NCAA expands roster to 10 teams

MANILA, Philippines - The National Collegiate Athletic Association yesterday approved to add three more schools this year, raising the league’s seven-team roster to 10 when the 85th NCAA basketball season kicks off June 27 at the Araneta Coliseum.

League president Fr. Mat de Jesus, OSB, of this year’s host San Beda said the NCAA Policy Board has decided to invite three schools although he refused to disclose which from among Arellano University, Angeles U Foundation, Lyceum and Emilio Aguinaldo College have been picked.

“We have decided which schools are those and it’s going to be maximum 10,” said de Jesus. “But we can’t go public about it until we have finalized or determined everything.”

De Jesus hopes to come up with the announcement after the Lenten break.

“If none of them would accept then we’re stuck with seven teams,” he added.

The San Beda rector, however, stressed that the invitation to the three schools is different from the application for membership.

De Jesus said all colleges and universities can actually apply, including Philippine Christian University, a former member which took an indefinite leave of absence this year, which reduced the NCAA cast to seven.

“We will be open this year to schools applying so long as they meet all the requirements. They have to apply, we will not set a limit, we’re not expecting any yet,” said de Jesus.

Last year, seven schools applied for membership but only Arellano, AUF, Lyceum and EAC made it to the final deliberation.

The Policy Board, then chaired by Dr. Reynaldo Vea of last year’s host Mapua, however, failed to muster the required two-thirds vote to accept an eighth member.

De Jesus also denied talks that the decision to expand is part of a bigger plan to form a super league.

“We’re not planning on it specifically but if this will be part of further development in the future then I believe that would be good for the NCAA,” said de Jesus. “Certainly I’m very bullish to whatever it is that would benefit the league in the end.”

“But if this would improve the league, if this will increase the level of performance as well as the level of athleticism then I’m all for it,” he added.