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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Beyond the Scoreboard: UCLAA's 10th Season and the Promise of Grassroots Basketball

Beyond the Scoreboard: UCLAA's 10th Season and the Promise of Grassroots Basketball

Published Sep 8, 2025 10:04 pm

At A Glance

  • The United Central Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA) is set to mark a milestone as it opens its 10th season on Sept. 13, at the Pampanga State University gymnasium. Staying true to its grassroots mission, the league continues to work with the SBP, the Philippine Sports Commission, and local government units to discover and develop new basketball talent in the region.
The United Central Luzon Athletic Association is all set for a brand new season, continuing its drive to potentially discover untapped talent in Region 3. (Gil Cortez)
The United Central Luzon Athletic Association is all set for a brand new season, continuing its drive to potentially discover untapped talent in Region 3. (Gil Cortez)
Beyond the Game 
Beyond the Scoreboard: UCLAA’s 10th Season and the Promise of Grassroots Basketball
By Brian Yalung
The United Central Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA) is set to mark a milestone as it opens its 10th season on Sept. 13, at the Pampanga State University gymnasium. Staying true to its grassroots mission, the league continues to work with the SBP, the Philippine Sports Commission, and local government units to discover and develop new basketball talent in the region.
According to UCLAA chairman and SBP Region 3 Regional Director Virgilio “Gil” Cortez, three teams will participate for the first time in the annual tournament. The newcomers are Marian College of Baliuag, National University Clark, and Mabalacat City College.
The three new teams will join seven holdover members, namely Angeles University Foundation, Holy Angel University, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, St. Nicolas College of Business and Technology, Systems Plus College Foundation, Tarlac Agricultural University, and Pampanga State University.
Cortez admitted that the UCLAA’s 10th season was originally supposed to feature 16 teams. Unfortunately, some schools were unable to submit their requirements on time, while others had trouble completing their rosters due to eligibility issues.
“Actually, the number of teams was supposed to be 16. Unfortunately, there were schools that were unable to submit the needed requirements on time. Also, there were schools that had problems with their players due to academics,” the former PBA player and now basketball executive explained in Tagalog.
Unfortunate as it was, the show must go on. But for Cortez, the dream of expanding the league moving forward remains alive. For now, the focus is on pushing their grassroots initiative, with hopes of unearthing locally bred talent and giving deserving players from Region 3 a break.
The tournament festivities kick off at 8:00 a.m. Opening remarks will be given by Dr. Enrique Baking, President of Pampanga State U, while Hon. Eduardo "Diman" Datu, Mayor of the Municipality of Bacolor, will deliver the welcome message.
Hon. Ron Dungca, Vice Mayor of Bacolor, will deliver the message of unity. UCLAA chairman Gil Cortez will close the program with an inspirational talk before declaring the games open.
The opening at Pampanga State U will serve as the first leg of the tournament. The second leg will be hosted by Holy Angel University, the third by Systems Plus College Foundation, and the fourth by Angeles University Foundation.
Also set to grace the event are several former Gilas and PBA players. That includes Asi Taulava, Dominick Fajardo, Michael Miranda, Jonnel Policarpio, Gary David, Jayson Castro, and Japeth Aguilar.
Cortez cordially invites everyone to watch the games, which will be aired live courtesy of Smart Sports. To broaden its reach, basketball fans can also catch the action on CLTV 36 and the official UCLAA Facebook page.
The fact that the league has reached its 10th season is remarkable. The UCLAA continues to push its grassroots program, an initiative that provides overlooked local basketball talent a chance to take a significant step toward the next level.
For Cortez, the league’s real victory goes beyond its decade-long run. He believes the UCLAA can become a launchpad for untapped talent in Central Luzon — and perhaps the breeding ground for the country’s next national team stars.
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