By Aljon P. Tugaoen
 

The longest-running sports dynasty in the region, and probably in the entire Philippines, is all set to aim for an 18th overall championship. 

Mariano Marcos State University sent 340 athletes and artists to the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association - Region 1 (SCUAA-1) Olympics and Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Regional Culture and Arts Festival 2022. After a two-year halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the sports olympics and culture and arts festival has been formally opened this afternoon in Lingayen, Pangasinan, with the Pangasinan State University as host. 
 

The MMSU delegation is composed of 279 athletes, 61 performers and artists, 76 coaches, and over a hundred support staff. 
 

In the five-day regional meet, the Stallions will see action in all 28 disciplines: 19 sports events and 9 culture and arts contests.
 

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis motivated the athletes, artists, performers, and coaches to gallop into victory and uphold MMSU’s supremacy in SCUAA-1. 
 

“We will never settle for less, we will always strive for greatness to achieve our 18th championship,” PSCA told the MMSU delegation. 

At the helm of the MMSU campaign is Prof. Rowell Tagatac, director of the Center for Human Movements Studies, with cultural development chief Maybelline Sta. Maria and sports development chief Angelo Lamsen as co-heads. Now retired, Prof. Arsenio Gallego, the longest serving CHuMS director, serves as consultant. 
 

“We have poured in so much heart in our preparation, and with the support of the entire university community, the Stallions are ready not just to defend but to dominate,” Prof. Tagatac said, citing the month-long training of the MMSU representatives.
 

The MMSU Stallions are competing against the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, North Luzon Philippines State College, and Pangasinan State University.
 

Winners will be recognized during the closing program on Friday, Nov. 25. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)