ELEVATE!

Ni Edwin Rollon

LABING-ISANG koponan sa ika-11 Season.

Tunay na makasaysayan para sa Management Committee (ManCom) ng Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA) ang pagbubukas ng pinakabagong season ng pinakamalaking collegiate league sa bansa -- sa labas ng premyadong UAAP at NCAA – sa Setyembre 19 sa MOA Arena sa Pasay City.

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“Elevate. This year’s team is about the league’s continuing effort to uplift the spirits and instil discipline among our students. Through the years, the league is helping our athletes in their quest for sports excellence and academic success,” pahayag ni ISAA president Ruel Dela Rosa ng Manila Tytana Colleges  sa kanyang pagbisita sa ‘Usapang Sports’ ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) kahapon sa National Press Club sa Intramuros, Manila.

Kasama ni Dela Rosa na nagbigay ng kanilang mensahe at magiging kaganapan sa opening ceremony sa Huwebes (Setyembre 19) sina ManCom member Andres Cristobal (Vice President),  Melanie Florentino ng  FEATI University (Treasurer), Raul Santos, Dave Lozano at Jae Delos Santos.

“Marami pong aktibidad sa opening ceremony. Basketball action starts in the morning before the opening ceremony at noon. Ms. ISAA 2019 will also be crowned,” pahayag ni Florentino.

Iginiit naman ni Cristobal na homegrown athletes lamang pinayagang palaruin sa ISAA hindi lamang sa basketball bagkus sa lahat ng events na lalaruin ngayong taon kabilang na ang volleyball, swimming, table tennis, badminton, chess, bowling at futsal.

“We’re focusing on homegrown talents. Foreign players might add excitement particularly in basketball, but we opted not to tap them to give local athletes an opportunity to excel and became successful in life after college years,” pahayag ni Cristobal.

Taliwas sa tradisyunal na opening ceremony, walang inimbitahan ang ISAA ng mataas na opisyal sa pamahalaan, pulitiko at celebrities upang masiguro na nakatuon ang pansin ng lahat sa kagitingan at tagumpay ng mga atleta.

“We decided not to invites big names in the opening ceremony. But right now, as a show of respect, I personally invite Grandmaster Eugene Torre to grace our opening ceremony. It’s a big honor, Sir,” pahayag ni Dela Rosa, patungkol  kay Asia’s First chess Grandmaster na kasabay nilang naging panauhin sa lingguhang sports forum na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Community Basketball Association (CBA), at HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drink.

Bago ang opening ceremony, magtutuos sa unang laro ganap na 8:00 ng umaga ang La Consolacion College-Manila at Immaculada Concepcion College of North Caloocan, kasunod ang salpukan ng Trinity at ICCT College ganap na 9:30 ng umaga. Maghaharap ang LCCM at Manila Adventist College junior team sa 12:30 ng tanghali at magkakasubukan ang Tytana at AirLink International Aviation College sa alas 2:00 ng hapon.

Maghaharap ang PATTS at Treston ganap na 3:30 ng hapon kasunod ang duwelo sa pagitan ng FEATI at Philippine Women’s University ganap na 5:00 ng hapon.

“Naghanda po kami ng simple, ngunit makabuluhang programa sa opening ceremony. Nakalatag din po ang Choral Festival at Street Dance Competitions,” sambit ni Florentino.