NCAA Season 102 tips off at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, with games scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday each week.
Here's everything you need to know before Season 102 commences.
NCAA keeps format, adds twist
The 10 NCAA teams will follow last year's format, splitting into two groups for a double-round-robin elimination within each group and a single-round-robin with the opposing cluster.
Each team will have 13 elimination-round matches. The first round of the group phase will run from Sept. 13 to Sept. 29, and the crossover round will run from Oct. 1 to Oct. 22. The second round of the group phase will run from Oct. 23 to Nov. 10.
A key difference, however, will give the No. 4 seed at the end of the elimination format a twice-to-beat incentive in the play-in tournament.
Last season, the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds clashed in a knockout match in the play-in.
The Grand Old League will then feature crossover quarterfinals, in which the top two teams from each group will have a twice-to-beat advantage. This will be followed by best-of-three semifinals, with the losing teams competing in a third-place playoff, and concluding with a best-of-three finals.
This format was introduced in Season 101, combining elements of the NBA play-in tournament and the NCAA Division I men's hoops tournament in the U.S.
Who is the host school for Season 102?
San Beda University, which is undoubtedly the most decorated collegiate basketball program in the country with 24 championships, will host and open Season 102 on Sunday.
The opening will feature a doubleheader of games among last year's Final Four. The defending champion Red Lions will play College of St. Benilde Blazers at 2:00 p.m (PST). Last year's runner-up, Letran Knights, will take on the University of Perpetual Help Altas at 4:00 p.m.
How are teams clustered in the Group Phase of the NCAA Season 102?
Group A, a.k.a. the "Group of Death": San Beda Red Lions, College of St. Benilde Blazers, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, Mapua Cardinals, Lyceum Pirates.
Group B: Letran Knights, Arellano Chiefs, Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, San Sebastian Golden Stags, and Perpetual Altas.
Where will the NCAA elimination-round games be played?
Aside from the Sunday opener at the Mall of Asia Arena, fans can watch most of the games at the Playtime Filoil Center in San Juan from Sept. 14.
Some playdates will feature a different venue, however.
PhilSports Arena (Pasig) Sept. 21, Sept. 25, Nov. 9
Rizal Memorial Coliseum (Manila): Oct. 9
San Andres Gym (Manila): Oct. 30
How can I watch the NCAA Season 102 games?
Games will be livestreamed for free on Cignal platforms via the One Sports YouTube Channel and the CignalPlay app.
The league will also debut its telecast on NCAA NXT via Cignal TV Channel 264 HD and Channel 43 SD, and will continue broadcasting on ONE Sports and RPTV every Monday and Thursday.
What are the roster rules in Season 102?
Each team can have up to 15 players on its roster, with three additional players on the reserve list. All players must be Filipino.
Foreign student-athletes are still prohibited from the league, after the NCAA banned them from Season 96 in 2020. Season 95 in 2019 was the last season in which foreign student-athletes were eligible to compete.
What are some changes in coaching duties in Season 102?
Chito Victolero (Mapúa): The Magnolia Hotshots coach returned to his alma mater to rebuild the rookie-laden Mapua squad after the departure of Clint Escamis. Victolero will replace Randy Alcantara, who handed the Cardinals a title in Season 100.
Jamike Jarin (LPU): The veteran coach will now lead the Pirates with hopes of climbing into the Final Four, drawing on championship experience. He won a title with San Beda University in Season 92.
Paolo Layug (CSB): The new head coach is tasked with ending the Blazers' title drought, which dates back to 2000. Layug succeeded Charles Tiu, who is now the head coach of Phoenix in the PBA and will be an active consultant to Benilde.
Rodney Santos (San Sebastian) Took over the task of reviving the Golden Stags program, which has struggled to regain its footing in recent years. As a former Golden Stag, Santos first coached his alma mater in 2015 and finished seventh.
Final Four predictions: Who can come out on top?
San Beda and Letran have dominated the Grand Old League over the past two decades, combining for 17 of the 19 championships since Season 82.
San Sebastian and Mapua are the only teams to break that stranglehold, winning in Seasons 85 and 100, respectively.
But here's the tricky part for the Red Lions: None of their starting five from last season will suit up this year.
Yukien Andrada, Bryan Sajonia, and Joe Celzo have all moved on to the PBA, while Janti Miller is now playing for De La Salle in the UAAP league. Nygel Gonzales, who was expected to anchor the team, is sidelined as he recovers from an ACL injury.
It is up to head coach Yuri Escueta and the Jomel Puno-led San Beda to work things out, along with prized recruits such as Andrei Torculas, Dom Sarigumba, Maco Dabao and Dan Marcelo, to strengthen their bid for a title defense.
For Letran, the pressure is on the Rookie of the Year and star guard Jonathan Manalili, who will be orchestrating the Knights' offense. Veterans Aaron Buensalida and Kevin Santos will also anchor the squad as they look to bounce back from last season.
But San Beda and Letran will have plenty of challengers.
Jose Rizal University has emerged as an early favorite following a stellar preseason run, putting the Heavy Bombers in position to shake up the usual title picture.
JRU made the biggest statement by sweeping San Beda to win the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
After completing their one-year residencies, Chris Hubilla and Lawrence Mangubat immediately made their presence felt. Mangubat took home the MVP award and joined Hubilla in the Mythical Five as the Heavy Bombers secured their first Filoil title.
Perpetual Altas should not be overlooked after finishing on the podium last season. Their backcourt remains intact, with veteran guards Mark Gojo Cruz, LA Casinillo, and Shawn Orgo returning to steer the Altas' title push.
Who are the season debutants to watch in the NCAA Season 102?
Aldous Torculas (San Beda): Former UP swingman who looks to emerge bright for the title defense.
Daniel Marcelo (San Beda): Filipino-Canadian baller who is eager to make a name for himself and showcase his full potential. Originally suited up for Letrain in Season 101, but had a change of heart to play for its rival instead.
Lawrence Mangubat (JRU): One of the upcoming stars in the NCAA. He was hailed FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup MVP after giving JRU its first title.
Chris Hubilla (JRU): A Mythical Five-member in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Tournament. After a brief stint at Mapua, he transferred to JRU along with Mangubat.
Justin Cargo (Letran): NCAA Season 101 juniors' MVP who remained in Letran to help its redemption bid.
Aaron Manansala, Johnray Ladica, John Denver Baluyot, Shawn Vergara, Axel Mendoza (Arellano): All products of the Arellano Braves and committed to the Chiefs, hoping to steer Arellano in Season 102.
