Games Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
11 a.m. – Opening ceremony
3:30 p.m. – EAC vs Arellano
6 p.m. – Mapua vs San Beda
It's all systems go at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as the 98th season of the NCAA kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 10.
The oldest collegiate league in the Philippines fires off once again several months after its successful season last March with Emilio Aguinaldo College taking over hosting duties for the first time.
Opening ceremony begins at 11 a.m. to kickstart its festivities before proceeding with the double-header for the men's basketball tournament.
Tipoff is set at 3:30 p.m. as EAC takes on Arellano while last season's Final Four rivals Mapua faces San Beda in the 6 p.m. match.
The likes of Allen Liwag, Ralph Robin and Kriss Gurtiza share the limelight for the Generals while the Chiefs look to take things slow with a fresh start following the departure of key big man Justin Arana, who is now signed with Converge in the PBA.
Axel Doromal, Basti Valencia, and Kai Oliva will spearhead Arellano but the arrival of Filipino-Australian forward Cade Flores, providing firepower and stability in the paint, is also something to look forward to.
While Smart Araneta Coliseum hosts the opening day, the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan will be the venue for the remaining games set until Oct. 11 in the first round schedule released as of Sept. 3. Games are held on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Season 98 also marks the return of other sports such as swimming, track and field, men's volleyball, beach volleyball, cheerleading, and juniors' basketball while taekwondo and chess, which were held virtually the previous season, will now be played face-to-face.
Meanwhile, Season 97 champion Letran begins its title retention bid on Sept. 14, Wednesday, with four players having tested positive for Covid-19 which placed the team under health and safety protocols.
The Knights were initially scheduled to raise the curtains on opening day against the Generals but the matchup was later replaced for safety.