NOT only will the NCAA be making changes when it comes to the basketball and volleyball format, but it will be adding new sports as well to usher in the new century of the grand ol’ league.
NCAA Management Committee chairman Melchor Divina of Mapua announced that the league, in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission, will be holding four new demonstration events from golf, gymnastics, boxing and weightlifting.
“Changes lang sa NCAA we will have additional events in partnership with PSC, it’s golf, gymnastics, boxing and weightlifting. That’s gonna be the four new events for Season 101 and the continuation of Esports,” Divina said in the formal press conference.
Divina shared the thought process of adding these events to the league – noting how these sports are actually the ones winning medals when it comes to international sporting events.
“Because of the tie-up with the PSC, they said that these events, ito yung mga nago-gold na international. Sabi ng PSC, bakit kung sino naggo-gold, sila yung wala,” he shared.
The league will be holding these events in the second semester, giving them ample time to coordinate with the respective NSAs of each sport to make sure that these events go smoothly, and in line with the grassroot programs of these NSAs.
“As of now we’re discussing with different NSAs," Divina continued
"[Nakikipagusap kami] sa NSA ng boxing, gymnastics to start the program para makatulong ang NCAA sa PSC and sa POC na talagang grassroot development," he added.
"Magsisimula sa collegiate and sa high school para pag dating nila sa tamang age nila, well developed na sila.”
READ: Letran, Benilde, San Beda all together in NCAA 101 group of death
The addition of four sports is another welcome development for the Grand Ol’ League as they enter Season 101, following the announcement of the new format in their popular sports in basketball and volleyball.
The format changes in basketball and volleyball, where the teams are now grouped into two while adding a play-in phase, quarterfinals and best-of-three meets in the semifinals and finals were welcomed warmly by fans and schools alike.
“Yung new format was brought about by our desire to bring more exciting games. For 75 years, the first 75 years of the NCAA, the champion was determined by round champions. Then the next 25 nag final four tayo. So now as we usher in the new century, we wanted to have a fresh format for our student athletes,” JRU Management Committee representative Paul Supan said.
“So that’s the rationale behind adapting the new format. We’ll see from there. The first one 75 years, the next one 25, we hope we’ll make it exciting.”
The league will also continue their Esports tournament, though they were non-committal if they’re gonna be adding new games to the mix after debuting Mobile Legends: Bang Bang to close out Season 100.
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