NO fans, no crowd, no basketball games, no problem.
With the country still grappling with an unseen but vicious enemy, the NCAA officially launched its 96th season yesterday in the new normal with virtual events.
NCAA Policy Board president Fr. Clarence Victor Marquez, OP, of host Letran delivered the opening remarks, while Management Committee chairman Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, also of Letran, led a solemn prayer with the virtual participation of athletes from the 10-member schools.
Calvo insisted the league is throwing itself into the unknown for good reason, with online taekwondo (poomsae) and speed kicking starting today.
“We’re taking a leap of faith, but it’s not blind faith. It’s something reasonable, kung ano ang puwede ngayon. It’s just that iyong contact sports, bawal pa ngayon,” Calvo said in an online press conference last Saturday.
“After having a thorough research, which was done in a very comprehensive and scholarly way, it is the most reasonable way of presenting Season 96,” he added.
Holding the cage and volleyball wars amid the lingering threat of the COVID-19 pandemic is too risky, according to Calvo.
“I don’t think for this season contact sports will be available for us,” Calvo said.
“We’re really squeezing kung ano ang puwede sa new normal, pero iba na talaga ang season ngayon, and online is the safest.”
Letran big man Jeo Ambohot spearheaded the virtual oath-taking for the athletes while various artists from GMA 7, the league’s broadcast partner, also graced the opening.
Aicelle Santos, Kyline Alcantara, The Clash Seasons 2 and 3 Grand Champions Jeremiah Tiangco and Jessica Villarubin, Kapuso OST Princess Hannah Precillas, and The Clash alumni Anthony Rosaldo, Thea Astley, and Sheemee Buenaobra were the artists who performed.
Those who represented the schools as flag bearers and muses were Ralph Troy Noriega and Angela Alarcon for Arellano University; Kimson Tan and Pam Prinster for College of St. Benilde; Caloy Tingcungco and Ysabel Ortega for Emilio Aguinaldo College; Kim de Leon and Lexi Gonzales for Jose Rizal University; Brent Valdez and Kyline Alcantara for Lyceum; Gab Yabut and Ayra Mariano for Mapua University; Manolo Pedrosa and Crystal Paras for San Beda University; Jamir Zabarte and Zonia Mejia for San Sebastian College; Jeremy Sabido and Shaira Diaz for Perpetual Help; and Radson Flores and Mikee Quintos for Letran.
The online opening ceremonies were hosted by Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos, with Martin Javier and Sophia Senoron as co-hosts.
