ALTHOUGH his squad is raring to hit the ground running, what gnaws at San Sebastian College coach Egay Macaraya is the fact he has yet to see his charges’ form.
“I haven’t seen them yet, only in their games in other leagues,” Macaraya told Malaya-Business Insight.
“Hopefully, we’ll get cleared by the IATF and CHED protocols so we could start practices,” he added.
The NCAA is eyeing to launch its 97th season early next year under strict health and safety protocols laid down by the Commission on Higher Education.
The country’s oldest collegiate league pushed through this season with virtual and skills events, with the basketball and volleyball tournaments getting canceled.
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 Golden 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 from the Recto-based five are former stars Allyn Bulanadi and RK Ilagan, who have both turned pros.
The Stags are expected to be led by energetic big man JM Calma, Kenneth Villapando, and Itchie Altamirano next season.
Macaraya is tempering his expectations after the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic holed up the team for nearly two years.
