Collegiate basketball won last Sunday as more viewers stayed glued to their TV screens during the Game 1 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines (NCAA) Season 97 Basketball Finals which aired live on GMA and GTV.
Based on Nielsen Philippines’ overnight data for May 15, the NCAA 97: Stronger Together Buo Ang Puso—Finals Game 1 on GMA and GTV recorded a combined average of 3.7 percent people rating in NUTAM (National Urban TV Audience Measurement).
This was way ahead of TV5’s PBA Gatorade Season 47 Draft, which only posted an average of 1.6 percent people rating.
Viewers were at the edge of their seats as defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL) and Mapua University (MU) battled it out during Game 1 of what is aptly called the “Battle of Intramuros” at the jam-packed Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Playing catch-up for most of the game, the Letran Knights rallied late in the fourth quarter and seized the opener of the best of three series. With forward Rhenz Abando suffering an injury during the third period, his teammates led by Brent Parasio, Jeo Ambohot, Fran Yu, and Mark Sangalang played big to secure the victory against the Mapua Cardinals.
The hardcourt action continues with Game 2 on Sunday, May 22, with live airing again on GMA and GTV with the Cardinals’ solid numbers from Warren Bonifacio, Arvin Gamboa, Brian Lacap, Adrian Nocum, and Jeric Pido.
Game 2 of the NCAA Finals was anchored by Synergy Sports host Anton Roxas and Sports analyst Mikee Reyes. Joining them was guest analyst Benjie Paras. The awarding ceremony was hosted by Synergy Sports host Martin Javier.
“Game 1 between Letran and Mapua was really intense and we would like to thank all the NCAA fans who watched last Sunday. I would like to congratulate both the Letran Knights and Mapua Cardinals for giving us a very exciting final,” shared NCAA Season 97 Management Committee Chairman Manuel Raymund Castellano, Jr. of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.
“I would like to congratulate NCAA basketball teams, from its players to its coaching and support staff, for their sacrifice and hard work this Season 97. You all made your schools proud. Your GMA Network, especially Synergy, will continue to work on providing our viewers the best NCAA coverage we can offer, capturing hardcourt drama at its best. I would like to thank the NCAA community for their all-out support as we continue to strengthen the NCAA as the premier athletic league in the Philippines and Asia,” said GMA Regional TV and Synergy First Vice President and Head Oliver Victor Amoroso.
Further heating up the basketball showdown was Julie Anne San Jose who performed during halftime.
For more updates on NCAA, visit its official website www.ncaa.com.ph. Follow @ncaaphilippines, @gmasynergy, and @gmasportsph on social media.