TAGLINED as “Stronger Together. Buo ang Puso”, the 97th Season of the National Collegiate Association of the Philippines (NCAA) commenced on Mar. 26. It signaled the much-awaited return of Men’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball Tournaments and also the chess and taekwondo tournaments. This season is hosted by De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde (CSB). It was originally set to launch on Mar. 5, but was later pushed back on the 26th to give the athletes more time to prepare. 

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the current season put up a strong comeback being telecast on the renowned television network, GMA, as their official broadcast partner, and GTV as it holds its grand opening ceremony. It was hosted by Ms. Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo, Kapuso star Manolo Pedrosa, and NCAA hosts Martin Javier and Sophia Senoron. Partaking in the event are Anton Roxas, NCAA anchorman, and the courtside reporters for the sports event. Performances from the biggest Kapuso Stars and the all-male shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra, Asia's Got Talent first season winner, made the opening more compelling.

The Fight for the Semis Berths

The play-in tournament for Men’s Basketball was held at the St. Benilde Gymnasium in Mandaluyong. Due to budget constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic, each game is reduced from the usual double-round elimination to just a single round. The tournament was held every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with two matches each day.

Kicking-off the Men’s Basketball is a match between CSB Blazers and Defending Champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights who reigned victorious with 67-63. Concluding on the same day is a battle between San Beda Red Lions and Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates with the Red Lions coming up on top with 84-76. Two of the victors on an opening day have been dubbed by head coaches during the kickoff press conference as “teams to beat.” The Letranites are known for spoiling the Red Lion’s 4-peat reign over the crown at the finals of Season 95.

Four teams vied for their spot at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City for the semi final playoffs. Letran Knights, San Beda Red Lions, and Lyceum Pirates are the first three teams to secure their spot in the semis. The final team to book their ticket are the University of Perpetual Help Atlas who eliminated the CSB Blazers in a 76-64 whilst riding a four-game winning streak. CSB missed the final four boats for the 20th year. The qualified teams clashed on May 8 for the playoffs.

A Slight Variation

With a three-point lead, Mapua reached the NCAA championship for the first time in 27 years, ending San Beda’s 14th finals streak since 2005. This marked the first NCAA finals series without the Red Lions on its front row.

         Unfortunately for the Mapuans, the Letranites remained victorious for this season with a 75-65 win.  It was their 19th overall championship title and their first back-to-back since 1998 and 1999.  Rhenz Abando, University of Santo Tomas (UST) transferee, was crowned MVP of the season who scored 14 points and pulled 12 rebounds. Appending to their victory is Jeo Ambohot, dubbed as the finals MVP, who pulled up 13 points and nine rebounds.