NCAA eyeing in-person games this year

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is hoping to finally stage in-person meets especially in top-draw sports basketball and volleyball by Season 97 later in the year. But officials admitted it won’t be that simple.

League organizers said because NCAA athletes are students, in-person competition would require the approval of several other agencies like government health bodies and the Commission on Higher Education.

“For us to resume these sports many things must happen first, like in-person classes,” admitted NCAA management committee member Peter Cayco of Arellano University.

Cayco said the students’ welfare make hosting bubble tournaments complicated for the NCAA, unlike leagues like the Philippine Basketball Association.

Still, with the next season happening tentatively by September, officials are optimistic that there is enough time to get the health crisis under control and restrictions ease up in the National Capital Region.

The government had earlier allowed 30 percent capacity for gyms and resumptions of indoor noncontact sports. The development boosted the chances for the NCAA to hold skills challenges for both basketball and volleyball in the ongoing Season 96.