Game On kickstarts NCAA Season 98

Game On!

The 98th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association will kick off on September 10, but getting the ball rolling for the season by broadcast partner GMA starts on September 5 with GMA Synergy's "Game On!" on GTV.

For this week, Game On will have the troika of Martin Antonio, Martin Javier, and Anton Roxas break down the upcoming season with a five-episode primer.

Javier shares, "We're hoping as sportscasters to bring so much input and entertainment kasi symempre bukod sa nangyayari sa court, it's our job to make it a little bit interesting and a little bit more fun for our audience - both at home and 'yung mga nanonood ng live. It's our job to make it more fun and entertaining aside from what they are already seeing on the court." He is very much looking forward to providing viewers with additional knowledge and entertainment.

Roxas reflected on the last couple of seasons, and he says, "We start off with Game On!, then we have the game, then at halftime, we have Kapuso artists perform. In between, we have interesting discussions, interviews with Kapuso celebrities and players. We  also get to converse with the coach. Hindi ganun ang pag cover ng sports noon. This is the first time that this has happened. Kung ano ang nakita namin sa Season 96 and 97, expect a more exciting way of presenting sports that will happen in Season 98. I think that's the evolution of the way sports is being presented - it's not just sports - it's also sports and entertainment."

Antonio hammered on the concept of the NCAA becoming more accessible to the public during the pandemic. According to him, "It's the first time in a long time that the NCAA became the number one priority and they are the most covered and the most accessible league right now in the Philippines. Even though it was still a pandemic year (during Season 97), it gave opportunities for the student body. Napapanood sila ng public, mas nakikita sa maraming platforms and mas maraming engagement from the student body. Given the partnership with GMA and GMA Sports, mas nabigyan ng pagkakataon, hindi lang ang artists but the players and the other people behind the scenes para mas maintindihan ng tao ang nangyari."

Game On! will continue to hype up NCAA fans this coming season, with stories, interviews, and features about your student-athletes, coaches, teams, and even the courtside reporters. This is set to even extend towards sports luminaries and notable alumni.

GMA Regional TV and Synergy First Vice President Oliver Victor Amoroso says, "After two successful seasons, we are gearing up for Season 98 of NCAA. And what better way to further pump up sports fans' excitement than having Game On - hosted by sports experts themselves Martin Javier, Anton Roxas, and Martin "Coach Hammer" Antonio. Martin has been with us since day one and has been very articulate when it comes to collegiate sports. Anton and Coach Hammer have been regular sportscasters of the previous seasons. Their teamwork and dedication to the NCAA have been instrumental for us to reach more audience. And as we begin NCAA Season 98 this September 10, GMA Network is excited to show to our viewers here and abroad the world-class talent of our Filipino student-athletes. We will Achieve Greatness Every Day with NCAA Season 98 starting off with Game On."

Game On! will be shown on GTV on September 5-9 at 1030am, with regular episodes slated in between the doubleheader of every NCAA playdate.

The Opening Ceremonies of NCAA Season 98 is slated on September 10, with the broadcast to take place on GMA as well as on GTV, locally, with overseas viewers able to check it out on GMA Pinoy TV and GMA News TV.