MANILA – The 55th season of the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) unwraps Saturday with 16 participating schools, including two returning members.
University of Makati and University of Santo Tomas-Angelicum College will rejoin the country’s first and only tri-level league for women.
Other members are host Assumption Antipolo, where the season launch was held Wednesday, Assumption College San Lorenzo (Makati), 1l-straight senior basketball champion Centro Escolar University (CEU), Chiang Kai Shek College, De La Salle Zobel, La Salle College Antipolo, Miriam College, Philippine Women’s University, San Beda College Alabang, St. Jude Catholic School, St. Paul College Pasig, St. Scholastica’s College (Manila), St. Stephen’s High School, and University of Asia & the Pacific.
They will compete in basketball, volleyball, futsal, chess, badminton, swimming, taekwondo, poomsae, table tennis, tennis, cheer dance/cheerleading, street dance and 3x3 basketball.
The opening ceremonies at Assumption Antipolo will start at 10 a.m., followed by the volleyball competition at 1 p.m.
This year’s theme is “Championing and Empowering Women in Sports.”
Basketball will kick off Sunday at Chiang Kai Shek main campus in Tondo, Manila while futsal will start on Sept. 22, with the venue to be announced later.
The street dance competition will be in December while the other events will be held during the first quarter of 2025.
“As in the past years, all schools are committed to play their best. They will always strive to bring out the best in their players,” WNCAA chairperson Ma. Vivian Manila said during the season launch.
She said the WNCAA is proud to be a grassroots league, with some professional and national players tracing their roots to the league.
“Recently, Bianca Pagdanganan finished fourth in the Paris Olympics. She was a product of Assumption Antipolo,” Manila said, referring to the world-class golfer.
Another notable WNCAA product is Gilas Pilipinas Women's Janine Pontejos, a four-time Most Valuable Player with the CEU Lady Scorpions.
Pontejos will be part of the CEU coaching staff this season. (PNA)
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