NCAA Season 98 will be delving away from tradition for its opening day. And it’s because of a reason beyond the league’s control.
The defending champion will not be facing the season host since four student-athletes from Colegio de San Juan de Letran have tested positive for COVID-19.
Knights head coach Bonnie Tan confirmed the news to Tiebreaker Times.
“Under health protocol lang yung mga players natin,” said Tan.
“Sa last test four of them eh.”
Season-host Emilio Aguinaldo College will instead face Arellano University on Saturday at 3:30 PM.
Unlike the other member schools that attended the NCAA Season 98 Media Launch, held at Novotel Manila, only Tan arrived without his team captain.
But thankfully, none of the Knights who tested positive experienced a severe case.
“Hindi naman [concern]. We all need rest lang sa mga players na under health protocols,” Tan said.
“Nothing to worry. Normal lang, five-day quarantine lang naman.”
Letran will make its season debut on September 14 against Jose Rizal University at 12 noon.
The Generals will instead face the Knights on October 11 – the last day of the elimination round.