Letran
hosts 81st season
by Nicanor Joseph Nepomuceno
For
the eleventh time since joining the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) in 1928, Colegio de San Juan de Letran hosts the 81st season of
the oldest collegiate league in the country.
This year’s theme is “One at 81: Values Formation through Sports.”
The theme suggests the real purpose of the formation of the NCAA in 1924,
which is to promote friendly relations among member colleges.
Letran’s last hosting of the NCAA was in the 1998-1999 season where
present Philippine Basketball Association stars Chris Calaguio and Kerby
Raymundo led the Letran men’s senior basketball squad in bringing
home the title. The Knights also reigned supreme in other events such
as the men and women’s seniors volleyball, track and field, table
tennis, and the juniors division of lawn tennis. In that year, Letran
won the first of its four double over-all championship titles.
The season kicks-off June 25 at 12 o’clock noon at the Araneta Coliseum
and televised live on Studio 23. With regards to the opening ceremonies,
Letran Athletics Moderator Fr. Victor Calvo, O.P. said, “We have
put so much effort into the hosting of this season and everyone involved
has been most cooperative.”
Peter Musngi of ABS-CBN said that their station is happy with the outcome
of their coverage last season and would continue to support the league.
He said the audience should expect a thrilling season this year with Studio
23 back at the helm of covering the opening ceremonies and the basketball
games this season.
The NCAA’s Management Committee (ManCom) formalized Letran’s
hosting of the 81st season during a turnover ceremony held on April 18
at the Casino Español on T.M. Kalaw, Manila. Policy board member
Fr. Hernan Omecillo, O.A.R., of San Sebastian College-Recoletos led the
opening prayer. Last year’s host University of Perpetual Help System
Dalta’s Chancellor, Dr. Ramon Cercado, turned the NCAA flag over
to Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, O.P., Letran’s rector and president, as
a sign of giving Letran the hosting right this season.
Several suggestions and concerns were addressed during the annual meeting
of the policy board and the ManCom. Dr. Reynaldo Vea of Mapua informed
the board about their request for a leave from NCAA junior events due
to the closure of their high school campus on Doroteo Jose. The board
unanimously approved his request. Vea, on the other hand, told the board
that they will resume operations in school year 2006-2007 and promised
to be active in junior events in 2007. Father Lao informed the members
of the board about his plan to create a training pool of referees in cooperation
with the University Athletics Association of the Philippines. He added
that the Adamson and Letran gymnasiums would be used as venues for the
training of referees.
