National Capital Region Athletic Association opens 25th season on Dec. 5

NEWCOMER teams AMA Computer College and University of Luzon will get their baptism of fire on Dec. 5 as the National Capital Region Athletic Association ( NCRAA) celebrates its silver season at the Cuneta Astrodome.

AMA Computer College and University of Luzon ( UL) are two of the four newly added members in the NCRAA alongside New Era and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa.

Known as the Titans, AMA is considered a seasoned campaigner in different leagues despite its status as a newcomer in the NCRAA.

Coached by Mark Herrera and bannered by veteran players in the D - League headed by Andre Paras, son of PBA legend Benjie Paras, the Titans will take on Philippine Merchant Maritime School ( PMMS) in the 2 p. m. encounter right after the match between Asian Institute of Maritime Studies ( AIMS) and University of Luzon at 12 noon.

The Golden Tigers of University of Luzon will travel all the way from Dagupan City to face the Blue Sharks, who are just a stone throw’s away from the venue.

All 16 teams will be divided into two groups.

AIMS and UL will be in Group A together with De Ocampo Memorial College, Olivarez College, Philippine School of Business AdministrationQuezon City, Saint Francis of Assisi College, Technological Institute of the Philippines and New Era University while AMA and PMMS are in Group B along with De La Salle UniversityDasmariñas, Emilio Aguinaldo College- Cavite, National College of Business and Arts, PATTS College of Aeronautics, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa and University of Makati.

The teams will play a single round amongst themselves for seven games each with the top four in each group advancing to the knockout crossover quarterfinals. Both the semifinal and championship series will be in best- of- three affairs.

Buddy Encarnado, a longtime basketball figure head of the Sta. Lucia Realtors both in the PBA and the old PABL, is the new general manager of the league while former Crispa Redmanizer Bai Cristobal will be the commissioner. —