14th Naascu season Aug. 12 with 10 members

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Christian University and Central Colleges of the Philippines will make their debut while Lyceum of Subic stages a comeback when the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities unveils its 14th season on Aug. 12 at Makati Coliseum.

The addition of the three schools will bring the number of active members to 10 this season, which will be hosted by St. Clare.

The other members are Centro Escolar, Fatima, New Era, City University of Pasay, Rizal Technological and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

St. Clare president Dr. Ernesto Ray Adalem, brother of SCC chair Dr. Ernest Jay Adalem, was named this season’s Naascu chair. Fatima’s Pepe Sanchez is secretary general.

All games will be held at Makati Coliseum. Defending champion CEU will clash with St. Clare in the inaugural match of last year’s finalists.

Naascu has carved a niche in collegiate basketball after St. Clare and CEU came up with decent performances in the recent Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.

“We have come a long way from our humble beginning, and now we are bigger than ever,” said SCC chair Dr. Adalem. Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano have been invited to grace the opening rites.

The league, according to Adalem, will employ referees from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas where he serves as treasurer.