The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Newly-crowned AUBC champion Mapua faces its biggest test yet when it gets the honor of representing the country in the 2025 World University Games scheduled July 16-27 in Rhine Ruhr, Germany.
The Cardinals, ever so eager to make the country proud in the sport closest to the Filipinos’ heart, will take the floor against Brazil on July 19, defending champion Czech Republic on July 20 and Poland on July 21 in the preliminary round.
The Philippines is the only Southeast Asian country in the prestigious 16-nation competition to be held in the popular German metropolitan region noted for Cologne Cathedral, Augustusburg and Falkenlust Palaces and Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
“This is another great opportunity for all of us to promote the country and our people in the international stage thru sports,” said Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) president Edwin C. Fabro.
“As the Asian Universities Basketball League and NCAA champion, Mapua earned the right to carry the Philippine flag in Rhine-Ruhr 2025,” added Fabro.
Honorary head of delegation Alvin Tai Lian, on the other hand, lauded the support of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Airlines, Bestank, Healthy Options, OMNI Electrical and Lighting, LT Group Inc., Kelme Sportswear, Henn Athletic Club, Burlington Socks, Paddocks Casual Jeans, Seascape Village, and Lime Resort Hotel to ensure the Filipino participation.
Joining Fabro and Tai Lian in Rhine-Ruhr are David Ong of Philippine Airlines and Christian Tan of Healthy Options, deputy honorary heads of delegation; Mary Ng, head of delegation; Frank Lao, deputy head of delegation; Atty. Baldomero C. Estenzo, Graham Lim, Cecille Sarmiento and Dr. Robert Milton Calo.
Mapua is only the fourth school-team to represent the country in the Universiade, joining University of the East (Tokyo, 1967); University of Cebu (Shenzhen, 2011) and University of the Visayas ( 2013, Kazan).
The University of the East was the first basketball team to represent the Philippines in the Universiade.
PBA legends Robert Jaworski and Danny Florencio were the biggest stars when the UE Warriors represented the country in 1967 Tokyo Universiade.
Eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo bannered CESAFI champion University of Cebu in the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade, while Wowie Escocio starred for University of the Visayas in the 2013 Kazan Universiade.
In Rhine-Ruhr, a total of 16 countries, led by defending champion Czech Republicand the United States, are divided into four groups.
The Philippines is grouped with defending champion Czech Republic, runner-up Brazil and Poland in Pool D.
In 2021, Czech Republic defeated Brazil, 69-67, to capture the gold medal.
The official team draw of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 was held as early as last April with 3×3 Olympic champion Sonja Greinacher and Parliamentary State Secretary Mahmut Özdemir in attendance at the Hilton Hotel in Düsseldorf.
The complete groupings:
Group A – China, Finland, Germany,Taipei,
Group B — India, Latvia, Romania, USA.
Group C — Brazil, Czech Republic, Philippines, Poland.
Group D — Argentina, Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania.
Venue of the preliminary games are the Walter-Schädlich-Halle, a compact and modern 735-seat multi-purpose complex in Duisburg; and Grugahalle, a multi-purpose indoor arena in Essen.
Aside from Mapua, FESSAP is also fielding UAAP champion National University in men’s volleyball.