The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has terminated the rest of its Season 95 events due to the continuous spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the country.

NCAA management committee chairman Peter Cayco of season host Arellano University released the announcement of the policy board headed by president Francisco Cayco on Thursday.

“This was arrived at after consultation with the Policy Board members. First and foremost what was considered was the safety of the athletes, students, fans and officials,” said the management committee head in a statement.





“Eligibility matters of athletes being raised shall be discussed later,” he added.

The second semester centerpiece volleyball tournament, which was already nearing the end of the elimination round, was canceled along with football, lawn and soft tennis, track and field, 15-under basketball, beach volleyball and cheerdance competition.

The NCAA announced an indefinite suspension together with a proposal to the policy board to cancel the remainder of the season last March 9, as the Covid-19 cases in the country began to rise.

In a recent interview on DZMM’s Fastbreak, Cayco said that the senior players in unfinished events will be allowed to play another year provided that they are still within the eligible age of 25 years old and below.

“If it’s your final year, you still have one more year to play. But that is for those who have not completed their events,” he said.

“You can still play but we still have to clarify about the age. If you are still within the range, you can still play your final year.”

Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA athletic director and men’s volleyball coach Sammy Acaylar earlier suggested the NCAA to consider handing out the championship trophies and awards to deserving teams and players should it decide to terminate the season.

“If worse comes to worst, I’m hoping that they will give consideration to the teams that have no losses and players who excelled,” Acaylar told The Manila Times via text message.

“The unbeaten teams could be declared the automatic champions while the individual awards could be based on the available statistics,” added the former national team coach. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA