Around 300 athletes, 65 coaches and trainers, and 34 support staff, paraded optimism and high morale in the greens and grounds of Pampanga State Agricultural University in Magalang town in Pampanga during the 2025 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) III Olympics on Monday (February 24).
The athlete’s march was led by TSU President Dr. Arnold Velasco and Sports Development and Management Head Dr. Ligaya Gina Salangsang.
“To TSU, let’s make the impossible possible, that this year, if we work it out, we will be number one. Wala pong imposible sa taong marunong mangarap at masikap,“ President Velasco said in his speech.
In his message, the president reminded the delegates that nothing is impossible for those who dream and persevere. Dr. Velasco said he is confidently looking forward to seeing the university in a better overall ranking for this year’s edition.
“You can never defeat a person who never gives up,” Pres. Arnold E. Velasco further said.
Dr. Salangsang, SDMU head, hope athletes show good character and give their best throughout the olympics.
“Everytime na kinakausap ko ‘yang mga iyan, I say always show puso saka isip. Huwag tayo mandaya, ‘Wag negatibo. Kung anuman iyan, palagi tayong positive at wala tayong iniisip na masama sa kapwa,” Dr. Salangsang told OPA.
Making his first SCUAA III appearance is Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Dr. Desiderio R. Apag III, who motivated and encouraged the athletes to make their schools proud.
“You have that power to inspire change, to push beyond the limits, and to prove that success is not measured by trophies alone, but to know how to keep going, to rise after every fall, and to believe in yourself even if the odds are beyond you,” Dr. Apag said.
Meanwhile, CHEDRO III Director Dr. Lora L. Yusi recognized every athlete’s determination and the importance of sports in uniting colors.
“This is more than just a competition. This is a celebration of passion, perseverance, and the power of sports to unite us. To the united colors of Region III, whether you’re red, green, maroon, white, or yellow, it doesn’t matter. What is important is we are Region III,” Dr. Yusi said in her speech.
TSU Firefox garnered 12 gold medals on the opening day of the 2025 SCUAA III, of which 11 came from men’s football and 1 from taekwondo team.
This also marks the first SCUAA Olympics of Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Bataan making a total of fourteen competing SUCs for this year’s regional meet.
2025 SCUAA III will ran from February 22 to February 28, 2025 (Friday).
