2025 MMSU UniGames opens under clear skies
The clear skies after Super Typhoon Uwan, which affected Northern Luzon, witnessed each contending college’s fiery will to clinch the championship trophies in the 2025 MMSU UniGames.
Packed with the spirit of sportsmanship, student-athletes, artists, coaches, trainers, and officials of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) gathered for the opening of the annual UniGames held on November 13, officially marking the beginning of this year’s battle for athletic and cultural excellence.
With the theme “Top Seed to Succeed,” the annual UniGames brings together participants from the university’s various colleges and campuses. The competing teams include the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) Tamaraws; College of Arts and Sciences and College of Dentistry (CAS and COD) Wizards; College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT) Blue Marlins; College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA) Eagles; College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS) Phoenix; College of Health Sciences (CHS) Knights; College of Industrial Technology (CIT) Red Lions; College of Teacher Education (CTE) Rabbis; College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Grey Wolves; and the College of Engineering (COE) Maroons.
In his message, MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. inspired the athletes to go beyond their limits and uphold the university’s legacy of excellence. “You should always be motivated to give your best, as you also continue to inspire others to do the same,” he said.
Dr. Manzano emphasized the administration’s strong support for sports development, announcing plans to double the cash incentives for gold medalists. He also expressed his vision for MMSU to produce national and ASEAN champions, urging athletes to not only maintain their training pace but also to become more strategic and driven in their preparation.
University Student Council Executive Chairperson Edriane Gerby Maloom also addressed the participants, recognizing their dedication and hard work. “Rooted in grit, poise, excellence, and iron will, the new generation of greatness is about to be determined once again,” he declared, challenging the athletes to rise to the occasion.
According to Prof. Ryan Dean Sucgang, Director of the MMSU Human Movement and Artistic Innovation Center, this year’s UniGames adopts a medal tally system similar to that used in the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Games and the Olympics. Under this system, rankings are determined based on the number of gold medals earned, with separate overall champions declared for sports and cultural events. Prof. Sucgang also mentioned the return of literary competitions to the cultural events category after a decade of non-inclusion, signaling a renewed appreciation for the arts alongside athletics.
Sports Development Chief Prof. Floresto Franco, Jr. introduced several new features to this year’s games, including the debut of pickleball and the addition of medley and mixed relays in athletics. He also noted growing interest in archery and swimming, while highlighting efforts to improve performances in athletics and arnis through the recruitment of promising players and the provision of specialized trainers.
Among this year’s highlights is the launching of the official MMSU Mascot, which drew enthusiastic cheers from students, faculty members, and university officials, as they warmly welcomed it.
The spirit of sportsmanship was symbolically ignited during the torch-lighting ceremony, led by Julian Philippe Tablada, a 2025 National State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (NSCUAA) medalist, who served as the torchbearer. The flame was relayed to Vice Presidents Bjorn Santos and Aris Cajigal, who collectively lit the athletic urn to officially open the UniGames. April Ann Garcia, a gold medalist in women’s shot put at the 2025 NSCUAA, led the Oath of Amateurism on behalf of all participating athletes.
Last year’s overall champions, the College of Engineering Maroons, are back to defend their decade-long dominance after clinching the 2024 UniGames trophy under the previous combined sports and cultural points system. (𝘚𝘊𝘐)
Nov, 17, 2025 04:06:pm
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STRATCOM
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