UAAP mulls expansion, may tap two new teams

MANILA, Philippines - Like its counterpart, the UAAP is also entertaining plans of expanding in the future.

UAAP president Anton Montinola of Season 72 host Far Eastern University yesterday said the league is open to the idea of accepting a ninth or a 10th member, possibly next year, in a bid to generate more interest and excitement and attracting more fans.

“It’s possible, maybe we’ll go nine teams or maybe 10,” said Montinola during the signing of memorandum of agreement between the Tams and The Old Spaghetti House in Libis, Quezon City.

This year, the NCAA welcomed three guest teams – Arellano U, Angeles University Foundation and Emilio Aguinaldo College – as a prelude to its plans of expanding next year to widen the league’s fan base.

The 85-year-old NCAA is set to accept three regular members next year, which may not necessarily be the same guest teams currently playing this season.

Montinola, meanwhile, pointed to San Beda as a primary candidate for regular membership in the UAAP.

“If there’s a university that brings to the table something that’s difficult to refuse, then why not. What I mean is a very strong sports program in all sports not only in basketball with alumni supporting a team win or lose and a school management that is serious about competing consistently in all sports,” said Montinola.

“Apparently, the school that comes to mind without alienating the other schools interested would be San Beda,” he added.

Montinola said San Beda, which has 14 NCAA titles, including a three-peat, will be a strong candidate if it applies.

“They’re strong in all sports, their alumni are always behind them, they have a serious basketball program that would enhance the popularity of the UAAP,” said Montinola.

“With them around, we would have old rivalries that would be rekindled and create new ones like UST-San Beda, FEU-San Beda, La Salle-San Beda, things like that,” he siad

He, however, said San Beda must pass all the requirements for it to be accepted as a regular member.

“First, they must be a university and they’re in the process of becoming one. They should write a letter of application and they probably have to pay a fee because the UAAP is quite a valuable product that if they want to join the party, they have to open their checkbook. – Joey Villar