Opening Day Sparks Debut in PG Flex-UCAL Season 8
The 2025 PG Flex-UCAL Season 8 kicked off with a bang at the UB Millennium Gym in Batangas City, as two powerhouse programs set a confident tone for their title-retention bids. University of Batangas (UB) and Immaculada Concepcion College (ICC) showcased depth, precision, and the sort of chemistry that champions rely on to sustain success year after year.
UB Brahmans Command the Show
In the men’s slate, the UB Brahmans asserted their authority early, taking down Centro Escolar University (CEU) Scorpions in straight sets, 25-18, 25-20, 25-17. The win underscored UB’s balance on offense and disciplined defense, with two players driving the offense and a reliable distribution corps orchestrating the attack.
Christian Briones and Prince Ramirez anchored UB’s offensive charge. Ramirez delivered 13 points on 12 attacks and a service ace, while Briones chipped in with 13 excellent sets and added five points on attacks, plus a block and a service ace. Briones’ playmaking stood out, weaving through the CEU block and setting up teammates for high-percentage hits. The duo embodied UB’s game plan: spread the wealth in attack and keep the Scorpions guessing with varied sets and smart shot selection.
Hitting performance and tempo control defined UB’s approach. The Brahmans’ defense also worked in tandem with the offense, neutralizing CEU’s attempts to gain rhythm and forcing errors at crucial junctures. As the season unfolds, UB’s ability to sustain this level of execution against top-tier competition will be a critical component of their title-retention bid.
ICC Lady Blue Hawks Charge Past PCU-Dasmariñas
On the distaff side, ICC’s Lady Blue Hawks demonstrated why they’re considered a formidable force in women’s volleyball. They cruised past Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas (PCU-Dasmariñas) in straight sets in a dominant 25-16, 25-17, 25-16 performance that sent a clear message to the rest of the field. Jehiel Moraga was the standout on offense for ICC, tallying 12 points and providing the much-needed spark with three blocks and an ace.
However, the day’s most remarkable individual output came from ICC’s Gio Devosora. Devosora exploded for 28 points, supported by 24 attacks, two blocks, and an equal number of service aces, fueling a remarkable comeback win in the team’s best-of-five showing against PCU-Dasmariñas. Trailing early in the match, ICC regrouped and shifted momentum in the latter frames, a testament to their resilience and depth across lines.
ICC’s performance highlights the importance of versatility. With Moraga contributing from the outside and Devosora driving the offense from the pin, ICC displays a balanced scoring attack that can complicate the defensive reads of rivals throughout the season. This balance will be key for their title-retention aspirations as the league advances.
Other Opening-Day Winners and Implications for the Season
Beyond UB and ICC, the opening day produced a batch of compelling results on both sides of the net. CEU’s women’s team fought hard to steal a set from UB, with Lourdes Cinco pacing the Scorpions with 19 points in a competitive stretch. In other women’s matches, Olivarez College and Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas mounted strong showings. In men’s play, Manila Central University and LPU-Batangas secured early wins, signaling a potent mix of talent and ambition across the tournament.
All told, the tournament’s first day set a high bar for the 2025 season. Teams with standout leaders like Briones, Ramirez, Moraga, and Devosora demonstrated how star power and team chemistry can translate into decisive opening performances. As the season progresses, fans can expect a chess match of strategic depth, athleticism, and close-quarter battles that will test endurance and teamwork across matchups.
About the 2025 PG Flex-UCAL Season
The PG Flex-UCAL Season 8 brings together top collegiate programs in a heated volleyball competition, emphasizing skill development, rivalry, and sportsmanship. Teams battle through a schedule designed to crown a champion while showcasing rising talents who could shape the sport at the collegiate level for years to come.
