The quarantine classification in Metro Manila will have to be less restrictive before tournaments in basketball and volleyball can be staged.
Organizers of National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 96 said this as they get ready with the opening ceremony this Sunday.
“Yes, hintay-hintay muna,” said management committee chief Fr. Vic Calvo of host Colegio de San Juan de Letran during Friday's virtual press conference.
Fr. Calvo said the decision to wait it out comes, with the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases coming up with Resolution 120, stating that “indoor non-contact sports venues with Safety Seal Certifications, such as fitness studios, gyms, skating rinks, and racket sports courts in the National Capital Region Plus areas, shall be allowed to operate at thirty percent (30%) of their venue capacity.”
Because of this, the league plans to initially hold skills challenges in basketball and volleyball, and online competitions in chess and taekwondo.
“We have yet to discuss this. With 30% indoor, non-contact sports, and skills challenges, as proposed by GMA-7, puwedeng gawin” said Fr. Calvo.
NCAA Policy Board president Fr. Clarence Marquez stressed the need to enforce strict safety protocols during the season.
The star-studded opening rites will be hosted this Sunday by real-life couple Khalil Ramos and Gabbi Garcia, along with Sophia Senoron and Martin Javier, the hosts of the league primer "Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96."
It will be held in the state-of-the-art Studio 7 inside the GMA headquarters, with the opening festivities set to feature Kapuso stars who will serve as flagbearers and muses for all 10 NCAA member schools.
The GMA Network will be the league's broadcast partner until 2026.
The opening ceremony will be followed by the virtual competitions featuring events in chess and taekwondo.
Fr. Marquez and Fr. Calvo will lead the opening rites.