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.

Don’t lose hope.

Now that the official word came out, the NCAA Tournament this 85th season will have 10 Schools. Guest teams Arellano University, Angeles University Foundation and Emilio Aguinaldo College will join member schools Colegio de San Juan de Letran, College of Saint Benilde, Jose Rizal University, Mapua Institute of Technology, San Beda College, San Sebastian-Recoletos, and University of Perpertual Help Dalta System.

Let’s hope that when the tournament starts on June 27, 2009, the addition of the three schools will help rebuild the glory of Philippine National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The NCAA has set its plan of expansion. Division II, as it will be called, will be composed of newly admitted schools. The league has already visited and issued invitations to schools such as Arellano University, Emilio Aguinaldo College and the Lyceum of the Philippines University.

With the graceful exit in the League of Philippine Christian University next season, the Association will go down to seven schools. It would mean, less games, less competition and may also mean less excitement.

For years, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) arguably surpassed the NCAA in terms of crowd, fans, supporters, and.. drama.

Yes, the NCAA is the talk of the town lately. Thanks to the four way tie in the Basketball Tournament. But it will not last.

Fret not.

If Arellano University, Emilio Aguinaldo College and the Lyceum of the Philippines University would ever be allowed to join the league to make it a ten (10) school league, it will bring back glory to the league.

Centro Escolar University, Angeles University Foundation, Don Bosco-Makati, Technological Institute of the Philippines and Lyceum University are also looking forward in joining the NCAA.