EMILIO Aguinaldo College will have its hands full in the 13th season of the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA), both as host and defending basketball champion.
The Generals, who will try to prove that their last year’s title romp was no fluke when the league opens on Jan. 13 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, are also Season 13’s host of the country’s biggest athletic league with over half a million students in its membership.
"I hope we can strike a perfect balance between doing a fine hosting job and defending our basketball title," said youthful EAC Generals’ mentor Nomar Isla.
One of Isla’s main concerns on the basketball court is how to fill up the void left off by the absence of their main man last year — Nino Songco, who has used up his playing years with the Generals.
Songco powered EAC to the championship over the Colegio de San Lorenzo Griffins, who are taking a leave of absence this year, together with La Salle-Manila.
Songco played the best game of his life in his final game last season when he delivered 25 points, pouring 10 points in the extra period and enabling EAC to extricate itself from a 76-all regulation deadlock. Songco’s performance earned for him the much coveted Most Valuable Player award and gave the Generals their first NCRAA championship in six years.
With the Griffins and the Archers out for the rest of the season, powerhouse teams such as the St. Francis Doves, Philippine School of Business Administration and the La Salle-Dasmariñas Patriots are expected to challenge the Generals’ supremacy.
The Generals are also expected to find tough competition from the likes of Olivarez College, Patts School of Aeronautics, AMA Computer College, National College of Business and Arts and Arellano University.
Philippine Maritime Institute, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, City Colleges of Manila and league newcomer Asian Colleges of Science and Technology are also capable of springing a surprise or two.
The opening of the games will be telecast on a delayed basis by ALC Productions of Abel dela Cruz.
Former Philippine Sports Commissioner Tisha Abundo is handling the reins of the NCRAA as its newly elected president. She is being backed by Olivarez College’s Teddy Talens, who was voted Vice President and PATTS College of Aeronautics’ Benjamin Hernandez, who was chosen Secretary. Other key officials are treasurer Rewel J. Santural (AMA Computer College), auditor Isla and PRO Jun T. Quinio (National College of Business and Arts).
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