Organizers are still keen on pursuing their plans to start the 96th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association once a coronavirus vaccine is available.
But this could still change once studies on how a bubble type of setup can succeed in the collegiate level.
Management committee chairman Fr. Vic Calvo of season 96 host Colegio de San Juan de Letran said this as they evaluate the findings of committees formed to do their research.
“It remains the same because we have to follow the IATF protocols and the DepEd guidelines,” said Fr. Calvo.
Studies have been forwarded on how a bubble concept can be done in the Intramuros area, involving schools like Lyceum Philippines University and Mapua University, which are in close proximity.
Schools like Arellano University, San Beda University and San Sebastian College can also do a bubble type of activity since their campuses are near each other.
“They can do the bubble principle together. More or less, that’s the idea,” added Fr. Calvo.
Season 96 is expected to start in the second quarter of 2021 with a new broadcast partner.
With GMA 7 as its new broadcast partner, games of the coming season could be limited to just the four disciplines of basketball, volleyball, swimming and athletes.
A committee is studying if esports can be added, and what other games are possible.
The very popular basketball games are also now expected to be held during the weekend, with GMA 7 making plans to have a separate channel for sports.
The NCAA did not have weekend games when it had ABS-CBN as broadcast partner back then.