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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider CEU still the team to beat in UCAL Season 8

CEU still the team to beat in UCAL Season 8

Published Oct 8, 2025 02:40 pm

At A Glance

  • Despite falling short of entering last year's finals, three-time champion and host Centro Escolar University is still seen as the team to beat in the 8th Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL) men's basketball tournament.
CEU Scorpion (CEU)
CEU Scorpion (CEU)
Despite falling short of entering last year’s finals, three-time champion and host Centro Escolar University is still seen as the team to beat in the 8th Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL) men’s basketball tournament.
Less than five months before basketball action begins, all squads are bracing for a tight contest, with the Scorpions eager to return to their familiar territory and the reigning champion Olivarez College ready to defend the throne.
“Siyempre lahat ng teams nag-improve, may winning culture kasi yang ceu, I think mage-excel sila this season,” said Philippine Women’s University Patriots coach Victorino G. Lazaro II.
“Siguro, seeing last season’s results, Olivarez and PCU are going to be a contender again… but of course, year by year naman, laging contender ang CEU,” added Lyceum of the Philippines- Batangas Pirates mentor JC Nuyles.
But for Joe Silva, who is returning to the squad as CEU's head coach, Olivarez, PCU-Dasmariñas, Manila Central University, and Diliman College remain as big threats in the basketball tournament.
“I still think Olivarez, PCU-Dasma, MCU, ta’s Diliman, I think sila pa rin ‘tong mga top contenders, the rest naman lumakas din pero, of course, within UCAL landscapes sila talaga ‘yong malakas,” said Silva.
Last April, the Sea Lions captured their first-ever UCAL basketball crown after beating the Dolphins in a rubber match with Patrick Panelo taking the Finals MVP plum and Allen Vergara draining the dagger for Olivarez.
For this year, men’s basketball unfurls in February and is expected to conclude late April.
Meanwhile, the first-semester schedule is made up of several sports in volleyball, which starts on Oct. 14, and streetdance on the opening day on Thursday, Oct. 9, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Esports, on the other hand, might open in the first week of December.

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