UAAP Basketball Championship


The University Athletic Association of the Philippines holds its basketball tournaments from September to December. Basketball is a mandatory sport in the UAAP. All eight universities participate in the Men's, Women's, and Juniors tournaments.
The tournament is divided into two divisions, the Seniors' division, which is further subdivided into the Men's tournament, for male collegiate players, and the Women's tournament for female collegiate players. The other division is the Juniors' which is also subdivided into two tournaments for the male and female high school athletes.
The UAAP basketball sport has a rich history of schools establishing dynasties. UE won a record seven consecutive basketball titles from 1965-1971 albeit the third one was a shared championship with UST. Ateneo had a 5-year winning streak from 2008 to 2012. Two other schools ended their championship streak at four. UST won it from 1993-1996 and La Salle from 1998-2001.
Championship in basketball is the most coveted title that schools aspire for during a UAAP season, but such aspirations have resulted in many controversies in the league. There are protests filed by the member-schools against each other almost every season. Ironically, the league has a handbook of its rules and regulations.

Tournament format

Pre-first expansion format

Before the UAAP's first expansion, teams would play a single round robin where the team with the best record would be crowned champions. If two or more teams are tied, they would be declared co-champions. No quotient system or knockout games were used to break ties.

First expansion format

Teams play a double round robin. The winner of the first round play the winner of the second round in a 1-game championship to determine the champion. Ties for round winners are broken by knockout games.
If a team wins both rounds, it is automatically declared the champion, regardless if it was a sweep or not. If a team fails to win either rounds, but ends up with a better over-all record than either of the round winners, that team will challenge the second round winner for a championship slot against the first round winner.

Second and third expansion format

Teams play a double round robin. The top two teams after the double round robin play in the Finals with the #1 seed holding a twice-to-beat advantage. If a team sweeps the double round robin, they are automatically declared champions.

Final four format

The tournament currently uses the Final Four format, first implemented in 1993. The Tournament begins with a double round robin elimination, where a team plays the other teams twice to determine which teams will qualify to the semi-finals. The top four finishers enter the Final Four phase.

Sweeper's advantage

Previously, if a team sweeps the double round robin, they are automatically declared champions. However, after UST's sweep in 1993, it was modified so that the sweeping team would automatically qualify to the best-of-three Finals. After UE swept their way to the Finals in 2007, it was again modified so that the sweeping team would now automatically qualify to a best-of-five Finals, holding a 1–0 game advantage.

Regular final four

If no team sweeps the double round eliminations, the four top teams qualify for the regular postseason.
The regular post-season is divided into the semi-finals and the Finals. In the semi-Finals, the two top seeds have a twice-to-beat advantage against the lower seeds.
The surviving teams face off in a best-of-three finals, where the team which notches two wins first wins the championship.

Step ladder final four

If a team wins all of the games in the elimination round, the step ladder format is used, where the unbeaten team has a bye up to the best-of-5 finals holding a 1-0 game advantage. The third and fourth seed will figure in a knockout game; the winner of that game will face the second seed with a twice-to-win disadvantage. The surviving team meets the first seed at the Finals.

List of basketball champions

Early years

The foundation of the UAAP by FEU, NU, UP and UST on 1938.

First expansion

Adamson University, Manila Central University, University of Manila and University of the East were admitted in 1952 on a two-year probationary membership status. Only UE and MCU retained as permanent member. However, MCU pulled-out in 1962. Adamson was readmitted into the league in 1970.
SeasonYearMen'sWomen'sBoys'Host school
151952–53 National University
161953–54 University of the Philippines
171954–55 University of Santo Tomas
181955–56 Far Eastern University
191956–57 National University
201957–58 University of the Philippines
211958–59 University of the East
221959–60 University of Santo Tomas
231960–61 Manila Central University
241961–62 Far Eastern University
251962–63 National University
261963–64 University of the Philippines
271964–65 University of the East
281965–66 University of Santo Tomas
291966–67 Far Eastern University
301967–68
National University
311968–69 University of the Philippines
321969–70 University of the East
331970–71 University of Santo Tomas
341971–72 Far Eastern University
351972–73 National University
361973–74 University of the Philippines
371974–75 Adamson University
381975–76 University of the East
391976–77 University of Santo Tomas
401977–78 Far Eastern University

Second expansion

Ateneo was accepted as a member in 1978.
SeasonYearMen'sWomen'sBoys'Host school
411978–79 National University
421979–80 University of the Philippines
431980–81 Ateneo de Manila University
441981–82 Adamson University
451982–83 University of the East
461983–84 University of the Philippines
471984–85 University of Santo Tomas
481985–86 Far Eastern University

Third expansion

La Salle was accepted as a member in 1986.
SeasonYearMen'sWomen'sBoys'Host school
491986–87 National University
501987–88 Ateneo de Manila University
511988–89 De La Salle University
521989–90 Adamson University
531990–91 University of the East
541991–92 University of the Philippines
551992–93 University of Santo Tomas

Final Four era

Introduction of the Final Four format.
SeasonYearMen'sWomen'sBoys'Host school
561993–94 Far Eastern University
571994–95 National University
581995–96 Ateneo de Manila University
591996–97 De La Salle University
601997–98 Adamson University
611998–99 University of the East
621999–00 University of the Philippines
632000–01 University of Santo Tomas
642001–02 Far Eastern University
652002–03 National University
662003–04 Ateneo de Manila University
672004–05 De La Salle University
682005–06 Adamson University
692006–07 University of the East
702007–08 University of Santo Tomas
712008–09 University of the Philippines
722009–10 Far Eastern University
732010–11 De La Salle University
742011–12 Ateneo de Manila University
752012–13 National University
762013–14 Adamson University
772014–15 University of the East
782015–16 University of the Philippines
792016–17 University of Santo Tomas
802017–18 Far Eastern University
812018–19 National University

Inclusivity era

In line with the league's commitment for inclusiveness, the tournament for girls' division was introduced.
SeasonYearMen'sWomen'sBoys'Girls'Host school
822019–20
Ateneo de Manila University

; Notes

Number of championships by school

; Notes

Statistics

TeamJuniors'Women'sMen's
Adamson University years, since 1993 years, since 2010 years, since 1977
Ateneo de Manila University years, since 2018 years, since 2007 years, since 2019
De La Salle University years, since 2007 years, since 2013 years, since 2016
Far Eastern University years, since 2016 years, since 2012 years, since 2015
National University years, since 2013 year, since 2014 year, since 2014
University of the East years, since 1981 years, since 1952 years, since 1985
University of the Philippines years, since 2002 years, since 1983 years, since 1986
University of Santo Tomas years, since 2001 years, since 2006 years, since 2006

DivisionTeamSeason
Girls'
Boys'Ateneo de Manila UniversitySeason 47,
Season 49,
Season 60,
Season 62,
Season 69,
Season 73,
Season 77,
Season 80
Boys'National UniversitySeason 76,
Season 78
Women'sNational UniversitySeason 77,
Season 78,
Season 79,
Season 80,
Season 81,
Season 82
Women'sFar Eastern UniversitySeason 75
Women'sDe La Salle UniversitySeason 65,
Season 64
Men'sAteneo de Manila UniversitySeason 82
Men'sFar Eastern UniversitySeason 43
Men'sUniversity of the EastSeason 49,
Season 70
Men'sUniversity of Santo TomasSeason 56

The first ever sweep in UAAP basketball history was recorded by the FEU Tamaraws in 1980.

Championship streaks

No.DivisionSchoolSeasons
7Seniors University of the East1965–66 to 1971–72
5Seniors Ateneo de Manila University2008–09 to 2012–13
4Seniors De La Salle University1998–99 to 2001–02
4Seniors University of Santo Tomas1993–94 to 1996–97
4Seniors University of Santo Tomas1946–47 to 1949–50
3Seniors Ateneo de Manila University2017–18 to 2019–20
3Seniors Far Eastern University2003–04 to 2005–06
3Seniors Far Eastern University1978–79 to 1980–81
3Seniors University of Santo Tomas1951–52 to 1953–54
2Seniors Far Eastern University1991–92 to 1992–93
2Seniors De La Salle University1989–90 to 1990–91
2Seniors Ateneo de Manila University1987–88 to 1988–89
2Seniors University of the East1984–85 to 1985–86
2Seniors University of the East1974–75 to 1975–76
2Seniors Far Eastern University1972–73 to 1973–74
2Seniors University of the East1957–58 to 1958–59
2Seniors University of Santo Tomas1939–40 to 1940–41
6Juniors Adamson University1988–89 to 1993–94
6Juniors Far Eastern University1948–49 to 1953–54
4Juniors Ateneo de Manila University1983–84 to 1986–87
3Juniors Ateneo de Manila University2008–09 to 2010–11
3Juniors Ateneo de Manila University1978–79 to 1980–81
2Juniors National University2018–19 to 2019–20
2Juniors Ateneo de Manila University2003–04 to 2004–05
2Juniors Ateneo de Manila University1999–00 to 2000–01
6Women's National University2014–15 to 2019–20
4Women's De La Salle University1999–00 to 2002–03
4Women's University of Santo Tomas1987–88 to 1990–91
4Women's University of the Philippines1980–81 to 1983–84
4Women's Far Eastern University1950–51 to 1953–54
3Women's Far Eastern University1996–97 to 1998–99
3Women's University of the Philippines1976–77 to 1978–79
2Women's Far Eastern University2011–12 to 2012–13
2Women's Adamson University2009–10 to 2010–11
2Women's Adamson University2003–04 to 2004–05
2Women's University of Santo Tomas1994–95 to 1995–96

Notes

Final Four records

UniversityNumber of
appearances		Last
appearance		Finals
appearances		Highest
seed		Postseason
record
Adamson192013121st25-16
Ateneo6201231st12-5
De La Salle15201361st15-18
FEU152011101st31-27
NU1201311st
UE
UP13200852nd11-16
UST11201321st11-16

^ Does not include 2 seasons where NU swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

Most Valuable Players

Finals MVP

Rookie of the Year

Prior to 2005, all players playing in their first year are eligible for the award. In 2005, the rule covering the seniors division was changed. Only fresh high school graduates are eligible.
SeasonMen'sWomen'sBoys'Girls'
1961 Valentino Rosabalrowspan=10 rowspan=12 rowspan=31
1964 Robert Jaworski---
1983 Eric Altamirano---
1989 Johnny Abarrientos---
1993 Mark Telan---
1994 Bobby Diloy---
1995 Gerard Francisco---
1996 Mark Victoria---
1997 Ren-Ren Ritualo---
1998 Enrico Villanueva---
1999 Leo Avenido Camille Dowling--
2000 Mike Cortez Erika Catlin Dy--
2001 Mark Cardona Kristine Chua Christian Manlapaz-
2002 Arwind Santos Carolyn Tan-Chi Japs Cuan-
2003 JV Casio Cassandra Noel Tioseco Leo Canuday-
2004 Marcy Arellano Angelica Barracoso David Urra-
2005 Jai Reyes Sihaya Sadorra Raffy Mangahas-
2006 Woody Co Katherine Sandel Jeff Olalia-
2007 JR Cawaling Cindy Resultay David Kurt de Guzman-
2008 Ryan Buenafe Angelica Ortega Luis Alfonso dela Paz-
2009 Jeric Teng Miller Joy Ong Kevin Ferrer-
2010 Terrence Romeo Aracelie Abaca Roque Estoce-
2011 Kiefer Ravena Gemma Miranda Tomas Ramos-
2012 Jeron Teng Princess Cochico Reggie Morido-
2013 Kyles Jefferson Lao Love Joy Sto. Domingo Aaron Reyes-
2014 Arvin Tolentino Ria Joy Nabalan-
2015 Joshua Andrei Caracut Jack Danielle Animam Carl Tamayo-
2016 Aljun Jay Melecio Kai Zachary Sotto-
2017 Juan Gomez de Liaño Mariann Justine Domingorowspan=2 -
2018 Angelo Kouame Reynalyn Ferrer--
2019 Mark Nonoy Kent Pastrana Jean Lorenz Canillas-

Facts and trivia