UA tandem reigns AASP badminton cup

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- The University of the Assumption (UA) Junior Pelicans doubles team reined the 11th Association of Archdiocesan Schools of Pampanga meet (AASP) badminton competition, girls division, over the weekend at the Archbishop Emilio Cinense gymnasium, this city.
The tandem of Ma. Luciana Garcia and Rochellie Manalo, both second year high schools students from UA remained undefeated going into the finals facing their rivals from St. Augustine Academy of Pampanga (SAAP) from Floridablanca town.
During the finals, Garcia and Manalo gave no breather to their opponents, closing the championship match in two straight sets.
Also, Eryl Arenas (UA singles A), playing her final AASP tournament bested other participants in her division.
Arenas beat Marielle Nucum of St. Andrews Academy from Candaba town in the finals while Diana Maguicay (UA singles B) placed second after losing to Krissa Limson of St. Andrews Academy in their final match.
Meanwhile, AASP meet is an annual gathering of all Archdiocesan schools in the province with sports, cheerdance and cultural competitions.
It aims to develop the spirit of unity and cooperation among the students and teachers including administrators and employees of the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Pampanga through sports, cultural and other competitions.
For this year, St. Catherine Learning Center in Porac town was designated as the host school while the games and other activities were housed at the UA gymnasium.
There was also a Marian and Bible quiz to develop a renewed love and devotion to the Mother God and the Bible among the students, teachers, administrators and employees as well as their families.
For his part, AASP Superintendent and UA President Bishop Roberto Mallari said AASP meet is a part of the month-long Catholic Education Consciousness celebration.
The prelate said that this is to highlight and promote the distinctive contributions of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese as well as to provide a venue for sharing and shaping of Catholic identity of Catholic schools and in making religion as the core of the curriculum.
He also said that this will also forge cooperation among parish leaders and catholic administrators in the promotion of catholic education and to develop a spirit of unity and cooperation among the administrators, teachers, employees and students of catholic schools in the Archdiocese.
“Let us join hands in making Catholic education an important mould into which our children will be formed as responsible Christian leaders and professionals, agents of peace and social change,” said Mallari.
(Raymond C. Garcia)