By Waylon Galvez
Instead of the usual July kickoff, there is a strong chance that NCAA Season 96 will open in November after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the endorsement of the government task force on COVID-19 to move the start of classes for school year 2020-2021 to September.
NCAA Management Committee (MANCOM) Chairman Peter Cayco (MB File Photo)
Peter Cayco, currently the NCAA Management Committee (MANCOM) chairman, said Tuesday the group is discussing all concerns with regards to next season with next host Letran.
While he begged off to discuss details of their discussion, Cayco said the July opening would be moved to a later date since the Chief Executive already agreed to the new school calendar.
“Yes,” said Cayco in a text message to The Manila Bulletin when asked about the new opening schedule.
Like in previous cases, any ruling by MANCOM will be forwarded to the Policy Board for final decision.
The previous 95th NCAA Season started with basketball competitions last July 7 with overall host Arellano University.
Aside from basketball, also part of the first semester sport schedule of the NCAA are swimming, taekwondo, table tennis and chess.
Last March 19, the league announced the termination of the season due to the pandemic, which forced the government to issue Enhanced Community Quarantine, or a lockdown in Metro Manila and selected provinces.
The season’s termination discontinued events in men’s, women’s and high school volleyball, junior’s and men’s and football, and lawn tennis, while opening of events in soft tennis, track and field, beach volleyball, 15-under basketball and Cheer Leading Competition did not push through.