UCAL season 8 opens Oct 9 with new sports

The Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL) will launch its eighth season on October 9 at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Badminton and table tennis are the two new sports added to the program, which will debut in the second semester.

Street dance will open the league's festivities, with Centro Escolar University (CEU) aiming to defend its crown.

Volleyball matches are scheduled to begin on October 14 at the University of Batangas.

UCAL chairman Horacio Lim stated that the league is developmental and aims to develop players, even if they are recruited by other leagues.

A former back-to-back titlist in men's basketball, CEU chases another championship against a field led by reigning champion Olivarez College, with the basketball event firing off on Feb. 5 at the Paco Arena.

Host Centro Escolar University and eight other member schools will compete in the upcoming season.