Batangas U cagers gun for 3rd UCCL title

MANILA, Philippines — University of Batangas is heavily tipped to capture a third men’s basketball championship in the United Calabarzon Collegiate League (UCCL) and represent the region anew in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League this year.

But the UB Brahmans know that defending the UCCL crown won’t be as easy with contenders like De La Salle Dasmariñas and First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (Faith).

“We have lured many schools in Calabarzon and a lot of them have a strong chance,” said UCCL tournament director Lito Arim in the PSA Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate.

The eighth season of the UCCL, formerly known as the North Batangas Open League, kicked off last weekend with 841 athletes from 16 colleges and universities and 10 high schools.

Arim said the league plans to add track and field soon in its list of sporting events, which includes volleyball, football, beach volleyball and chess.