UAAP basketball championships

The UAAP basketball championships are basketball tournaments held from September to December by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and the men's tournament is the flagship tournament of the UAAP. Basketball is a mandatory sport for all schools. All eight universities participate in the men's, women's, and high school tournaments.

History

The tournament is divided into two divisions, the collegiate division, which is further subdivided into the men's and the women's tournament, and the high school, which is subdivided into boys' and girls' tournaments.
The UAAP basketball sport has a rich history of schools establishing dynasties. UE won a record seven consecutive basketball titles from 1965 to 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 to 1996 and La Salle from 1998 to 2001.
The championship in basketball, with its major overall points contribution to the annual UAAP general championship tallies, is one of the most coveted titles. The boys' tournament was called the "juniors' tournament" prior to 2019. The tournament was held concurrently with the seniors' tournaments in the first semester of the academic year, until 2014, when it was moved to the second semester.

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 in a split season format. 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 No. 1 seed holding a one-win advantage in a best-of-three series. 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 for 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 for 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 for 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

From 2008 to 2015, 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. The format was modified in 2016, where the unbeaten team proceeds to the best-of-3 finals without any playoff advantage, but the knockout games in all of the three semifinal seeds remain in place.

List of basketball champions

Early years

The foundation of the UAAP by FEU, NU, UP and UST in 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 association in 1970.

Season	Year	Men's	Women's	Juniors'
15	1952–53
16	1953–54
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 17 men's basketball tournament\|17 men's basketball tournament\|17]	1954–55
18	1955–56
19	1956–57
20	1957–58
21	1958–59
22	1959–60
23	1960–61
24	1961–62
25	1962–63
26	1963–64
27	1964–65
28	1965–66
29	1966–67
30	1967–68
31	1968–69
32	1969–70
33	1970–71
34	1971–72
35	1972–73
36	1973–74
37	1974–75
38	1975–76
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 39 men's basketball tournament\|39 men's basketball tournament\|39]	1976–77
40	1977–78

Second expansion

Ateneo was accepted as a member in 1978.

Season	Year	Men's	Women's	Juniors'
41	1978–79
42	1979–80
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 43 men's basketball tournament\|43 men's basketball tournament\|43]	1980–81
44	1981–82
45	1982–83
46	1983–84
47	1984–85
48	1985–86

Third expansion

La Salle was accepted as a member in 1986.

Season	Year	Men's	Women's	Juniors'
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 49 men's basketball tournament\|49 men's basketball tournament\|49]	1986–87
50	1987–88
51	1988–89
52	1989–90
53	1990–91
54	1991–92
55	1992–93

Final Four era

Introduction of the Final Four format.

Season	Year	Men's	Women's	Juniors'
56	1993–94
57	1994–95
58	1995–96
59	1996–97
60	1997–98
61	1998–99
62	1999–00
63	2000–01
64	2001–02
65	2002–03
66	2003–04
67	2004–05
68	2005–06
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 69 basketball tournaments\|69 basketball tournaments\|69]	2006–07
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 70 basketball tournaments\|70 basketball tournaments\|70]	2007–08
71	2008–09
72	2009–10
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 73 basketball tournaments\|73 basketball tournaments\|73]	2010–11
74	2011–12
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 75 basketball tournaments\|75 basketball tournaments\|75]	2012–13
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 76 basketball tournaments\|76 basketball tournaments\|76]	2013–14
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 77 basketball tournaments\|77 basketball tournaments\|77]	2014–15
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 78 basketball tournaments\|78 basketball tournaments\|78]	2015–16
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 79 basketball tournaments\|79 basketball tournaments\|79]	2016–17
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 80 basketball tournaments\|80 basketball tournaments\|80]	2017–18
[UAAP Season UAAP Season 81 basketball tournaments\|81 basketball tournaments\|81]	2018–19

Inclusivity era

In line with the association's commitment for inclusiveness, the tournament for girls' division was introduced in 2019, and a junior high school tournament was introduced in 2023. The tournament was renamed as the 16U boys' division in 2025, while the existing high school tournaments were renamed as 19U.
; Notes

Number of championships by school

Including championships won when a tournament was a demonstration sport for Girls' and 16U tournament.

University	Men's	Women's	Boys'	Girls'	16U	Total
	18	13	12	2	0	45
	20	11	9	0	0	40
	12	2	19	0	0	33
	18	0	2	0	1	21
	2	8	8	0	2	20
	11	5	2	0	0	18
	1	6	9	1	0	17
	4	7	1	0	0	12
University of Manila	0	0	0	0	0	0
Manila Central University	0	0	0	0	0	0

;Notes

Statistics

Longest finals appearancesLongest finals match-ups between two teamsLongest championship streaksLongest unshared championship streaksLongest championship droughts

Team	Juniors'	Women's	Men's
Adamson University	years, since 1993	years, since 2010	years, since 1977
Ateneo de Manila University	years, since 2018	years, since 2007	years, since 2022
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 2020	years, since 2014	years, 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 2021
University of Santo Tomas	years, since 2001	years, since 2006	years, since 2006

Elimination sweeps

Division	Team	Season
Girls'
Boys'	Ateneo de Manila University	Season 47, Season 49, Season 60, Season 62, Season 69, Season 73, Season 77, Season 80
Boys'	National University	Season 76, Season 78
Women's	De La Salle University	Season 65, Season 64
Women's	Far Eastern University	Season 75
Women's	National University	Season 77, Season 78, Season 79, Season 80, Season 81, Season 82
Women's	University of Santo Tomas	Season 88
Men's	Ateneo de Manila University	Season 82
Men's	Far Eastern University	Season 43
Men's	University of the East	Season 49, Season 70
Men's	University of Santo Tomas	Season 56

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

Championship streaks

No.	School	Seasons
7		1965–66 to 1971–72
6		1939, 1940, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949
5		2008–09 to 2012–13
4		1998–99 to 2001–02
4		1993–94 to 1996–97
4		1946–47 to 1949–50
3		2017–18 to 2019–20
3		2003–04 to 2005–06
3		1979–80 to 1981–82
3		1951–52 to 1953–54
2		1991–92 to 1992–93
2		1989–90 to 1990–91
2		1987–88 to 1988–89
2		1984–85 to 1985–86
2		1974–75 to 1975–76
2		1972–73 to 1973–74
2		1957–58 to 1958–59
2		1939–40 to 1940–41

No.	School	Seasons
6		1988–89 to 1993–94
6		1948–49 to 1953–54
4		1983–84 to 1986–87
3		2008–09 to 2010–11
3		1978–79 to 1980–81
2		2018–19 to 2019–20
2		2003–04 to 2004–05
2		1999–00 to 2000–01

No.	School	Seasons
7		2014–15 to 2022–23
6		1939–40 to 1949–50
4		1999–00 to 2002–03
4		1987–88 to 1990–91
4		1980–81 to 1983–84
4		1950–51 to 1953–54
3		1996–97 to 1998–99
3		1976–77 to 1978–79
2		2011–12 to 2012–13
2		2009–10 to 2010–11
2		2003–04 to 2004–05
2		1994–95 to 1995–96

Notes

Final Four records

University	Number of appearances	Last appearance	Finals appearances	Highest seed	Postseason record
Adamson	19	2013	12	1st	25-16
Ateneo	6	2012	3	1st	12-5
De La Salle	15	2013	6	1st	15-18
FEU	15	2011	10	1st	31-27
NU	1	2013	1	1st
UE
UP	13	2008	5	2nd	11-16
UST	11	2013	2	1st	11-16

Does not include 6 seasons where Ateneo swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

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

Awards

Rookie of the Year

Prior to 2005, all players playing in their first year are eligible for the award.
In Season 68, the rule covering the collegiate division was changed. Only fresh high school graduates are eligible. The exception was in UAAP Season 85 when those enrolled in 2021, along with those enrolled in 2022 or fresh high school graduates, are eligible for the award at the collegiate level. Similarly, in the same season, adjustments were also implemented in the high school division where only those aged 17 and below will be eligible for the same award.

Facts and trivia

Last championship
Men's Division:
*De La Salle Green Archers: 2025
*Ateneo Blue Eagles: 2022
*UP Fighting Maroons: 2024
*FEU Tamaraws: 2015
*NU Bulldogs: 2014
*UST Growling Tigers: 2006
*UE Red Warriors: 1985
*Adamson Falcons: 1977
Juniors' Division:
*Adamson Baby Falcons: 2024
*FEU Baby Tamaraws: 2022
*NU Bullpups: 2020
*Ateneo Blue Eaglets: 2018
*La Salle Junior Archers: 2007
*UPIS Junior Maroons: 2002
*UST Tiger Cubs: 2001
*UE Junior Red Warriors: 1981
Women's Division:
*UST Tigresses: 2023
*NU Lady Bulldogs: 2024
*La Salle Lady Archers: 2013
*FEU Lady Tamaraws: 2012
*Adamson Lady Falcons: 2010
*Ateneo Lady Eagles: 2007
*UP Lady Maroons: 1983
*UE Lady Warriors: –
Last finals appearance:
Men's Division:
*La Salle Green Archers: 2025
*UP Fighting Maroons: 2025
*Ateneo Blue Eagles: 2022
*UST Growling Tigers: 2019
*FEU Tamaraws: 2015
*NU Bulldogs: 2014
*UE Red Warriors: 2009
*Adamson Falcons: 1993
*MCU Tigers: 1958
Juniors' Division:
*Adamson Baby Falcons: 2024
*NU Bullpups: 2024
*Ateneo Blue Eaglets: 2019
*La Salle Junior Archers: 2015
*FEU Baby Tamaraws: 2012
*UST Tiger Cubs: 2010
*UPIS Junior Maroons: 2005
*UE Red Pages: 1986
Women's Division:
*NU Lady Bulldogs: 2023
*UST Tigresses: 2023
*La Salle Lady Archers: 2022
*FEU Lady Tamaraws: 2018
*UE Lady Warriors: 2017
*Ateneo Lady Eagles: 2015
*Adamson Lady Falcons: 2011
*UP Lady Maroons: 2008
Championship streaks:
*The UE Red Warriors owns the longest championship run in UAAP seniors' basketball, with seven straight championships, from 1965 to 1971.
*The University of Santo Tomas won the juniors', women's and men's championship in the 1994–95 season, the only instance where the three championships were won by a school in one school year.
*De La Salle University won both the men's and women's basketball championships in the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2013 seasons, making them the first school to win three consecutive double championships in the seniors' division tournament.
*The Ateneo de Manila University won the juniors' and men's championships in 2008 and 2009, making them the first school to score a back-to-back double championships in men's and juniors divisions. The following year 2010, Ateneo won the titles in both divisions again, making them the first school to win a three-peat double championship.
*The NU Lady Bulldogs owns the longest championship run in UAAP women's basketball, with seven straight championships from Seasons 77 to 85. They also hold the record for the longest winning streak by any team in any sport in the UAAP, at 108 games, and the first team in the league's history to win at least 100 consecutive games.
*The Ateneo de Manila University won the men's championships in seasons 80, 81 and 82, making them the first school in UAAP history to win a 3-peat championship multiple times in the Final Four era. They are also the first men's basketball team to win all of their games in one season in the Final Four era, and has the longest winning streak in UAAP men's basketball history, at 39 games.
*The UP vs. La Salle Game 3 in 2024 holds the record for the largest in-venue attendance in any UAAP basketball match, and the second largest overall in-venue attendance in any sporting event in the UAAP, with 25,248 spectators at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Championships by coach

Listed below are the coaches who won at least one UAAP men's championship. The list is incomplete.

Active

Denotes coach who is still active in the UAAP