NCAA centennial season kicks off Saturday

MANILA, Philippines — The National Collegiate Athletic Association will celebrate its centennial season starting with its centerpiece basketball tournament that features host Lyceum of the Philippines clashing with defending champion San Beda and title contenders Mapua against College of St. Benilde on Saturday’s opener at the MOA Arena.

“As the youngest member of the NCAA, it’s our pride and honor at LPU to be host of Season 100,” said this year’s league president Roberto Laurel during yesterday’s media launch at the MOA Arena.

“Very prestigious para sa amin ito especially since the NCAA is now 100 years old,” he added.

NCAA Management Committee chairman Herc Callanta, for his part, said they will enshrine this year the league’s 100 greatest achievers, not just in basketball, but all sports.

“Our opening ceremony would highlight notable achievers of the NCAA year 2000 upwards. For you to be enshrined to the 100 greatest athletes of the NCAA, you must have participated in the NCAA no later than that year,” he said.

It marks a historic time for the grand old league, which has existed and survived the test of time.

And the reason for the NCAA’s longevity has been solely sourced from young student athletes dreaming big dreams.

“Hanggat may batang nangangarap na humusay sa larangan ng palakasan, nandyan ang NCAA,” said Jose Rizal’s Paul Supan, last year’s NCAA Mancom chair.

This year, everything will start from basketball with San Beda defending the seniors crown.

“Our goal is to try to win it again,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.