The Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PHILSCA) of the Airforce and Rizal Technological University from the Philippine Army start their campaign in volleyball on Sunday night (Oct. 22) right after the elaborate opening ceremony of the inaugural Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Games National Finals at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The protagonists (Philsca and RTU) test their mettle in the lone volleyball match at 6:00 p.m., or shortly after the opening rites.

No less than Kimberly Anne Custodio, the 2022 World Jiujitsu Champion, will administer the Oath of Sportsmanship to more than 800 student cadets – all medalists – from four regional legs in the Visayas (Iloilo City), Mindanao (Zamboanga City), Luzon (Cavite) and NCR (Manila).

“This is it. Magkakaalam na tayo rito kung sino talaga ang kampeon. After the four previous leg, talaga namang nakita natin yung kagandahan ng may kooperasyon at pagkakaisa. May mga problema, pagkukulang and shortcomings but the organizers and the technical officials worked so hard to make sure na may maayos tayong Palaro,” said Senator Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino, the brainchild of the program to instill discipline, unity, and camaraderie to ROTC cadets through sports.

“It is also a way to help sports associations in their talent identification program,” Tolentino added.

Action in other sports – athletics, arnis, boxing, basketball (3×3), kickboxing, and esports – blasts off Monday in different venues inside the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RSMC) in Malate, Manila.

Aside from Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann will deliver an inspirational message as well as the other members of the Executive Organizing Committee Member Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero De Vera and Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro during the opening ceremony.

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez, Jr. is also expected to attend the opening rites together with Local Government Unit (LGU’s) representatives, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials, and school administrators in the opening program.

Also expected to grace the affair are the winners in the Ms. ROTC Games – the side event of the program. The coronation was still ongoing as of posting time on Saturday.

The opening ceremony is slated to begin at 3:00 p.m. but the Astrodome gate will be opened as early as 12 noon, and entrance is free.