After returning to the place where it all started, the 37th edition of the Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA-8) Games held October 22-27 has finally concluded, with the Visayas State University (VSU) Pythons reclaiming the coveted overall championship title in the region’s biggest collegiate sporting event in front of its home crowd.

This year’s SCUAA-8 is the first edition hosted by VSU since the institution last hosted in 2017.

Day 1: Region’s biggest sporting tilt opens

With the SCUAA-8 back in its full swing as excluded sporting events in last year’s edition are back, a swarm of student-athletes and coaches hailing from the 11 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) including Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), Leyte Normal University (LNU), Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT), Samar State University (SSU), Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), University of the Philippines - Tacloban (UPT) and VSU gathered at the VSU Upper Oval Grounds to witness the grand opening ceremony, October 22.

Anchored with the theme, “Weaving Strength: Hinabing Kusog,” VSU President Edgardo E. Tulin emphasized in his welcome speech the collective strength of the region in cultivating discipline and camaraderie.

"It is indeed another season of celebrating sports in various sporting competitions, and most importantly, celebrating fun and camaraderie. It has been a well-established ideology amongst SCUAA members, that the ultimate goal of this interschool sports competition is forging and building a better world through sports in the spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play." Dr. Tulin in his speech.

Day 2: Pythons’ Pagulong seizes teams’ first of many gold medals with Acasio and Namia showcases flair in Mr. & Ms. SUC prelim and talent comp

As the official start of the sporting events commences, the different SUC delegations embodied their Hinabing Kusog spirits to gain the upper hand as early as the first day.

Billy Pagulong of the VSU Pythons swimming team nabbed the first gold of the delegation after hissing his way to the podium in the Men’s 100 LC Meter Butterfly Swimming Event.

Meanwhile, Pythons’ Mr. & Ms. SUC 8 2023 bets, Daniel Christian Acasio and Reina Lynn Feb Namia flaunted their dancing prowess in performing a Banga-Salidsid dance routine and an OPM dance piece, respectively for their talent showcase.

Day 3: Acasio triumphs in Mr. & Ms. SUC 8 2023

Pythons continued its medal haul in the Mr. SUC 8 pageant as Daniel Acasio captured the Mr. SCUAA-8 2023 crown during the Mr. & Ms. SUC 8 2023 Grand Coronation Night.

He was declared as one of the male grand winners together with Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) Praying Mantises’ Bien Aris Siguan bagging the Mr. PASUC-8 2023 title. They bested nine other male candidates from the different SUCs.

In the final question and answer segment of the competition, Acasio reiterated the importance of “human intelligence in education” in comparison to artificial intelligence and its real-life applications.

Acasio also won the Mister Photogenic award and will compete in the National SCUAA 2024 pageant.Meanwhile, Pythons’ Ms. SUC 8 candidate Feb Namia settled for a spot in the Magic 6.

Day 4: Continuation of Games

Keeping up with the different sporting events, athletes remain steadfast as they soar to nab the victory on the quest of claiming the gold for SCUAA-8 2023.

VSU Pythons did not falter as they seized the momentum in out-batting their opponents. The Baseball team secured a 2-1 standing against EVSU Eagles, the Sepak Takraw team made their redemption as they outlasted ESSU in a 2-1 position in the said sporting event.

 

Concurrently, the Pythons’ futsal team soared relentlessly as they kicked 2-0 standing, paving their way to championship. The VSU Pythons Basketball men also made their way to semi-finals after defeating the NwSSU Lions in a 2-1 victory.

Day 5: Pythons’ Gold Medal Haul

As the SCUAA-8 draws near to its finale, different SUCs endures to championship in securing medals in various sporting events eying for the throne.

The odds favored the VSU Pythons as the different competing teams are clasping the victory in their field of sports. The Arnis team bagged eight golds, four silvers, and five bronze medals in different categories, the Futsal team emerged victorious as the champion for futsal, Lawn Tennis Men coveted the gold medal as Daryl Adolfo took the lead with an 8-4 standing.

The triumph goes on as VSU Pythons’ Jesse Leoard Ranin sealed the win and Imee Emperado left an impressive match claiming the gold in Kyorugi Taekwondo. Nike Godwin Lora of VSU Python stoleshow as he brought home the bacon in Kumite Karatedo tournament.

The Pythons’ Women's Table Tennis team dominated the game as they protected their championship title for the said sporting event. Another back-to-back championship for the Pythons is from the Men's and Women’s Badminton Team.

Further, VSU Python maintained its prominence, taking the lead in the tally of medals for SCUAA-8 2023.

Day 6: Closing Ceremony and Passing the Torch to NwSSU

As the 37th Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA-8) was brought to an end, the premiere Visayas State University (VSU) Pythons redeemed its success as they’re hailed as the Overall Champion for SCUAA-8 2023 with the final medal tally of 89 gold medals.

Taking up the second place is the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) Eagles with 51 gold medals, and with just a four shy away, the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) Bulls clinched the third spot tallying 47 medals, finishing their respective journey in the 37th SCUAA-8 Games.

The six-day event then ended during the closing ceremony as VSU’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Dr. Aleli A. Villocino officially declared the 37th SCUAA-8 over.

“Athletes, you have made us very proud, you are worthy as role models. And you have reminded us again that people from different backgrounds can compete in a spirit of respect, friendship, and fair play. We may all take home the spirit within us and continue weaving strength among 11 State Universities and Colleges.” Dr. Villocino in her declaration speech.

Prior to the closing ceremony, the challenge is accepted as the baton is passed to Northwest Samar State University as the next host for the 38th Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA-8) Games 2024.

 

With the most medal haul this year, the VSU Pythons expects to send the biggest delegation in the National SCUAA Meet in 2024 to carry and raise the flag of the whole Eastern Visayas region.

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