PSA Forum: NCAA keen to increase more sports should situation improves for Season 96

Like the UAAP, the NCAA is also playing the waiting game as they gear up for the 96th season, with the coronavirus crisis still threatening the sporting industry apart in the country.

However, they are also keeping their options open on adding more sports to be played should the situation improves.

“Hindi naman tayo talaga naka-fix. We are fluid. We are on serving kung ano yung sitwasyon para matuloy yung NCAA,” said incoming Management Committee chair Fr. Vic Calvo of Letran in last Tuesday's weekly PSA Forum.

The long-term athletic director of the Knights succeeded Arellano's Peter Cayco from last season, whose hosting have been hampered by the health crisis gripping the entire nation, especially in Metro Manila where most of its member institutions were from the fabled University Belt.

“Naka-apekto yun (coronavirus) sa Season 95 because we’re not able to finish its calendar. At may ilang events that were scheduled to be held like beach volleyball track and field, cheerleading, while indoor volleyball and lawn tennis were not able to complete their tournaments,” Cayco said.

As such, the season ended with no general championship being awarded, citing the cancellation of the athletics and tennis tournaments as well as the race to the overall title were a close affair before the virus halted any plans of restart.

“Kasi yung 1-2-3 spots are up for grabs. So we decided not to award a general championship,” he added. “So everything is now on Fr. Vic’s lap.”

Should the situation improves a bit in the country, the nation's oldest school league is keen in adding sports aside from the core four of basketball, volleyball, athletics and swimming.

One of which was e-sports which were being floated by the league, citing the success of Sibol in last year's Southeast Asian Games.

“Sa SEA Games ginawa na natin ito. Nag-champion naman tayo, so why not do this especially in this time of the pandemic,” Calvo then said.

However, with the health crisis still far from over, the league had no other choice but to be on standby and can only pray and hope that the situation improves.

“Depende sa sitwasyon, eh. We don’t know what will happen between now and March 2021,” said Calvo.

Photo: Philippine Sportswriters Association