Mapua University and Lyceum of the Philippines University banner Group A, while De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, San Beda University, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran are pooled in Group B as the NCAA implements its new basketball tournament format for Season 101.
Mapua, the reigning champions, and fourth placer LPU have been assigned in Group A, while runner-up Benilde and third-placer San Beda were put in Group B, with their standings as basis for the groupings.
In the presence of the NCAA Management Committee, players, and coaches, drawing of lots was also held on Friday at the Philippine Columbian Association for the six other teams. The coaches themselves were the ones who did the draw.
NCAA's Season 101 groups
Group A:
Mapua Cardinals
LPU Pirates
Perpetual ALTAs
San Sebastian Golden Stags
Arellano Chiefs
Group B:
Benilde Blazers
San Beda Red Lions
Letran Knights
JRU Heavy Bombers
EAC Generals
NCAA's new tournament format for Season 101:
Eliminations:
-Each team will play their group twice, while they will play the the teams in the other group once.
Play-in:
-By the end of the elimination round, the 4th and 5th seed per group will play in the play-in which will determine the fourth spot in the group heading into the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals:
The top team of each group will play against the no. 4 team of the opposite group, while the second seeded team will face the no. 3 team of the other pool.
The top two seeds of each group will have a twice-to-beat advantage.
Semifinals:
The winner of each series will advance to the semis and will play in a best of three series.
Finals:
The winner of the semis will play in a best-of-three series
NCAA coaches optimistic about new format
Coaches present in the draw were generally optimistic about the new format.
"[Either] Group A or Group B ka, same lang kasi nakita naman natin nung preseason, makikita mo na sino ang malalakas sa season na 'to. [It] doesn't matter kung Group A or Group B ka, ang exciting doon kahit [number] four our five ka, may chance ka for Final Four," head coach Randy Alcantara of defending champions Mapua told GMA News Online.
"Nabawasan ng games pero maganda nga, very exciting nga."
[Whether you're in Group A or Group, it's the same because we saw in the preseason, you can see who will be strong this season. Doesn't matter if you're Group A or Group B, what's exciting is even if you're four or five, you have a chance at the Final Four... There are fewer games but the new format looks good and exciting.]
While the games were lessened, concerns about the team schedule and its impact on strength and conditioning were also raised. The Management Committee, however, said they will align the schedule in such a way that it will be optimal for all teams.
Benilde head coach Charles Tiu also said while he would have wanted more playing opportunities for his players, just like in the old format, he still welcomes the new development.
"The first goal is to finish top two para may twice to beat sa quarterfinals, but obviously our goal is to win a championship, that's always the goal for us. Hopefully it will come to us this year, but all the teams are stronger so tingnan natin papaano."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
