The game is on once again as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) LXXIX opening games unfold on September 4 Sunday, (Manila Time), 2:00 p.m. and air live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action and The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) platforms in key countries worldwide.

Launching with a new battle cry “Dare to Dream,” the UAAP LXXIX President from host University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Fr. Ermito de Sagun says the challenge first goes out to the alumni to influence the youth through values and motivate them to succeed. Most importantly, de Sagun says the challenge comes with a call for athletes to effect change – to serve as models to their fans who emulate them so their adherence to the ethical values in every game is essential.

Fr. De Sagun explains: “So many people are watching sports and supposedly they (athletes) are heroes.” “We expect that all the players, all the athletes will behave properly in a way they can really inspire people. So we expect them to do better, not only with regard to their skills but also with their ethical standards. There should be no cheating, no drugs, or even cheating in their achievements and so forth.”

The opening games will in fact air live worldwide on ABS-CBN Sports + Action and all TFC platforms so the role of media especially of both, is important to rally UAAP’s battle cry.

According to ABS-CBN Integrated Sports Head Dino Laurena, “The values in sports reach out very, very strongly and that is our reason for launching our channel – because we don’t want to view this as a sports channel but to be an advocate for development not just for the athletes but everyone who watches the games.”

This season, de Sagun is also aiming to lead by example by adhering to the values of prudence and accountability. A simple opening ceremony on September 3 (Manila time) at the UST Grounds is being planned by the host university. However, the launch will be patterned after the recent Rio Olympics, where athletes from the different sports will parade. Also, instead of having the opening games the same day, they will be moved to the next day, September 4.

There are also a lot of other highlights to anticipate this season as Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles; De La Salle (DLSU) Green Archers; Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws; National University (NU) Bulldogs; University of the East (UE) Warriors; University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting and Lady Maroons; Adamson University (AdU) Falcons and University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers battle it out with this greater call and bigger challenges in Men’s and Women’s Basketball; Women’s Volleyball; Women’s Football; Streetdance; and Cheerdance competitions and possibly dance sport.

A new line-up of players is also expected for the teams of ADMU Blue Eagles and FEU Tamaraws as some of the former ADMU players moved to a different team. Hubert Cani and Arvin Tolentino are now with the FEU Tamaraws and will join their new team in defending last year’s championship title.

Jeron Teng will also go all out in playing for DLSU Green Archers (DLSU) as he is down to his final year with the team.

UAAP fans are also looking forward to the head-on battle between brother coaches Franz and Derrick Pumaren who are coaching AdU Falcons and UE Warriors, respectively.

The coaches also made their fearless forecast in the traditional coaches’s assessment and predicted the DLSU Green Archers as the team to beat.

Fr. De Sagun is also glad with Kapamilyas’ overseas’ continued interest in the sport. “Everybody loves sports, especially sports they play and which carry the names of their schools. Also somehow, schools are like families also. So it somehow reunites their school spirit,” he ends.

Catch these exciting matches from the eight participating universities every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday starting 2 p.m. (Manila Time). UAAP LXXIX could be watched live via TFC platforms in North America, Europe, Middle East and other parts of Asia. UAAP LXXIX will also be streamed via TFC’s official online platform TFC.tv. Connect with other global Kapamilyas and sports fans via @KapamilyaTFC on Twitter and Instagram.