NCAA reveals Season 101 logo, forges partnership with the PSC

(Seated from Left to Right): Mr. Melchor Divina, NCAA Committee Chairperson and MU Athletics Moderator, Dr. Dodgie Maestrecampo, MU President and CEO, Mr. Patrick Gregorio, PSC Chairman, Walter Francis Torres and Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, PSC Commissioner.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officially forged a proud partnership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with the signing of a ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement.

It also marked the debut of the new logo for NCAA Season 101, followed the turnover of Mapúa University as the host school for this year’s season. The event was held recently at Mapúa University in Intramuros, Manila.

The signing ceremony was attended by committee members from the 10 participating schools, Mapúa University President and CEO Dr. Dodgie Maestrecampo, NCAA Management Committee Chairperson and Mapúa Athletics Moderator Mr. Melchor Divina, PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, and PSC Commissioners Walter Francis Torres and Matthew “Fritz” Gaston.

This partnership opens a new era in collegiate sports, as the PSC and NCAA join forces to enhance athlete development and empowerment of collegiate sports excellence. The new logo, which symbolizes dynamism, greatness, and unity, represents the NCAA's evolving values and its commitment to embracing innovation in sports.

With Mapúa University as the season’s host, Divina also introduced a revamped basketball game format, which divides the teams into two groups and includes two elimination rounds.

This change intensifies the competition and offers a fresh, exciting challenge for the participating schools. Atty. Rico Paolo Quicho, the incoming NCAA Basketball Commissioner for Season 101, also spoke about the fierce competition that lies ahead, stressing that every game will be crucial.

He added that with the new format, complacency will no longer be an option and only consistency will lead to success.

PSC Chairman Gregorio expressed his gratitude for the partnership, emphasizing the long-term benefits of the collaboration, “And this is a milestone. Sabi ko nga, this is a covenant that must last another 100 years.’’

``Imagine we have three or four more Olympic sports in the NCAA calendar, with the support of PSC, with the cooperation of the NCAA. We can expect more medals in the Olympics,” added Gregorio.

Gregorio also shared his message to the ten participating schools and the NCAA Committee and expressed optimism for the swift partnership with the PSC, highlighting its mutual benefits and also emphasizing the importance of the future of NCAA schools student-athletes, noting that it will aspire them towards a pathway to elite competitions globally including the Olympics.

“But in the next three to five years, this is a legacy for the NCAA. The NCAA started 101 years ago and you are reinventing the league to serve the country. That is why I’m very happy,” said Gregorio.

In the comments of the new basketball game format, Chairman Gregorio said, “No harm in trying, you know. We’ll never know if it is successful or not unless we try, Gano’n ang sports ’diba. You try to conceptualize and invent and reinvent to highlight the excitement of basketball. So all the best to [the] NCAA,’’ said Gregorio.