NCAA season unfolds; St. Benilde faces Letran

The National Collegiate Athletic Association opens its 77th season today with four explosive games kicking off hostilities in the country’s oldest collegiate basketball league and an elaborate opening ceremony highlighting the grand celebrations at the Araneta Coliseum.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza will be the special guest and speaker in the inaugurals which starts at 12 noon. He will join NCAA president Dr. Oscar Suarez of host Philippine Christian University in the ceremonial toss between San Sebastian and Jose Rizal at 1 p.m.

Mapua and Perpetual clash at 3 p.m. while College of Saint Benilde, which beat San Sebastian to win last year’s crown, tangles with Letran at 5 p.m. before the hosts battle the San Beda Red Lions in the 7 p.m. main game.

Focus will also be on the traditional "Palabas" entitled "The Heritage of Sports: A Search for Balance and Harmony" featuring the NCAA cheerleaders and chorale.

As a sideshow, the league will also feature the search for Mr. and Ms. NCAA 2001 after the traditional parade of teams which will be followed by the awarding for the NCAA junior, senior and overall championships.

The opening rites and the games will be aired live by the Media Conglomerates Inc. over PTV 4 through the facilities of Silverstar Communications, Inc.