WNCAA Officials and school representatives launch the 55th season of the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Dizon Hall of host Assumption Antipolo on Wednesday (Sept. 11). Leading the launch and press conference are (from left) Assumption Antipolo Student Affairs and Services director Maria Luz San Andres and directress Marie Grace Magtaas; and WNCAA chairperson Ma. Vivian Manila, president Juanita Alamillo and secretary general Ma. Angelica dela Cruz. WNCAA photo

WNCAA Season 55 opens Saturday with 16 teams

September 13, 2024 People's Tonight 117 views

THE 55th season of the WNCAA (Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association) will kick off Saturday at host school Assumption Antipolo with 16 participating teams, including two returning members.

Assumption Antipolo, Assumption College San Lorenzo (Makati), 1l-straight senior basketball champion Centro Escolar University (CEU), Chiang Kai Shek College, De La Salle Zobel, La Salle College Antipolo, Miriam College, Philippine Women’s University, San Beda College Alabang, St. Jude Catholic School, St. Paul College Pasig, St. Scholastica’s College (Manila), St. Stephen’s High School, and University of Asia & the Pacific will welcome back University of Makati and University of Santo Tomas-Angelicum College to the country’s first and only tri-level league for women.

The opening ceremonies at Assumption Antipolo will start at 10 a.m., followed by the volleyball competition at 1 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Championing and Empowering Women in Sports.”

Basketball will kick off Sunday at Chiang Kai Shek main campus in Tondo, Manila, while futsal will start on Sept. 22, with the venue to be announced later.

The street dance competition will be in December while the other events will be held during the first quarter of 2025.

Chess, badminton, swimming, taekwondo, poomsae, table tennis, tennis, cheer dance/cheerleading, and 3×3 basketball will be held during the first quarter of 2025.

“As in the past years, all schools are committed to play their best. They will always strive to bring out the best in their players,” WNCAA chairperson Ma. Vivian Manila said during the season launch.

She said the WNCAA is proud to be a grassroots league, with some professional and national players tracing their roots to the league.

One notable WNCAA product is Gilas Pilipinas Women’s Janine Pontejos, a four-time Most Valuable Player for the CEU Lady Scorpions.

She will be part of the CEU coaching staff this season.

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