St. Claire-AMA tussle kicks off Naascu caging

THE NATIONAL Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities uncorks its biggest season today with a record 14 member schools, TV coverage, PBA-level officiating and a new commissioner in sportsman Fritz Gaston.

Naascu president Ernest Jay Adalem bared the innovations for the league’s 16th season, signifying the continues growth of the league which formally opens with a four-game basketball schedule at Cuneta Astrodome.

“We are growing as a league through the years but this has been our biggest growth spurt so far,’ said Adalem. “It allowed us to continue in our quest to help in the discovery of the country’s next best athletes.”

Adalem said they are also looking at including weightlifting, in honor of Rio Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, as well as putting in more track and field events this season to add to their 10-sport calendar.

Former champions St. Clare College and AMA Computer College collide in the opener at 11 a.m., while City University of Pasay and Colegio de San Lorenzo tangle at 12:30 p.m.

Fatima faces Philippine Merchant Marine School at 2 p.m., while Philippine Christian University tangles with Lyceum of Subic Bay at 3:30 p.m.

“We have also finalized our agreement with the PBA to use their referees for the games which should upgrade our officiating,” added Adalem, also the secretary general of the Philippine Handball Association.

The games will also have a regular coverer in BasketballTV/Solar Sports which will air the action Mondays to Saturdays at 2 to 6 p.m.

Joining this season are new member schools like PMMS, CDSL, Enderun College, De Ocampo Memorial College and Manuel L. Quezon University.

They will have to put up agains league regulars like SCC, AMA, CUP, Fatima, LSB, PCU, New Era, Eulogio Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology and Rizal Technological University.