UCLAA ushers in 10th season on September 13
Jay P. Mercado
The 10th basketball season of the United Central Luzon Athletic Association officially kicks off this Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Pampanga State University in Bacolor, Pampanga, this year’s UCLAA hosts. Assembly time will be at 8AM with the program proper to start at 9AM.
The annual event, organized and sanctioned by the Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Region III under the able leadership of SBP Region III Director and UCLAA Chairmanprov, Virgilio “Gil” Cortez, is part of the organizing group’s continuous commitment to youth development, excellence in education as well as active partnership in fostering sportsmanship and unity in Central Luzon.
Ten schools will take part in the tournament. These include defending champion Pampanga State University, last year’s runners-up Angeles University Foundation, Holy Angel University, System’s Plus College Foundation, Mabalacat City College, Marian College of Baliwag, St. Nicolas College of Business and Technology, National University Clark, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, and Tarlac Agricultural College.
Expected to grace the opening ceremonies are big names in Philippine basketball, including 2003 PBA MVP Asi Taulava, 2013 and 2015 Asia’s best point guard Jayson Castro, former Gilas players Japeth Aguilar and Gary David, NLEX Road Warriors sentinels Dominick Fajardo, Michael Miranda and Jonnel Policarpio. Cortez will provide the inspirational message and the declaration of the opening of the UCLAA 10th season.
The UCLAA basketball tournament is presented by SMART, PLDT, the MVP Sports Foundation, Balibago, Waterworks, the Laus Group of Companies, Balipure and the Philippine Sports Commission. It will also be covered via livestream through Smart Sports, CLTV 36, and the UCLAA FB page.
