SAN Sebastian College coach Egay Macaraya is hoping the plan to hold the 97th NCAA basketball tournament pushes through.
“I think it’s about time. I’ve seen amateur leagues that’s been successful,” Macaraya told Malaya-Business Insight yesterday. “Hopefully, we could do the same.”
The Commission on Higher Education gave the green light for the resumption of collegiate training under stringent health and safety protocols last Nov. 16.
The move came on the heels of more contact sports being allowed in Metro Manila after the region was placed under Alert Level 2 until Dec. 15.
The CHED’s decision ended a long wait for the school teams’ return to physical training after the agency crafted and released the guidelines in October last year.
Macaraya is hoping the new cage wars will not be played in a bubble.
“I’m still praying that next year we will go to level 1 or anything that doesn’t need bubble games and practices because it’s really hard doing it,” Macaraya said. “That’s why I’m pushing all my coaches and players to complete vaccinations and booster also. Hoping for the best.”
The NCAA is eyeing to launch its 97th season early next year.
The country’s oldest collegiate league pushed through this season with virtual and skills events, with the basketball and volleyball tournaments getting cancelled.
Taekwondo and chess were both held online, while alumni from all 10 member-schools participated in All-Star Skills competitions for both basketball and volleyball.
The Stags wound up with an 11-7 card to advance to the Final Four as the fourth-ranked squad in 2019. San Sebastian lost to eventual champion Letran in their stepladder semifinal battle, however.
Gone for the Recto-based five are former stars Allyn Bulanadi and RK Ilagan, who both turned pro. The Stags are expected to be led by energetic big man JM Calma, Kenneth Villapando, and Itchie Altamirano next season.
