Sea Lions face tougher tests in NCRAA tilt

MANILA, Philippines –  Nine varsity squads, led by last year’s finalists Olivarez College and Rizal Technological University, will fight it out for the top honors when the 18th season of the National Capital Region Athletic Association starts with the men’s basketball games on Nov. 23.

The Olivarez College Sea Lions, who won their first-ever crown in 17 years at the expense of Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder, will be in for a more challenging season ahead after organizers introduced a new format this year.

Under the new basketball format, the top six teams in the first round will advance to the second round. The top four squads in the second phase will then advance to semifinals of this tournament supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

Aside from basketball and volleyball, member schools will also dispute titles in chess, table tennis, beach volleyball and taekwondo.

“We expect a tougher competition under this year’s new format,” said NCRAA president Gerardo Sergio of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.

The Sea Lions, under coach Michael Saguiguit, will play against this year’s host school, Philippine Merchant Marine School, in the 10 a.m. opener at the Olivarez College Sports Complex gymnasium in Sucat, Parañaque.

Other varsity teams seeing action are the Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite Vanguards, the Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers, the Colegio Sta. Monica Cougars, the La Salle-Dasmariñas Patriots, the PATTS College of Aeronautics Sea Horses, the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars and the RTU Blue Thunder.

Defending champion RTU will try to retain the crown in men’s volleyball when games begin on Nov. 25 at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

The La Salle-Dasmariñas Lady Patriots will seek their second consecutive title in the women’s division.