With the indefinite absence of Philippine Christian University, NCAA is down to seven (7) member schools. To pump up the competition, the oldest athletic association in the Philippines added three (3) guest teams for the league’s 85th season – Arellano University, Angeles University Foundation and Emilio Aguinaldo College.
We will see these three guest teams field in players to compete in six (6) mandatory sports – athletics, basketball, cheer leading, football, swimming, and volleyball. If they decide to join other sports disciplines like table tennis and chess they have that option to do so.
Let’s take a look on these three teams.
Emilio Aguinaldo College. This PACUCOA accredited school formerly known as Marian School of Midwifery looks serious in its bid in joining the NCAA. Joining just as a guest team, they already boosted their basketball program by enlisting the service of African import Romeo Fortue.
The Ermita based EAC Generals is a member school of Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA), a young athletic association that started in 2002 and National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA). Do not think that this rookies of the league will give a little to no pressure to the member schools’ basketball teams, the Generals was a three-peat basketball champion in the UCAA from 2004-2006. In 2004 EAC Generals defeated PSBA-QC Jaguars, in 2005 EAC Generals defeated DLSU-D Patriots and in 2006 EAC Generals defeated St Francis Doves. The Generals also won a men’s basketball championship in the NCRAA during the academic year 2004-05, defeating San Lorenzo.
Angeles University Foundation. Honestly, I’m surprised that this school wants to be part of NCAA. The school is far from Manila and you know how heavy the traffic is especially during school days. Traveling from Angeles to Manila would take at least three (3) hours.
Does joining in the oldest athletic association outweighs the burden for both the school and the student-athlete’s? To think of it, AUF will have to spend a chunk of money for travel expenses, while the jocks need to cut their personal life (or study hours) even more. Besides, I don’t know how these long rides will affect the student-athlete’s game performance but this early, I could only guess one thing – poor performance.
Arellano University. The university that was named for former Chief Justice of the Philippines, Cayetano Arellano, is already marking its name in the athletic competitions prior to joining in the NCAA as a guest team. Arellano’s basketball team, the Arellano Chiefs won a back-to-back championships in the NCRAA. Spearheaded by former Cardinals’s coach, Leo Isaac, won in 2006 by defeated EAC and in 2007, Arellano defeated St. Francis.
How do you think these three (3) schools will do in the NCAA? Share them below.
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