The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is excited to attract more viewers locally, nationally, and globally after signing a landmark deal with GMA Network.
The partnership is slated for five and half years—Seasons 96 to 101 (2020 to 2026)—including the NCAA's centennial year in 2024.
In JP Soriano's report for "24 Oras," Fr. Rector Clarence Victor Marquez, OP, Policy Board President of NCAA Season 96, said the league is thrilled to be showcased on GMA's various platforms.
"We feel so warmly welcomed by the GMA family," said Marquez, also the president of Colegio De San Juan De Letran, the host of Season 96. "As we say here, it's Siempre Arriba, Siempre Letran, Siempre NCAA, Siempre GMA."
"With GMA on board as our partner, we look forward to reaching more people and really promoting the brand of NCAA," he said.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, only four events will be held in Season 96: basketball, volleyball, track and field, and swimming.
"We are clear that we will be having perhaps a shortened season but nonetheless it will be intense given that in other events, it has proven successful in terms of a bubble concept," Marquez said.
GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon said that GMA-7 is proud to be chosen as the new home of the country's first and longest-running collegiate athletic league.
"We are grateful to the NCAA board for putting their trust in GMA to serve as a platform in showcasing the talented Filipino student athletes," he said in a statement.
Fans can catch the games on GMA News TV and via online streaming on GMANetwork.com, while viewers abroad can also catch the action via GMA Pinoy TV.
The Men’s Basketball Finals will be aired on the Kapuso Network's main channel, GMA-7. —MGP, GMA News
