This year’s UAAP opening may have been “simple,” but it is something worth remembering.

The opening rites of UAAP Season 79 is the first to be held at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) grounds in Espana, Manila since the league was founded in 1938.

Hundreds of athletes, not just basketball players, from the eight participating UAAP schools passed through UST’s historic Arch of the Centuries before making their way to the school’s Plaza Mayor where they were formally welcomed by the host university.

The ceremonies were simple, but likened to the way the Olympics were opened. The theme also came as a challenge to all the athletes participating in this year’s UAAP: Dare to Dream.

“Once again seasoned athletes from eight participating universities will try to become what they always them to be: winners, heroes and champions,” said UST Rector Fr. Rev. Herminio Dagohoy during his welcoming remarks. “They will dare to dream and Season 79 will make those dreams happen. It is only when we dare to dream that we are able to set the highest goal and go for the win.

“As rector of the university I declare 79 season of the UAAP open. Let us dare and dream and let the games begin.”

UAAP Season 79 formally opens in Olympic style - a grand fireworks display. pic.twitter.com/d3gOVNxYOC

— Karl Cedrick Basco (@cedrickkbasco) September 3, 2016

The opening rites began with an invocation accompanied by an interpretative performance by UST's Salinggawi Dance Troupe. League officials including presidents of UAAP schools were later ushered to the stage.

Then came the athletes from the eight participating schools, all wearing their school colors while marching through the Arch of the Centuries. Each school carried flags that had their emblems as their representatives cheerfully made their way to Plaza Mayor.

First to come in were athletes from Adamson University, followed by Ateneo De Manila University, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, and National University.

Next to enter the UST grounds were representatives from University of the East and University of the Philippines. UST probably had the biggest group that participated in the opening with most of their athletes carrying Tiger balloons while being accompanied by a Tiger mascot.

The ceremonies ended with a colorful fireworks display that wowed the crowd.

Filipino Olympian Jessie Khing Lacuna of Ateneo was impressed with what he saw during the opening.

EARLIER: Athletes gather in front of the Arch of the Centuries minutes before the opening of #UAAPSeason79 pic.twitter.com/etZij7Hwtb

— Karl Cedrick Basco (@cedrickkbasco) September 3, 2016

“This is my first time to attend opening sa UAAP. It's unbelievable, exciting. It's a simple version of Olympic opening gawa nung fireworks. Iniba ng UST ang ceremony dun sa regular opening [UST veered away from the regular opening]. It was fun,” he said.

UAAP officials opened the season ahead of the basketball games to allow more athletes to participate in the opening.

The last time that the opening ceremonies were held separately from the first day of the men's basketball tournament was when Ateneo hosted Season 74.

The school held the opening at the Marikina Sports Park.

The men's basketball tournament will begin on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum, with UP facing Adamson, and host team UST tackling Ateneo.

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