NCAA Season 99 basketball tournament tips off Sunday

NCAA Season 99 officially begins on Sunday, September 24, with its men's basketball tournament opening at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The season's theme is "New Heroes of the Game," with the opening ceremony set for 2 p.m., followed by two explosive games.

The opening day will feature a match between the Letran Knights, aiming for their fifth consecutive championship, and the JRU Heavy Bombers, the season host.

The second game will pit last year's runner-up College of St. Benilde against Final Four entrant Lyceum of the Philippines University.

The league is returning to a more normal schedule post-pandemic, featuring an expanded calendar that includes badminton and table tennis, alongside traditional sports like basketball, volleyball, athletics, and swimming.

Additional sports in the season lineup are cheerdancing, taekwondo, chess, and grassroots programs such as kiddie basketball and 3x3 basketball.

Dr. Vincent Fabella, the Season 99 policy board president, expressed excitement for the return to full competition.

The games will be televised simulcast on GMA and GTV live and streamed through GMA's YouTube channel, with playing days on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.