San Beda University has firmly put to rest swirling rumors of a potential transfer to the UAAP, reaffirming its continued commitment to the National Collegiate Athletic Association ahead of its hosting duties for Season 102.
Atty. Jonas Cabochan, San Beda’s Management Committee representative and Season 101 vice chairman, dismissed the speculation as an annual byproduct of the Red Lions’ sustained success — emphasizing the school’s historical ties as the lone remaining founding member of the country’s oldest collegiate league.
“Alam niyo, gaya ng sabi ko, pag nagcha-champion ang San Beda, iisipin nila na laging lilipat sa UAAP. San Beda is the last founding member of the NCAA. Nakita naman natin na nakatulong ang San Beda sa sports,” Cabochan said during the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum held at the PSC Media Room in Manila.
“Kaya yung paglipat na ‘yon, chismis lang ‘yon na madilim. Siyempre, pag may bumibili, pag-uusapan. Pag wala nang bumibili, hindi ka na pinag-uusapan, ikaw na lang bumibili ‘eh.”
With the outside noise addressed, Cabochan revealed that San Beda — even with a few events left (golf, boxing, aerobic gymnastics, and weightlifting) before the conclusion of Season 101 — is now focusing on delivering stellar hosting duties for Season 102.
Hosting the Grand Old League for the first time since Season 92 (2016–2017), Cabochan is confident that the Red Lions can take it up a notch this time around.
The last time San Beda hosted an NCAA season, it captured the general championships in both the seniors and juniors divisions. The Red Lions also reclaimed the men’s basketball title after surrendering a three-game Finals series to Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Season 91.
“Huwag ka nang mag-look forward kasi pinag-uusapan pa lang, maglo-look forward na. Hindi natin matututuhan nang focus yung golf. Pero siyempre yung Season 102, gaya ng pagsagot ko, masaya at tsaka we are optimistic,” Cabochan explained.
Cabochan’s optimism extends beyond San Beda’s hosting duties, as he teased a highly anticipated new broadcast partnership for the NCAA following the end of GMA Network’s five-year run with the Grand Old League.
The partnership between GMA and the NCAA began in 2020 and spanned five seasons, covering seniors’ and juniors’ basketball as well as men’s and women’s volleyball competitions.
During that period, NCAA games were broadcast across various GMA platforms, including GTV, the Heart of Asia Channel, and free digital streaming through its social media pages and YouTube channel.
“Sabi ni chairman, abangan ang susunod na kabanata. Pero meron [na kausap na network],” Cabochan shared.
“For me, okay, pero siyempre mas maganda na kausapin niyo yung mga naging chairperson ng NCAA nung time ng NCAA and GMA partnership kasi sila yung mas nakipag-usap sa network ‘eh.”
