The opening of season 97 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association has been pushed back further.
Originally set for March 5, the league’s opening will now be held in the final week of March after government COVID-19 restrictions in Metro Manila have dropped to the less strict Alert Level 2 starting Feb. 1.
Host College of St. Benilde is now seeking the advise and clearance from the Commission on Higher Education in its bid to get several exemptions from the current guidelines concerning the restrictions imposed on sporting events.
If their plans are approved, the league could hold basketball and volleyball events with no audience.
If proposals are turned down, the league could once again be limited to online events.
So far, there are four sports events that are on tap for the coming season, namely basketball, volleyball, chess and taekwondo, which will have online competitions in poomsae and speed kicking.
The NCAA Management Committee and its network partner GMA are now discussing broadcast arrangements.