By Waylon Galvez
Will there be an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) this season?
The oldest collegiate league in the country is once again threatened to be cancelled as the country continues to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
The league’s Season 95 has already been terminated by the Policy Board upon the recommendation of the Management Committee (MANCOM) last March during the early stage of the pandemic.
A highly-reliable source disclosed that the league is inclined to scratch Season 96, and instead move it to 2021 after the government announced that sports activities are not allowed until end of December this year.
No matter what happens, Letran remains as overall host.
“If that’s what the government says, the NCAA needs to follow,” said the source Wednesday who requested not to be named. “Just like everybody else, safety first – that is the priority.”
The only time the collegiate league was suspended was during World War II from 1942 to 1946.
The league was initially contemplating of opening Season 96 in mid November following the announcement that school year 2020-2021 would start late August to early September.
Part of the discussion, another source said, was limiting the events to four with basketball, volleyball, track and field, and swimming as mandatory.
But the government’s declaration of no sports activities until the end of the year may change the NCAA’s direction for Season 96 – thus the possibility of not having events altogether.
Reached for comment, current MANCOM chairman Peter Cayco said they have to wait and see, saying: “If they’ll allow sports activities by January, we need two-three months to prepare the teams.”
Letran’s director for Public Affairs Jhennie Caldito-Villar said the school shares the same stance.
“The school is communicating with the NCAA regarding the matter,” she said.
“As host of the 96th Season, we can also make recommendations to the NCAA. The school formed a special committee that is regularly discussing the issue – there’s no decision at the moment,” added Caldito-Villar.
