The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will implement a new tournament format for its basketball competition in Season 101.
Instead of the traditional double round-robin, teams will first be divided into two groups for the elimination round.
A drawing of lots—attended by coaches, players, and the NCAA Management Committee—was done to determine the groupings. Prior to the draw, the Final Four teams from last season were already assigned to the two groups.
Group A:
- Mapua University
- Lyceum of the Philippines University
- University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
- San Sebastian College–Recoletos
- Arellano University
READ MORE | Group A Preview
Group B:
- De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde
- San Beda University
- Colegio de San Juan de Letran
- Jose Rizal University
- Emilio Aguinaldo College
READ MORE | Group B Preview
The said groupings will also be used for the juniors tournament.
Elimination Round
Each team will play all the other teams in its own group twice, and teams from the opposite group once, for a total of 13 games per team.
Play-In Round
The two lowest-ranked teams at the end of the elimination round will face off in a play-in game. The winner will earn the fourth seed in their respective group, completing the quarterfinals bracket.
Quarterfinals
The top two teams in each group will have a twice-to-beat advantage heading into the quarterfinals.
The No. 1 team in each group will face the No. 4 team from the opposite group.
The No. 2 team in each group will face the No. 3 team from the opposite group.
(A1 vs B4, A2 vs B3, B1 vs A4, B2 vs A3)
Semifinals
Winners of the quarterfinals will advance to the best-of-three semifinals.
Finals
The winners of the semifinals will face off in a best-of-three finals series.
A third-place game will also be played between the semifinal losers.
According to NCAA Season 101 Management Committee chairman Melchor Divina, this new format is expected to bring more excitement to the tournament:
"Exciting kasi nga dalawang bracket na 'yan, limang school bawat bracket. Kahit ikaw, after elimination ay panglima ka, puwede ka pa rin umangat dahil sa play-in," Divina said.
NCAA Season 101 will open on October 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
