The 96th season of the NCAA will finally come off the wraps in June after a delay brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

Following the theme “Rise Up Stronger,” NCAA Season 96 will hold its opening ceremonies on June 13.

NCAA Season 96 management committee chairman Fr. Victor Calvo of season host Letran confirmed the news on Friday, May 21.

“[This is a] big development,” Calvo said.

Set for a season inaugural in May, the NCAA had to push back its launch to June after the government put Greater Manila under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in April.

Greater Manila has eased to general community quarantine (GCQ) with “heightened restrictions.”

For Season 96, the NCAA will stage online competitions for chess, poomsae, and taekwondo, and skill-based events for basketball and volleyball.

Possible skill-based events for basketball and volleyball, which will be streamed online, include a three-point shootout and drills challenges, among others.

Indoor contact sports are still prohibited in Greater Manila as the GCQ with heightened restrictions runs until the end of May.

The NCAA will air its events on GMA, its broadcast partner for the next five years. – Rappler.com