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Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 combines many elements that it's not accurate to label the show as merely just a sports program.

At the center are the stories of the student-athletes and personalities from the ten schools competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

“'Yong star po dito sa show natin is gonna be the league, it's gonna be the athletes, 'yon po talaga ang gusto natin i-emphasize at gusto po natin i-push forward,” said seasoned sports anchor Martin Javier, who will be co-hosting the show with Miss Multinational 2017 Sophia Senoron.

“Kasi 'yan po 'yung magbibigay ng inspiration sa maraming tao lalo na on a collegiate level, mapa-athlete ka o ordinaryong tao, 'pag narinig nila 'tong iba-ibang istorya na 'to, instant inspiration po 'yan para sa kanila.”

Through the show, fans will know the stories and backgrounds of their favorite NCAA athletes including their struggles and their continuing journey to achieve their dreams.

Martin cited the story of point guard Rey Nambatac who traveled from Cagayan de Oro to Manila with only a little money in the hope of getting a scholarship as a student-athlete for a school outside the province.

Rey eventually earned a slot in Letran and went on to play for the school's varsity teams, winning MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the Juniors, and winning championships both in high school and college.

“He used the NCAA as a springboard para po makapunta sa PBA [Philippine Basketball Association],” said Martin.

Rey's tale is just one of the many stories of young athletes leaving their hometowns to pursue their dream of studying and playing their favorite sport.

In exchange, they have to endure extreme homesickness and the challenge of suddenly adapting to fast-paced city life.

Juggling their studies and the demands of being an athlete are no easy tasks as well.

“That's the part of the athletes that we're not able to see when we're just watching the games,” Sophia mentioned.

“'Yan 'yong sinasabi ko na every shot they make, every point they make, hindi lang sila 'yong panalo. 'Yong pamilya nila panalo, 'yong school nila panalo, 'yong fans panalo.”

She added, “Ang daming stories na ganyan, nakakaiyak, nakakatuwa. Makikita talaga natin na every carer is hard. Every career deserves 100 percent [dedication] kung gusto mo may mangyari sa 'yo.”

As a whole, Martin described the program as a “little bit of everything,” making it appealing to all types of viewers whether you're a sports fan or not.

“Meron po tayong mga sports content. Meron po tayong mga kuwento ng buhay ng mga players. Kakamustahin po natin sila,” Martin excitedly said.

“It's gonna be a talk show in a way because we'll be doing sit-down interviews live po sa studio and virtual as well.

“And a variety show dahil po dun sa mga games, activities, and challenges na inihanda namin sa mga players.

“So it's really a fun mix and a unique way of presenting sports.”

Catch Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 every Sundays at 5:05 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., and Mondays to Fridays at 2:45 p.m. on GTV.

Kapuso abroad can watch Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 via GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV. Visit www.gmapinoytv.com/subscribe for more details.