THE National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is set for a homecoming at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum under the auspices of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Opened in 1934, the Rizal Memorial Coliseum was established 10 years after the founding of the NCAA and quickly became the premiere venue for the league, especially for basketball games.
“Dito talaga ang identity ng NCAA, which was synonymous with the Rizal Memorial Coliseum back in the day,” said Atty. Jonas Cabochan, the NCAA Management Committee representative from San Beda and acting NCAA Mancom chairman.
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The RMC has been the backdrop for numerous memorable NCAA games until 2005 before departing for other venues in succeeding years.
“We welcome back the NCAA with open arms. This is their home,” said PSC chairman Pato Gregorio.
The looming comeback of NCAA Games in RMC should be a favored venue due to its accessibility for most participating schools.
“It will definitely help in attracting audiences for every game, a vibrant identity the NCAA has been carrying since then,” said Gregorio.
Moreover, gymnastics, boxing, and weightlifting are being considered to be added to the roster of games to be paraded on NCAA Season 101 as demonstration sports.
Although not yet included in the league’s medal count, these sports have been a formidable force for the country’s medal haul in the history of the Olympics.
Most of the NCAA's member schools are located within Manila and the Southern area of the metro.
These include San Sebastian, San Beda, College of Saint Benilde, Arellano, Emilio Aguinaldo College and the Intramuros-based institutions: Letran, Mapúa, and Lyceum.
Other schools such as Jose Rizal University in Mandaluyong City and University of Perpetual Help - System Dalta (UPHSD) in Las Piñas also benefit from the venue's proximity.
The NCAA is set to have a soft launch in September, with a grand opening scheduled for October.
Gregorio met with its ManCom representatives recently, including Peter Cayco (AU), Atty. Jonas Cabochan (SBU), Fr. Victor Calvo Jr. (CSJL), Raymund Manuel Castellano (CSB), Francisco Gusi (UPHSD), and Dr. Lorenzo Lorenzo (EAC), to discuss the upcoming season.
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