Guest teams to shell out P2M before joining NCAA

MANILA, Philippines – Guest teams in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will have to cough up P2 million before they can be accepted to play in the league’s 85th season to unwrap on June 27 at the Araneta Coliseum. Three schools, namely Arellano University, Angeles University Foundation and Emilio Aguinaldo College, have been extended invitations by the NCAA Policy Board headed by Fr. Mat de Jesus, OSB, of host San Beda College. “We’ve sent the invitational letter to the three schools last Thursday and we’ll give them until April 24 to reply to our invitation," said De Jesus. Invited teams will be asked to compete in mandatory sports athletics and swimming aside from basketball. But the schools will also have to pay P1.5 million as entrance fee and P500,000. The guest teams, added De Jesus, will see action only for this year and should they want to join next year, they have to submit an application for membership with the league. The three said teams applied for membership with the NCAA last season but none of them got the required two-third votes from the league officials to be included as new members for this year. “They will be given the opportunity to feel how it is playing with the NCAA while the league itself will benefit with bigger fan base and more excitement with at least 10 teams competing," De Jesus said. Arellano University, a many time champion in the NCRAA, has already agreed to the conditions set by the NCAA. “We have received the invitation and we will definitely join the NCAA," said Arellano University marketing director Val Cayco said. Host San Beda is seeking a rare fourth straight title in basketball this season. Out to stop the Lions are Jose Rizal University, Mapua, Letran, St. Benilde, San Sebastian and University of Perpetual Help Dalta System. Philippine Christian University, which was the eighth team last season, took a leave from the league starting this season as part of the conditions set when the Dolphins were allowed to compete last year. PCU was supposed to serve their second one-year suspension for using an ineligible junior player four years ago. The Dolphins, however, can rejoin the league next year although they will have to reapply with the NCAA. –GMANews.TV