Mazda Philippines signed on as a Major Sponsor with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 77 for on-air television coverage. Featuring the All-New Mazda3, the premium Japanese brand intends to extend the brand further in partnership with UAAP hostilities beginning this July.

“Mazda is excited to work with and support UAAP Season 77 with the All-New Mazda3 SKYACTIV,” reveals Steven Tan, President and CEO of Berjaya Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributors of Mazda vehicles in the country. “The UAAP is the exciting and most anticipated sporting event in the country. The UAAP shares the same core values with every Mazda vehicle, especially the all new Mazda3 SKYACTIV – dynamic performance, fast pace and a youthful appeal. It is only natural for us to create this synergy with the UAAP on TV,” adds Tan.

The season-long presence of Mazda will be seen through the live television coverage of UAAP basketball games where the brand will present highlights of various fastbreak and best plays. Moreover, Mazda will extend its reach to the UAAP’s fan base by providing its key basketball players with Mazda vehicles that extend the athletes’ on-court personalities to their everyday lives.

“We’re excited to see these up and coming basketball superstars drive around town in the new Mazda3 cars,” adds Tan. “There’s nothing like having the right car that speaks volumes about its driver. And we know with the Mazda3’s dynamic persona, it will be a perfect match for each of our five college basketball idols.”

The flashy and fearless UAAP Juniors MVP, Thirdy Ravena, is set for a season drive of the newly launched Mazda3. Known for his above-the-ring, high-flying highlight reels and efficient plays, the Ateneo de Manila University rookie is set to feature prominently as he partners with brother Kiefer to take ADMU back into championship winning form this year.

Over at the green side of the fence, De La Salle University’s dominant, shot-blocking ace, Arnold Van Opstal will also be seen driving a Mazda3 to and from the court.  A larger than life player who loves the limelight, the 6’10” center will undoubtedly make his intimidating size and strength on the court a crucial factor yet again for the Green Archers as they defend their crown.

University of Sto. Tomas Growling Tigers’ versatile shooter, Aljon Mariano, will likewise be behind the wheel of a Mazda3 as he targets yet another season of steering UST to a successive championship bid. Aljon’s hunger to win will undoubtedly play a huge role in this year’s exciting season.

Another Mazda3 will likewise be driven by University of the East Red Warrior, Roi Sumang. The very agile, feisty and reliable UE point guard will bring his leadership skills back to the hard court this year as the team guns for yet another crack at the season title.

Not to be outdone, the Far Eastern University Tamaraw shooting guard, Cris Tolomia, will also be behind the wheel of a Mazda3 for the duration of Season 77. Best known for his game winning three-pointer as a rookie against UST in 2011, Tolomia will definitely bring edge-of-the-seat, last-second excitement to the floor once again as he leads FEU to another tough season.

Uncompromised performance is the essence of every brand new Mazda3. Penned in Mazda’s latest KODO Soul of Motion design language and packed with innovative SKYACTIV technologies that deliver lively driving performance with astounding fuel efficiency and enhanced safety, the third generation Mazda3 squares perfectly with the dynamic confidence, unparalleled agility and pure performance that each of these collegiate players exude.

The Mazda3 hatchback and sedan, along with the current product line-up of Mazda Philippines which includes the Mazda2 sub-compact sedan and hatchback, the Mazda6 executive sedan, the CX-5 compact SUV, the CX-9 seven-seater SUV, the MX-5 2-seater sports roadster and the BT-50 pickup truck, are all available in the 14 Mazda sales and service dealerships located across Metro Manila – Mazda Greenhills along EDSA, Mazda Pasig along C5, Mazda Quezon Ave., and Mazda Alabang – and in key provincial locations – Pampanga, Dagupan, Cabanatuan, Batangas, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Tarlac, Cavite, Iloilo and Davao.