 |
| Fatima is among those rumored to be making the jump to the NCAA, but Season 102 ManCom chairman Jonas Cabochan said that expansion is not yet in the league's mind at the moment. Pinoyliga Cup (file photo) |
PASAY—The NCAA remains a 10-team league for now, as it prioritizes a successful opening program for the upcoming 102nd season on Sept. 13 before entertaining possible expansion.
Season 102 chairman Jonas Cabochan said on Monday that the NCAA management committee has yet to schedule a time when it can discuss with some applicants regarding their interest in joining the country's oldest collegiate league.
"It has not been calendared yet because the focus is on the opening of NCAA Season 102," Cabochan said during the preseason press conference at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
At least four colleges, Centro Escolar University, Our Lady of Fatima, Philippine Christian University, and San Beda-Alabang, have long been in the rumor mill regarding a move to the NCAA.
CEU, whose NCAA transfer rumors date back to 2014, and Fatima were invited to play in last season's Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament as guest teams.
The Scorpions and Phoenix also have competitive men's basketball programs.
On the other hand, the idea of San Beda's Muntinlupa campus joining the NCAA began floating amid speculations that its sister school at the heart of Manila's U-Belt district was set to make a jump to the UAAP as early as the upcoming 89th season.
However, the UAAP reportedly moved to defer its own expansion, and San Beda Manila assured that it will play in NCAA Season 102 as the host school.
Meanwhile, many fans believe that PCU may be prioritized among those looking to join the NCAA, as it had previously been in the league.
Winner of two general championships and the 2004 men's basketball title led by Gabby Espinas, Jayson Castro, Beau Belga, and Rob Sanz, PCU left the NCAA in 2009, two years after it was embroiled in a player eligibility scandal mainly involving some members of its high school basketball team.
The NCAA policy board suspended PCU for Season 83 and allowed them to return for Season 84, but after a 3-11 campaign in 2008, the school took an indefinite leave of absence, only to join NAASCU and later UCAL.
After PCU left, the NCAA immediately welcomed Arellano, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and Angeles University Foundation, but only Arellano and EAC remain as regular members.
When asked about PCU's situation, Cabochan said that it would be the policy board's discretion whether to allow the school to return.
"Call ng policy board 'yan kung paano mapapaganda at makikinabang ang pagsali ng isang school at paano makikinabang ang NCAA at ang kanilang fans," Cabochan said.
Word has reached Dugout Philippines from an insider that St. Clare and New Era were rumored to be also in the mix, but another said New Era officials never thought about it at all.
