July 14, 2012 marked the first time UAAP and NCAA games were aired on national TV on the same day. Wonder why? Here is what happened.
Shortly before the NCAA began its 88th season on June 23, they signed a new lucrative contract with the Associated Broadcasting Corporation, better known as TV5, to air its games through the AKTV block on IBC 13. Under the new contract, the seniors games will be aired on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 4-8 pm. Looks like a smart move for Manny V. Pangilinan, isn't it?
Under previous coveror ABS-CBN, NCAA games were aired mostly on Wednesdays and Fridays only, with most, if not all Monday games aired only during the Final Four and the Finals. With the arrival of AKTV, they were able to air all games at the aforementioned days. The only prominent game they did not cover so far was the now-famous San Beda-Arellano game. That game saw the six-player Red Lions team, decimated by player suspensions, upset the 15-man Chiefs team on June 24.
The move to AKTV also rescinded the NCAA's previous commitment to host its games at the state-of-the-art Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, with logistical problems cited for the decision. The new schedule put up by AKTV would be in conflict with most of the UAAP schedule, which plays its games on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. And because most of the NCAA games played host to sparse crowds, hosting a game at the MOA would be costly as well.
The UAAP's 75th season just got underway today, with National University, this year's host and whose owner Henry Sy bankrolled the construction of the MOA Arena, blowing out the University of the East by over 30 points. Far Eastern University then escaped past the University of Santo Tomas after trailing by as much as 12 points in the second game. Meanwhile, a pair of blowouts in the NCAA today saw Arellano University and San Sebastian College defeat Lyceum of the Philippines University and Jose Rizal University, respectively.
Aside from the MOA, the UAAP will host select games at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum and the PhilSports Arena for the first round alone, mostly for non-marquee games. The Ateneo-La Salle game, perhaps the one game both school's fans encircle on their calendars, will be at the MOA on July 28.
The first ever basketball game at the MOA was held on July 7, when the PBA hosted a Governor's Cup semifinal game between the B-Meg Llamados and the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters.
Every Thursday and Saturday, from July to October, there will be no ratings war. Instead, for college hoops fans, this will be a time to switch channels more often to watch some of the future pros slug it out on the hardwood and make an impact. Whether rooting for the highly physical NCAA or the more glamorous UAAP, fans are looking forward for this opportunity to cheer loud and proud.
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