Lipa City, Batangas — September 13, 2025. The 26th Season of the Southern Luzon Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SLCUAA) officially opened on September 13, 2025, at the De La Salle Lipa Sentrum, which came alive with energy and school spirit as 19 member schools from Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna marched in, proudly showcasing unity, pride, and camaraderie under this year’s theme, “Never shall we fail.”
The opening program began with the entrance and presentation of participating teams and board members, followed by the much-anticipated presentation of muses. Representing the University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC) Brahmans was Ms. Ellaine Julia R. Agdon of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Strand, who carried the school’s banner with poise and pride.
In her welcome remarks, Dr. Teodosia Merlin C. Suarez, Chancellor of De La Salle Lipa, underscored the transformative role of sports in holistic education. Drawing from Nelson Mandela’s story on unity through sports, she reminded athletes that competitions teach discipline, perseverance, humility in victory, and grace in defeat. “Sports have the power to change the world. They inspire, unite, and break barriers,” Dr. Suarez said, encouraging participants to embrace values that extend beyond the court and field.
The event also featured a keynote address from Atty. Erika Dy, Executive Director and Secretary-General of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Highlighting the importance of grassroots competitions, she stressed that leagues like SLCUAA help shape the future of Philippine sports. “Every effort, every hustle, every sacrifice… becomes part of what we collectively know as Philippine sports,” she said, inspiring student-athletes to play with passion, discipline, and heart in the spirit of this year’s theme.
The festive ceremony concluded with cheers and camaraderie, setting the stage for weeks of competition across multiple sports disciplines. Guided by the call “Never shall we fail,” SLCUAA Season 26 is poised to showcase athletic excellence while fostering unity, resilience, and holistic growth among athletes, coaches, and mentors.
As one of the proud member institutions of SLCUAA, the University of Batangas continues to actively support this long-standing tradition of sportsmanship and excellence, strengthening its commitment to the holistic development of its student-athletes and community.