Lions-Altas kicks off 'NC' Season 87

Manila, Philippines - The 87th NCAA basketball season fires off July 2 with defending champion San Beda battling host Perpetual Help and last year’s runner-up San Sebastian clashing with Jose Rizal U at the Araneta Coliseum.

Anthony Tamayo officially accepted Perpetual’s hosting of Season 87 from predecessor Fr. Anthony Morillo of last year’s host San Sebastian in yesterday’s turnover rites at the Casino Espanol in Manila.

“Perpetual Help is sincerely looking forward to the coming 87th NCAA season,” said Tamayo. “We’re up to the challenge and fully accept the hosting and with the full support and cooperation of all the members, we expect another banner season.”

The country’s oldest varsity league will have Letran’s Fr. Tamerlane Lana as vice president, Bro. Victor Frano of St. Benilde as treasurer and Dr. Vincent Fabella of Jose Rizal, Dr. Reynaldo Vea of Mapua, Fr. Aloysius Maranan of San Beda and Fr. Morillo as members of the executive board.

Management Committee’s Mike del Mundo also announced cheerleading has been upgraded to a regular sport, which means the results will now reflect in the race for the overall championship.

“Starting this year, cheerleading, not cheerdancing or cheer show as some call it, will not be a regular sports,” said Del Mundo.

Emilio Aguinaldo and Arellano U, both one year away from being elevated to regular status, will have more responsibility in terms of hosting as they would be given assignments in some sports.

“EAC and Arellano will be our understudies in terms of hosting because we’re training them for the future if their turn of hosting comes,” said Del Mundo.

The league is also considering Lyceum, which has been knocking on league doors for years, to become its 10th member this year that should all the more make it more exciting particularly in basketball.

“We’re expecting no less than exciting basketball competition this year,” said Tamayo.