The sixty-two member schools of the Negros Occ. Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association will converge at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum on September 7 for the opening of its 35 th Season, sports committee interim manager Roger Banzuela yesterday said.

He said tournament managers and coaches are scheduled to meet on September 1 to discuss the schedule of the competitions and other details for this year's NOPSSCEA Season.

Banzuela admitted that they are pressed for time as the competing schools are yet to submit their requirements, but he is confident that everything can be ironed out and competitions will proceed smoothly.

WNU-STI sports official Anthony Carlo Agustin said their teams are ready in all levels of the competition, while Eric Rios of UNO-R said their college teams are ready and they are now finalizing the high school and elementary lineups.

USLS Varsity Sports Office head Malot Lozada said the Stingers are ready not only for the NOPSSCEA competition but also for the other sporting events lineup up this year.

“We have to be ready as we will be facing a lot of challenges in the coming year,” Lozada said, as she pointed out the changes in the region's sporting scene with the creation of the Negros Island Region.

Lozada said everybody should do their part and ensure that all school-based sporting events lined up this year will proceed smoothly for the sake of the student-athletes.

We cannot let our student-athletes down simply because of some misunderstandings and confusion. We need to work and get our acts together, Lozada said.

Meanwhile, cCalling for support and cooperation of all the member schools, Banzuela said they might have to push back the schedule of the games, particularly, in men's basketball, where nine teams will be competing this year.

Heading the list of contenders for this year's men's basketball crown is Season 34 champion West Negros University – STI Mustangs, runner-up University of St. La Salle Stingers, Season 33 champion University of Neg. Occ.-Recoletos, and Colegio San Agustin –Bacolod Eagles.

Joining them are VMA-Global College, Colegio Sta. Ana – Victorias, Southland College – Kabankalan, La Consolacion College, and Sacred Heart Seminary.

Another side event in NOPSSCEA Season 35 is the Faculty Games that kicked off last week.

Members of the faculty and administrators of the member schools are competing in men's basketball, men and women's volleyball and men and women's table tennis, Banzuela said.*NAB

back to top

NOPSSCEA Season 35 to open Sept. 7
3rd straight triumph for 1-Series; Chu fires 53 for 2-Series' first win