The historic 96th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) came to a close on Sunday.
Season 96 host school Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) turned over the hosting duties to De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) which will handle the league's new season.
CSJL rector and president Fr. Clarence Victor Marquez, OP admitted that there were challenges in mounting a league amid the coronavirus pandemic, but NCAA Season 96 showed what it takes to come back stronger despite the adversities.
"In the Olympic spirit, by competing, we have already won. By playing, we have honored the game. By pushing through and completing this special Season 96, we have made the NCAA rise up together, stronger than ever, more relevant and ready for the next chapter of our history," Marquez said in a statement aired on 'Rise Up Stronger.'
CSB president Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC accepted the hosting rights for the next season.
"May this coming season be a year of extraordinary unity for all our schools, as well as for the nation," he said.
Marquez and Fernandez also thanked GMA Network, its newest broadcast partner, for giving the NCAA a new home.
“From all of us here in GMA Network, we extend our warmest congratulations to the NCAA Season 96 Policy Board and Management Committee, NCAA student-athletes and coaches, and the entire NCAA community for successfully mounting its most challenging and fruitful season yet," GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon said.
“Once again, NCAA has made history by becoming the first collegiate athletic league in the Philippines to safely hold a sports tournament in the time of pandemic. Keeping the spirit of sportsmanship alive during these trying times is a necessary message that promotes unity and hope. That when we all come together, we can all rise up stronger. This makes us even more proud to call GMA the home of NCAA," he added.
"We feel even more honored to be part of an institution that continuously helps shape the future of our young athletes and national pride. So, as we culminate NCAA Season 96, we leave you with a promise that GMA Network will remain committed to provide NCAA with a world-class treatment and a well-deserved global recognition. Ang inyong Kapuso Network, buong puso para sa NCAA.”
GMA Network will be the home of the NCAA until Season 101.
—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News
