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| Former NCAA star and commentator John Vic De Guzman admitted that he hoped that the league would stay with GMA a little longer. Richard Esguerra |
MANILA--Broadcasting giant GMA has already ended its national television partnership with the NCAA after a six-year stint.
The top network group posted a thanksgiving video right at the conclusion of the national TV broadcast of the women's volleyball finals Game 3 between College of St. Benilde and eventual champion Letran on Friday on its digibox-exclusive channel Heart of Asia giving props to the league for making them their home since 2020.
The said video montage was shared on the page of Synergy, the production arm of the live coverage, on Monday.
While GMA essentially confirmed the end of its partnership with the NCAA on Friday, word has reached Dugout Philippines that talks of the eventual non-renewal of the broadcasting rights have been prevalent since last year.
Former volleyball star and now actor John Vic De Guzman admitted to Dugout Philippines that he really thought of the possibility that GMA would renege on its initial decision and have another run with the NCAA before the word was already out in the public.
"Sa totoo lang, hindi pa nagsi-sink in sa akin noong una kasi feeling ko mae-extend eh, pero right after the championship, noong nag-announce na si Martin (Javier) na this is our last broadcast, doon na ako nalungkot lalo na yung pinost nila lahat noong kinover nila simula nung nag-start," De Guzman said when he dropped by the Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City, just a few blocks away from GMA's headquarters, to watch the MPL Philippines matches on Sunday night.
The Blazing Spikers' former main man did some commentary as an analyst for the league's volleyball matches.
Information from people privy to the situation said that two networks have already expressed interest about acquiring the NCAA broadcast.
One source said that one station has begun the bidding process, while another said that officials from the other broadcasting bidder will sit down with the league's top honchos later this week.
De Guzman, who starred in the hit afternoon drama "Abot Kamay Na Pangarap", bared that his contractual obligations with GMA's talent arm Sparkle could hold him back if ever either of the two bidders reaches out to him to join the commentary pool again.
"I love sports, pero kung magkakaroon ng conflict between the network itself, syempre magfa-follow tayo sa rules na kailangang sundin," said the 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalist, who led CSB to the NCAA Season 92 championship two years before.
The dilemma could also affect Javier, who while already with the NCAA broadcasting team since its second run with ABS-CBN, has signed with Sparkle as well.
De Guzman, though, said that he can quickly accept an offer from the new NCAA broadcaster to join the commentary panel if GMA gives him the clearance.
"Dyan ako galing sa NCAA. Forever, ang puso ko nasa NCAA," he said in conclusion.
Interestingly enough, GMA's informal announcement of the end of its NCAA broadcasting deal came on the same day the UAAP renewed is national TV partnership with Cignal.
Both collegiate leagues went separate ways TV-wise in 2020 after the Congress approved a motion to not anymore renew the broadcasting franchise of ABS-CBN for another 25 years.
While the UAAP remains a Kapatid for another five seasons, the NCAA's Kapuso era ended right there.
