Del Rosario keeps post as NCAA commish

MANILA, Philippines - Aric del Rosario will remain as commissioner of the National Collegiate Athletic Association when the NCAA 86th basketball season unwraps on June 26 at the Araneta Coliseum.

NCAA Management Committee chair Frank Gusi of host San Sebastian yesterday confirmed the appointment of Del Rosario a few days after the board chaired by league and San Sebastian president Fr. Anthony Morillo, OAR, convened at the San Sebastian Mendiola campus.

“The NCAA board has officially appointed Aric del Rosario as the commissioner of the 86th basketball tournament,” said Gusi, who succeeded San Beda’s Jose Mari Lacson.

“Like last year, we will not favor anyone, we will work all the games fair and square and without bias,” said Del Rosario.

Del Rosario is expected to bring in the same core of referees that officiated all basketball games, including the junior division, last year.

San Sebastian ended its seven-year title drought by ruling last year’s NCAA caging, scoring a stunning sweep over former three-peat titlist San Beda.

Del Rosario steered the UST Tigers to multiple titles, including a rare four-peat feat in the 90s and the Pampanga Dragons to the national championship in the defunct MBA.

Season 86 will have nine teams this year, led title favorites San Sebastian, San Beda, Letran, Jose Rizal, Perpetual Help, St. Benilde and Mapua with Arellano U and Emilio Aguinaldo College as regular members on probationary status.

The Stags take on the Knights and the Lions going up against the Bombers in the June 26 opener at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Cardinals square off with the Altas while the Chiefs and the Generals collide in the other match on June 27 at The Arena in San Juan City.