12 teams banner UCLAA Invitational Tournament

The United Central Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA) basketball tournament kicks off hostilities on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) and Mini Convention Center in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The league will feature the top collegiate basketball players from different school in the region. The 12 teams are host DHVSU, Holy Angel University, Angeles University Foundation, Systems Plus College Foundation, Lyceum of Subic Bay, Colegio De Sebastian, Tarlac State University, Nueva Ecija University Science & Technology, National University Clark, Tarlac Agricultural University, St. Nicolas College of Business & Technology and Mary the Queen College of Pampanga.

In an online interview with The Philippine Basketball Diaries, UCLAA Chairman Virgilio “Gil” Cortez cited the importance of the league in the development of players in Central Luzon. Cortez, the PBA’s first Rookie of the Year in 1976 who is also the Regional Director of the Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) in Region 3, aims to train their up and coming players where they can be discovered by various talent scouts and managers.

“This is part of our grassroots program to continuously find new talents in the provinces, especially here in Central Luzon. I’ve always believed that our best talents in Philippine basketball history – from Caloy Loyzaga to Bay Mumar to Robert Jaworski to Ramon Fernandez to Jayson Castro to Junemar Fajardo – were discovered while playing in cemented basketball courts in their respective barangays and provinces. The teeming potential for talent is always there, it’s just a matter of giving them the opportunities to be discovered,” Cortez explained.

Cortez’s province, Pampanga, for one, has produced the biggest basketball talents in the country. The 6’4 director rattled off a list of top-tiered talents that his province has produced. “There are the likes of Ed Ocampo, Carlos Badion and Fely Fajardo, and those who came from the 70’s includes Jojo de Guzman and Ato Tolentino. We also have two PBA MVP’s in Ato Agustin and Arwind Santos and another PBA’s Greatest 40 players member in Jayson Castro. Not to mention the likes of Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva, Dennis Espino, recent PBA top draft pick Justine Baltazar, and multi-titled coach Yeng Guiao. We’re proud of our contribution to Philippine basketball and we hope to continue with this success,” Cortez said.

The UCLAA is sanctioned by the SBP and endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The league is backed by the Laus Group of Companies, Smart Communications, Inc., the MVP Sports Foundation, Inc., the Balibago Waterworks Systems, Inc. and Balipure purified drinking water.