San Beda to host NCAA Season 102

After months of rumors regarding a potential San Beda University transfer to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, a school official has confirmed that they are hosting NCAA Season 102 next year, signaling that they are not transferring in the immediate future.

The hosting was confirmed by the NCAA Management Committee last Tuesday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, with the turnover of hosting duties from Mapua University to San Beda set for June 15.

"Pag nagcha-champion ang San Beda, iniisip nila laging lilipat sa UAAP," San Beda representative to NCAA Mancomm Atty. Jonas Cabochan said about a move.

"'Yung paglipat na 'yun, chismis lang 'yun na mabili. 'Pag may bumibili, pag-uusapan," he added.

(When San Beda wins a championship, there’s always speculation about moving to the UAAP. Those are just rumors that people like to believe. When there are people buying it, there will be talk.)

Speculation about San Beda exploring a move to the UAAP resurfaced following the Red Lions’ men’s basketball title run in NCAA Season 101 last December.

“Mag-abang na lang tayo ng susunod na balita. We still don’t know, but news is coming,” San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta said in December when asked about the NCAA basketball tournament format.

(Let’s just wait for news to come. We still don’t know, but news is coming.)

The speculation intensified after Janti Miller announced his transfer to De La Salle University, citing San Beda potentially joining the UAAP.

“Unfortunately with recent understanding of the timing of Beda joining the UAAP, I have decided to transfer. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else but I refuse to play in the NCAA league,” Miller said in a social media post.

One thing is certain, though: San Beda is preparing to host the next NCAA season.

UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag had also previously said nothing has been definitive regarding San Beda’s potential interest or the possible entry of other schools into the league.

“We have been talking about it for decades, and I don’t know about the word application but talks have been [there]… and hindi lang one school. There have been talks ever since I was ED and even before that,” Saguisag previously said.

“Nothing definitive has been ruled on that matter,” he added.

—JMB, GMA News