Is NCAA returning to ABS-CBN fold

This appears in the Saturday, April 18, 2015 edition of the Business Mirror.

Is NCAA returning to ABS-CBN fold

by rick olivares and joel orellana

Is the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines (NCAA) returning to its former television partner?

The Business Mirror learned on Friday that the NCAA has engaged in preliminary talks with network giant ABC-CBN to be the television coveror of the country’s oldest collegiate league for its Season 91.

“They [NCAA] requested a meeting. Nothing is final yet,” said the source, who requested anonymity. “Right now, nag-uusap pa silang dalawa.”

NCAA’s three-year deal with Sports5, owned by Manny V. Pangilinan, has already lapsed and there are no indications that the Kapatid Network would renew their agreement.

Prior to jumping to Sports5 in 2012, the NCAA spent 10 years with Studio 23, ABS-CBN’s sister network.

A lucrative offer, including a prime-time slot for weekend games and coverage of all sports, made the NCAA leave ABS-CBN. The three-year deal with Sports5 was believed to be more lucrative than what the league got from its last five-year contract with ABS-CBN.

The source said the NCAA Management Committee wants to fast track a new deal with ABS-CBN. The league opens its new season in late June.

Sports5 was mum on why it has not shown interest in renewing its contract with the NCAA although there were reports it also wanted the more glamorous University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

The UAAP, however, has already signed a fresh five-year contract with ABS-CBN.