The National Collegiate Athletic Association will most likely cancel the rest of Season 95 as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In an interview with DZMM program FastBreak, the league’s Management Committee chairman Peter Cayco disclosed to Boyet Sison and Freddie Webb that they have recommended to the Policy Board the termination of the current season.
“Actually we proposed to the Policy Board to cancel na the rest of the season. We are still awaiting approval,” said Cayco of host Arellano University.
“But in the meantime, we were overtaken by the declaration of a lockdown. So we still have enough time to contemplate what to do. But for us in the Management Committee, we have decided to recommend the cancellation for the rest of the season because it will eat up to Season 96.”
The Policy Board consists of the 10 presidents of each member school — namely Arellano, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua University, San Beda University, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
The meeting is supposedly on Monday, March 16.
Moreover, Cayco shared that the NCAA and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines have been in constant communication regarding the necessary steps for the two sporting leagues to take in this extraordinary crisis.
“We consult each other, continuously exchange ideas with them. We have different approaches but we consult each other,” Cayco shared.
Regarding the student-athletes playing in their final year, the NCAA will not credit it to their ledger. In an unprecedented move, the league will also allow the graduating players to take a second degree just to play out their final year.
However, the players must still be within the age limit of the league come Season 96, set at 25 years, old to avail of this exemption.
“If it’s your final year, you still have one more year to play. Pero that is for those who have not completed their event,” said Cayco.
“You can still play, but we still have to clarify about the age. If you are still within the range, you can still play your final year.”
Events affected by the suspension are Indoor Volleyball, Football, Lawn Tennis, Soft Tennis, Track and Field event, Under-15 Basketball, and Beach Volleyball, as well as the Cheerdance competition.
