The collaboration between GMA Network and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) continues on Monday, September 5. It assured the latest season of the collegiate tournament would be better.
The two entered a partnership in 2020, giving the Kapuso Network the rights to broadcast season ’96 of the tournament. It continued until season ’97, and now the newest season ’98.
In the press conference held at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City, First Vice President and Head of GMA Regional TV and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso revealed that the past seasons gave the Network a reasonable amount of time to prepare for a new one.
“So itong coming opening ceremony, plus the coverage of day 1 and day 2 this Saturday, talagang napaghandaan natin. And I think ‘yung season ’97 was a good headstart for us na mas lalong mapaganda si season ’98, especially that aside from men’s basketball, and women’s volleyball, eh mayroong iba pang mga sports na talagang inaabangan na rin siya,” he said.
The tournament, which will begin on Saturday, September 10, should also be anticipated, added Amoroso, as the “whole team is complete for game 1 and game 2.”
“Masasabi kong handang-handa na ang Synergy, and its sports production.”
GMA Network will also follow more stringent COVID-19 protocols to ensure the safety of both the athletes and the live audience.
“Ang kagandahan nitong season ’98, dahil meron na nga tayong series sa ’97, not doon sa coverage but doon sa protocols—kasi ang protocols talaga kailangang i-follow. So we can proceed with the games,” pointed out Amoroso.
The games will be at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. For the opening matches, Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) will be up against Arellano University (AU) at 3:30 p.m. A matchup between San Beda University and Mapua University at 6 p.m. will follow.
In the meantime, GMA Network’s Synergy has recently launched a five-episode show titled Game On! which will have Martin Javier, Anton Roxas, and Martin “Coach Hammer” Antonio discussing season ’98 as part of the upcoming games this weekend.
