Merger Fever
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The College Basketball preseason is just around the corner. And any basketball addict I bump into that follows Philippine College Basketball has asked me about the NCAA and UAAP merger initiative. They’ve read, heard, and hell yeah discussed with a cold can of beer about the great news that the SBP has finally making its presence felt by unifying the NCAA and the UAAP to forge a unified college basketball tournament.
But is such a merger possible? For one thing, history has it that the UAAP is a breakaway league of the NCAA. And the UAAP has enjoyed financial success since accepting two former NCAA members into its fold.
If ever the NCAA and UAAP should decide to make another milestone thru this merger, what kind of format will they use? A concept can be is to have each league go on a single round format then take the top 4 teams from each, have a crossover knockout match to determine the final 4 and so on.
A more radical scheme can be since the UAAP is the more “influential�, because of the so called “size� advantage (not who is the elder) over the other league, willing to absorb arguably the 4 “big� or original teams of the NCAA and comprise the Premier or Division 1 league. The next 4 teams will be merged with the other college leagues such as the NCRAA to form the 2-tier league or Division 2.
Another approach for the formation of a US NCAA type format would be to combine the top 4 teams from both the NCAA and UAAP the Division 1 league. The bottom 4 from each league will be relegated to Division 2 status. This method might cause some loathing among member teams because, for sure, those teams that got the 2-tier bid will have a lot of questions about their category alteration and the organizers better justify their basis for making such a change if they decide to go into this direction.
Or, both leagues can just go by their own business, the champions from both leagues meet for a final time to fight for the bragging rights - as the best college basketball team. The CCL or now known in 2007 as the CNC, has this vision, so why make it redundant?
As recent incidents from the 2007 edition of the CNC pointed out, that teams, after a grueling grind during the season, will most likely suffer from basketball fatigue and will surely make this an excuse to skip the event even if you give them advance notice that such an endeavor do exist in the College Basketball calendar. In other words, nobody is taking this noble undertaking seriously.
Eligibility, scheduling and all these operational concerns will not be the issue. The issue remains in the interest of the stakeholders themselves that will determine if they want this to work. Both leagues have met in preseason tournaments, post season games in recent past which definitely prove that this merger can work. It is just a matter of pride and coming together plus the idea of who really is the best is enough to convince everyone that this merger will be the future of Philippine College Basketball.
Tags: Be-Like-Mike, Columns, NCAA-Philippines, UAAP, UAAP-and-NCAA-merger, UM HawksRelated posts
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math01
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Tuesday, 1 January 2008 at 3:14 pm
this move will improve the Philippine collegiate scene in the country. I suggest to have a double round robin which each team is to play the other two times just like the format for both in the UAAP and the NCAA. But start the season as early as June and games will be held tuesday up to sunday. So the Basketball calendar of june-september or october will not extend. What do you think Mike?
bulon1122
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Wednesday, 2 January 2008 at 1:25 am
the merge will surely boost the skills of collegiate players…i am in favor with the merge…
bulon1122
+0
Wednesday, 2 January 2008 at 1:42 am
BAP-SBP pursues merger
By Nelson Beltran
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The first order for the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas this new year is to work on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAAP and the NCAA as practically all member schools have welcomed the possible merger between the two leagues at least this coming season.
SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio said the federation, headed by businessman-sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan, is now preparing a letter for the separate boards of the two varsity leagues, recommending the formation of an ad hoc organizing committee to discuss concerns, issues and ideas for the unification.
“Everybody’s excited with the proposal and we really have to take advantage of it as we’re confident the plan will benefit the schools and the sport,� said Gregorio.
“We’re happy other national sports associations see the potential of this project. We’re happy the swimming association sees this as a brilliant idea. Hopefully, the other stakeholders see it that way too,� Gregorio added. “Mr. MVP is sincere in his effort to help. He sees it as a way to boost the sports programs of the schools and Philippine sports in general.�
Pangilinan and Gregorio were to meet yesterday afternoon to discuss the federation’s other plans and programs.
“It’s New Year’s Day and Mr. MVP is calling a meeting. It just shows his dedication in basketball,� said Gregorio.
“We’ll pursue the (NCAA-UAAP merger) plan. We’ll do it step by step. The basic recommendation is let’s go for the big one. It’s not really a merger but let’s play together in 2008,� added Gregorio.
The SBP, for one, is looking to strengthen the country’s varsity program this year in preparation for the World University Games in Belgrade next year.
Major concerns in the possible merger are the tournament format, rules and the two league’s contracts with TV coverer ABS-CBN.
Gregorio, however, is confident the ad hoc organizing committee can address these.
“This is not only an SBP-UP-Mapua affair. Anybody who wants to help formulate the program is welcome. The UAAP and the NCAA will still make the final decisions at yun TV coverage pwede rin naman sa ABS-CBN pa rin mapunta,� said Gregorio.
As UAAP this coming school year, the University of the Philippines is spearheading the plan as part of its centennial founding anniversary. Mapua, meanwhile, is the host of the next NCAA season.
ayawnapapigil
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Wednesday, 2 January 2008 at 10:16 am
talgang ayaw na nila papigil.. hehe…
mike abasolo
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Wednesday, 2 January 2008 at 3:31 pm
Kindly listen to our podcast. It looks good but there will be a lot of issues. Especially with ABS-CBN. But we hope that ABS-CBN will agree and support the idea.
spoof
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Wednesday, 2 January 2008 at 4:59 pm
IMHO, I think it’s good idea, but it’s too short a time to prepare for this.
I think eligibility should be discussed. Especially if they intend to absorb in more leagues in the future.
I know this is a BBall site, but there will still be a lingering question, Basketball lang ba?
red pride
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Wednesday, 2 January 2008 at 9:56 pm
if there is a will, there is a way! nothing is insurmountable…i believe in MVP…mabuhay ka, sir! mabuhay ka Mr. Gregorio! those who want the betterment of Phil. basketball will always be there to back u up.
Justice
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Sunday, 6 January 2008 at 9:59 am
it’s better siguro kung division 1 ang UAAP then division 2 NCAA. pagkatapos ng double round robin ng each division, kunin yung final 4 ng uaap and final 4 ng ncaa, dun na yung cross over noon, uaap 1 (twice to beat) vs ncaa 4 / uaap 2 (twice to beat) vs ncaa 3 / uaap 3 vs ncaa 2 (twice to beat) / uaap 4 vs ncaa 1 (twice to beat). tapos final 4 then best of 3 or best of 5 finals. isa lang ang magchachampion! either sa uaap iyan o sa ncaa…itong format muna ang gamitin nila. madali at hindi pa complicated.hindi rin masyadong matagal ito.hindi rin masyadong maaapekyuhan ang revenues ng both leagues and hindi pa hahaba ang season.
pero ang opening sabay dapat para merge talaga ang dating.
Justice
+0
Sunday, 6 January 2008 at 10:01 am
ang malaking problem talaga dito ay yung revenue, dapat talagang pagusapan ito, pero ang maganda sa elite 8 nalang ang hatian ng revenue dahil dun naman papasok ang cross over.
sa rules and eligibility, dapat mag compromise ang both league, one rule lang dapat from the start until finals.
i think its not too late, pwede pa iyan within 6 months.
sa merge na nasuggest, pwede parin naman na maglaban sa finals yung uaap vs uaap, or ncaa vs ncaa. depende na iyan sa outcome ng elite 8 at final 4. as of now, this is the best format i could suggest.
palagay niyo?
pinklipps
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Monday, 7 January 2008 at 10:28 pm
where can I get the cd?
leondealabang
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Tuesday, 8 January 2008 at 10:08 am
Maganda ang merger ng 2 premier collegiate leagues pero sana sa 2009 na lang para mas mahaba preparation gaya ng kung anong format gagamitin.
Grrr!
+0
Tuesday, 8 January 2008 at 11:20 am
Merger is now out of the question at this point in time. But the teams of both leagues can play teams from the other division this season but still maintain their own league championships.
Let the teams in each division play each other twice and the other teams of the other league once. This would mean an additional 8 games per team. It would be very palatable to ABS –CBN as more sponsorships spots are opened up.
All games will have a bearing in determining the final 4 positions in both leagues. The championship series (semis and finals) would involve only the teams of those leagues.
This way, the NCAA and UAAP teams can battle each other out with all games important in determining placing in the standing.
Thus, the championship round will be a dedicated UAAP and NCAA affair. The asinine contention of loss of history, identity and tradition would not hold validity.
mike
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Tuesday, 8 January 2008 at 2:44 pm
Without the support from both leagues, particularly ABS-CBN, this merger will just be a dream. But let us continue to support the CNC. We hope everybody gets the picture
wye
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Wednesday, 9 January 2008 at 4:26 am
Do you mean that the UAAP is division 1A and the NCAA division 1AA? This isnt necessary anyway because the level of competition is pretty close and there aren’t that many participating schools. With 16 teams a nice format would be single round robin for classification then knockout games - #1vs#16, #2vs#15 and so on - until the finals. Got this from the world pool championships.
yellow_we
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Wednesday, 9 January 2008 at 2:07 pm
bottom line is… it ain’t gonna happen! well.. not for now maybe. the near fact that UAAP is a breakaway league of NCAA and thus decided to go on its own and indeed made their own tradition and history then, logically speaking, the merger is not attainable - not that just yet.
math01
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Thursday, 10 January 2008 at 12:03 am
its sad because UAAP made it clear that their IDENTITY and TRADITION is more important than raising the brand of college basketball in the country. I remember what COACH FRANZ PUMAREN said in an interview, (not exact words though) “Im for it. But other people should give way for this to be accomplished.” something like that.
The Dont Mind
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Saturday, 12 January 2008 at 6:02 pm
CNC is a step in the right way. A merger this early is waaaaaaaaaay bad. No need to rush things. The two leagues should take it step by step… :)
But, hey, dont mind me :)
prince
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Monday, 14 January 2008 at 7:52 pm
nothing’s gonna happen. too much politics. haven’t we learned that good ideas that are good for the people but don’t make money for the powers that be never materialize? face it. just go to work, cash in that meager paycheck, turn on the tv and watch that will-do basketball league they’re shoving down our throats.
mike
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Tuesday, 15 January 2008 at 3:11 pm
Politics and basketball don’t really mix. I don’t know why they still follow this formula.
Grrr!
+0
Thursday, 17 January 2008 at 2:08 pm
as for politics and basketball not mixing… please tell that to baketball politicians like yeng guiao, bobby jaowrski, freddie webb, atoy co, yoyong martirez, etc., ad nauseatum…
it’s really boxing and politics that are immiscible, as our pambansnag kamo found out the hard way…
peace
+0
Friday, 18 January 2008 at 10:43 am
too much pride on the uaap side…. tama yung isang comment.. ganyan ang nangyayari sa mga magagandang idea. napupuunta sa basurahan dahil sa politics, self interest. how good is that? 16 teams fighting for a single crown? excitement will not end in that format per sayang. down to the waste basket.
peace
peace
+0
Friday, 18 January 2008 at 10:43 am
lets just keep our players ncaa and lets see what will happen to the uaap who’s just depending on the organize basketball programs of juniors in the ncaa.
tax_e_vasion
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Wednesday, 30 January 2008 at 1:14 pm
Kung ako lang talaga, UAAP + NCAA + lahat ng iba pang leagues sa south, north, o kung san pa man
Tapos playoffs format sa finals
Tapos talagang professional referees na di nababayaran kunin
Kung sinong panalo sila na pinakamagaling sa Pinas. No questions asked.
Lahat ng talo iyak na lang. Better try next year
Tapos shut up na tayo lahat
Tapos pabayaan yung champion magyabang buong taon
Yun yun!!!!
mike
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Wednesday, 5 March 2008 at 6:50 pm
We were hoping that this “merger” would be a reality. Politics just got in the way again.
chellotte
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Thursday, 27 March 2008 at 11:50 am
I like the idea of a merge.