THE policy board of the National Collegiate Athletic Association remained undecided on which of the four applicant-schools will be the league?s newest member in the coming 85th season.

League chairman Reynaldo Vea of host Mapua and members of policy board said all four schools are eligible to make the grade.

But since only one will be accepted this year, NCAA spokesman Henry Atayde said the league has found it difficult to make a decision.

He said that they need to discuss the matter more, and will likely decide at the end of the 84th season, which will be hosted by San Beda.

The management committee has chosen the Emilio Aguinaldo College, Lyceum of the Philippines, Angeles University Foundation and Arellano University for the Final Four.

Of the four, Arellano and EAC were said to be the top choices, but a unanimous or even the required 2/3 vote was not gathered during the deliberations.

Officials of the mancom said the schools were able to answer their questions?a quantitative and qualitative survey on their high school programs.

Only one of the remaining four will join the league in the coming season after Philippine Christian University opted to take a leave of absence.

Next season, more screenings will be conducted for two more new members to be accepted in 2010.

Over the past months, an evaluation committee made their rounds on the five school to find out if they have the facilities to hold events of the NCAA.

League officials indicated that the league plans to split competitions into two divisions once they have decided to accept new members.

The school which will be accepted needs to comply with three requirements, namely the payment of a P5-million entry fee, a three-year probationary period and participation in all calendar events in the senior, juniors and women?s divisions. Peter Atencio