After 12 years, the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines is returning to the MVP Group.
The NCAA officially named Cignal TV as its new broadcast partner, with the agreement finalized on Wednesday.
The partnership will begin with Season 102 until Season 103, with Cignal airing the Seniors Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, and Cheerleading Competition.
The announcement came a day after the 80th birthday of MediaQuest chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, making the occasion even more significant.
Pangilinan is a distinguished alumnus of San Beda University, the host school for NCAA Season 102.
“We’ve long been eyeing the NCAA to be added to our growing ledger of sports properties. Here in Cignal, we are sports, and we welcome you to your new home,” said MediaQuest Holdings Inc. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
This athletic year’s theme is “Strive. Believe. Unite.”
“We are delighted to find the best home for the NCAA with Cignal, and we’re overjoyed to begin a new chapter in the storied history of the league. We believe this collaboration will strengthen Philippine sports and we look forward to a fruitful and meaningful collaboration with Cignal,” said NCAA Philippines Policy Board President Fr. Aloysius Maranan, OSB of host San Beda.
The last time the NCAA partnered with the MVP Group was from Seasons 88 to 90, when its games were aired on AKTV on IBC before moving to AksyonTV.
Since then, the league’s broadcasts have been handled by ABS-CBN Sports from Seasons 91 to 95 and GMA from Seasons 96 to 101.
The NCAA narrowed its search for a new broadcast partner to two finalists: Cignal TV and the Bilyonaryo-Abante Group.
According to multiple sources closely monitoring the negotiations, the NCAA ultimately chose Cignal TV because of its sports broadcasting expertise.
With the deal, Cignal TV now serves as the home of both the UAAP and the NCAA, further cementing its position as the home of collegiate sports in the Philippines.
It also marks the first time both collegiate leagues will be carried by the same network since the NCAA and the UAAP were both under ABS-CBN Sports.
“This partnership with the NCAA strengthens Cignal’s dedication to bringing only the best for Philippine sports and elevating it to new heights. We’re very thankful that you’ve entrusted us with this responsibility of covering the NCAA,” said MediaQuest Holdings Inc. President and CEO Ricky Vargas.
“Cignal is ready to bring the NCAA to the next level and we’re elated to bring the action to reach more audiences through our platforms,” added MediaQuest Holdings Inc. Chief Financial Officer & Cignal Officer-in-Charge Christopher Lizo.
NCAA Season 102 will open on September 13 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
