NCAA moves Season 96 opening to June

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is moving the opening ceremony of its 96th season to June.

Colegio de San Juan de Letran's Fr. Vic Calvo, NCAA management committee chair, confirmed the development on Thursday.

"Mid-June na opening as per agreement with GMA due to ECQ (enhanced community quarantine)," Calvo said in a message to GMA News Online.

The NCAA had initially planned to open the season in the first week of May.

The ECQ, which restricted mobility among its residents due to the coronavirus pandemic, was reimposed in Metro Manila and nearby provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal last March 29. It was extended until April 11.

NCAA Season 96 will feature virtual competitions for taekwondo and chess, and also plans to hold skills challenge competitions for basketball and volleyball.

Last Month, Calvo said hosting the special season is Letran's gift to the NCAA community.

The NCAA games will be aired on different platforms of GMA Network under a five and a half-year landmark deal which was inked last November. —JMB, GMA News