Del Rosario eyed as NCAA commissioner

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda, which will host this year’s NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), is considering multi-titled coach Aric del Rosario for the commissioner post when the 85th season of the country’s oldest varsity league kicks off in July.

Del Rosario, who has been commissioner of the Fr. Martin Cup for many years now, is expected to be recommended by top officials of the Red Lions, who are seeking their fourth straight championship.

“He (Del Rosario) is really being considered, and most probably, he is the one,” a source told The STAR yesterday.

Incoming league president and San Beda rector Fr. Mat de Jesus, OSB, however, refused to comment on the issue but said they would make an official announcement when the NCAA Policy Board composed of school heads and presidents convenes this May.

“We’ll know by May,” De Jesus yesterday told The STAR.

Jose Mari Lacson, who will assume the league’s Management Committee chairmanship vice Fernando Lozano of Mapua, said San Beda is going all out to ensure the successful staging of the 85th NCAA.

Del Rosario steered UST to a four-peat in the UAAP from 1993-1996 and the Pampanga Dragons to the championship in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association in 1998.

He also led the RP team to the 2003 Hanoi Southeast Asian Games basketball gold medal before he took over as commissioner in the collegiate leagues, like the Fr. Martin Cup.        – Joey Villar