BY WAYLON GALVEZ
The NCAA, the country’s oldest collegiate, is likely to follow its rival league – make CignalTV/TV5 as its broadcast partner.
Next week, NCAA will make a decision whether to link up with CignalTV/TV5 or not.
Also in the picture is GMA-7.
A formal proposal is expected from the two, including the amount of money in the five-year partnership.
“The league met with the two TV networks via online meeting, GMA-7 about two weeks ago, then CignalTV/TV5 last Thursday,” said a source who asked not to be named since he is not in position to discuss details of the meeting with members of the NCAA Management Committee (MANCOM).
The NCAA Policy Board will discuss the matter regarding its new TV partner this Wednesday.
On Friday the UAAP management announced that it has partnered with CignalTV/TV5 – owned by telecommunications mogul Manny V. Pangilinan – is also the official broadcast partner of the PBA and the NBA, as well as the popular esports professional league The Nationals.
Also, the said network had a history of working with the NCAA as it televised the games from 2010 to 2014.
“That’s their advantage, the experience they had with the league, their own experience covering the games, and of course – I think this is the most important – is the system they have,” said the same source.
“Kumbaga sa Tagalog, kabisadong kabisado na nila ang sports.”
Another source said that what impressed several members of the MANCOM – chaired by Fr. Vic Calvo of Season 96 host Letran – is the way CignalTV/TV5 made its presentation.
The said network, the source said, mentioned the use of all its platforms – not limited to television since it has TV5 and One Sports for free channels, and the sports channels for CignalTV subscribers.
The online platform of the network will also be involved since part of the coverage is Smart Communications.
