbehavior and we’re providing them enough security as we can,” said Montinola.

Part of the UAAP’s efforts to curb game-fixing is acquiring the best referees from professional and amateur leagues.

“For the first time in history of UAAP, we have chosen the best referees from the PBL and the PBA. The whole point here is that these referees officiate for a living. So if they misbehave, their mother leagues, the PBA and the PBL will sanction them, and they risk losing their career,” said Montinola.

Moreover, Montinola is hoping the other sports get more exposure aside from basketball being the centerpiece event.

“We have moved volleyball to the second semester. Cheering competition is a big event in itself. We hope to be able to develop other sports in the same way,” said Montinola.

“We will keep trying to improve the UAAP and cater to a wider set of sports,” he added.

Established in 1938, UAAP member schools are Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, De la Salle University, University of the Philippines, National University, Far Eastern University, University of the East, and University of Santo Tomas.