NCAA basketball championships (Philippines) explained

Pixels:164px
Sport:Basketball
Founded:1924
Teams:10
Champion:Mapúa Cardinals (Seniors)
Letran Squires (Juniors)
Most Champs:San Beda (46, overall)
San Beda Red Lions (23, seniors')
San Beda Red Cubs (23, juniors')
Tv:GMA Network

The NCAA basketball championships are the basketball championships of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) (NCAA). There are two tournaments, usually held at the same time, the seniors' tournament for male collegiate students, and the juniors' tournament for male senior high school students. If a school wins both championships in one season, it said that they have won the "double championship."

The tournament commences with a double-round robin of eliminations, where the four teams with the best records advance to the semifinals, with the two top seeds clinching the twice-to-beat advantage. The winners in the semifinals meet in a best-of-3 finals series, in order to determine the champion.

The championship is continually contested since the NCAA's foundation in 1924, except during World War II, during the mid-1960s when scandals rocked the association, in 1980 when the tournament was aborted by the Basketball Association of the Philippines, and from 2020 to 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to NCAA Season 98 (2022), the juniors' tournament was held concurrently with the men's tournament, in the first semester or from June to November. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, NCAA Season 97 meant to be played in 2021 was postponed to early 2022, and the juniors' tournament was cancelled. The men's tournament of NCAA Season 98 was then played from September to December, then the juniors' tournament from January to March. The NCAA then kept this schedule for all succeeding seasons.

The athletic nicknames of the different teams variously came from the school's founders, or from a distinct quality that separated a school from the others.

Tournament formats

Historical formats

Two round format

In its early years, the NCAA had all of its teams play each other teams once, then the top 4 teams play in the championship round, where the top ranked team is named the champion.

Split season format

Prior to 1997, when the NCAA had, for most part of its history, six teams, it employed a split season format. The winner of the first round (the team with the highest standing) would notch the first Final berth, while the winner of the second round would notch the second Final berth.

If a team manages to have the best overall record, yet fails to win either round, that team will play the winner of the second round in a playoff game, to face the winner of the first round in the Championship game. The games of the Championship round are all single-elimination matches, until the 1980s when the Championship game was expanded to a best-of-three series.

If a team manages to win both rounds (not necessarily a sweep), the Championship round will be omitted, and that team will be declared outright champions.

In cases of tie, a playoff game will be played to determine which team won the round. If more than two teams are tied, each team will play the teams they are tied with once. If for example, a team won the first round, and is tied with another team for first place at the second round, a playoff game will be played to determine which team wins the round. If the team that won the first round wins in the playoff game, the Championship round will be omitted, since the team won both rounds. If the other team wins, a Championship round will held, since two different teams won the two rounds.

Play-in tournament

The 2021 tournament, held in early 2022, was in a special format used only for that season. There was only one round of eliminations, and a play-in tournament was held for teams that finished third to sixth; after that, the regular Final Four format was used.[1]

Final Four format

Since 1997, all member schools have fielded their varsity teams in a double round elimination tournament, where the schools play each other twice. The four teams with the best records advance to the crossover semifinals, popularly known as the Final Four.

The two top teams have a twice to beat advantage. The lower ranked teams need to win twice against the higher ranked teams to advance to the best-of-three finals, where the first team to reach two wins becomes the NCAA basketball champion.

In cases of tie, the NCAA has had one game playoffs on some seasons, while none on others.

Elimination round sweep

If any event a team finishes the elimination round undefeated, that team will advance outright to the finals. The third and fourth seeds will have a sudden-death game to determine the opponent of the second seed. Then, the winner of the sudden-death match between the second seed and third/fourth seed advances to the finals to face the first seed.

Previously, the first seed holds a twice to beat advantage in the finals (the finals would not be a best of three affair), until 2008, the finals was in a best-of-three series even if a team swept the elimination round.

Since 2010 the team who sweeps the elimination round will automatically go to the finals with a thrice-to-beat advantage and a 1-0 edge over their opponent, their opponent needs to beat them thrice while the team who sweeps the 2-round elimination will just have to beat their opponents twice.

History

Some of the Letran team players were products of their Varsity High School Team namely: Ted McKinney, Ramon San Juan, William Alberto and were also part of the 1976 National Inter-Secondary Champion Team that was held in Baguio City wherein they beat their NCAA rival San Beda College with the score of 52-51.

It was a double victory for the Muralla-based cagers as they dominated in winning the Jrs and Srs NCAA Basketball Championship that year. They were also declared the General Champion by the NCAA Management for winning most of the events that the NCAA has provided. It was very sweet for the Knights for getting that award as it was their first time dominating all events.

NCAA basketball champions

See main article: List of NCAA Philippines basketball champions. Basketball, as the most popular sport in the Philippines, receives the most attention from the press and the sports-minded public. As a result, the NCAA Seniors Basketball championship is the most coveted title among the NCAA events.

San Beda has the most Seniors basketball title a record 22 times, followed by Colegio de San Juan de Letran with 20 and the Ateneo de Manila (now with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines) is third with 14.

There is a separate division for high school student-athletes, the Juniors division. San Beda High School has the most titles with 23 while the Malayan High School of Science (formerly Mapúa High School) won 22.

San Beda University leads the overall tally with 45 basketball titles, followed by Letran with 33. Among defunct members, Ateneo has the most championships, with 23.

The current champions are the Mapúa Cardinals (seniors), and the Letran Squires (juniors).

Double Championships

When a school wins both the Juniors (or Midgets pre-1925) and Seniors tournament at the same season, the school is said to have won the double championship.

As of 2023, only seven schools were able to win the double championship:

Ateneo de Manila University, San Beda College and San Sebastian College-Recoletos have the most double championships with six apiece. San Beda College also has the most consecutive double championships with five.

Awards

Players of all nationalities were eligible for all awards, until NCAA Season 95 (2019), where a separate category was made for foreigners. From NCAA Season 96 (2020) onwards, rosters were restricted to Filipinos.

Most Valuable Player

Men's tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
1936
1940 Arturo Rius
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1959
1961 Amado Martelino
1966 Jimmy Alabanza
1967 Rhoel Deles
1969Sixto Agbay
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975 Alex Marquez
1976 Steve Watson
1977 Bernardo Carpio
1978 Alex Marquez
1979 Ramon San Juan
1981
1982 Jerry Gonzales
1983 Romeo Ang
1984
1985
1986
1987 Eugene Quilban
1988
1989 Eric Clement Quiday
1990 Estelito Epondulan
1991 Antonio Valeriano
1992 Ronald Peña
1993 Jesse Bardaje
1994
1995 Ruben dela Rosa
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000Jojo Manalo
2001Ernani Epondulan
2002
2003
2004
2005Jay Sagad
2006Sam Ekwe
2007
2008Sam Ekwe
2009
2010Sudan Daniel
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015Allwell Oraeme
2016Allwell Oraeme
2017
2018Prince Eze
2019
2020No tournament
2021Rhenz Abando
2022Will Gozum
2023Clint Escamis
2024Allen Liwag

Juniors' tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
1991 Tyrone Bautista
1992 Mark Telan
1993 Dondon Valerio
1994 Gherome Ejercito
1995 Marvin Ortiguerra
1996
Jenkins Mesina
1997 Edsel Feliciano
1998 Derrick Hubalde
1999 Arjun Cordero
2000Ronjay Enrile
2001Jay-R Reyes
2002Oliver Cua
2003Jay-R Taganas
2004Rogemar Menor
2005Allan Mangahas
2006Jake Pascual
2007Ryan Buenafe
2008Keith Agovida
2009Louie Vigil
2010Baser Amer
2011Rey Nambatac
2012Bong Quinto
2013Prince Rivero
2014Darius Estrella
2015Michael Enriquez
2016Troy Mallillin
2017Will Gozum
2018JD Cagulangan
2019John Barba
2020No tournament
2021
2023Luis Pablo
2024Amiel Acido

Finals Most Valuable Player

Was originally named "Most Outstanding Player" in the 1990s.

Men's tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
1992 Gilbert Castillo
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004Robert Sanz
2005
2006
2007
2008Sam Ekwe
2009
2010Sudan Daniel
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016Arnaud Noah
2017Donald Tankoua
2018
2019Fran Yu
2020No tournament
2021Jeo Ambohot
2022King Caralipio
2023James Payosing
2024

Juniors' tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
2001Chuck Ronquillo
2002JVee Casio
2003Rogemar Menor
2004Rogemar Menor
2005Eric Salamat
2006Ryan Buenafe
2007Ryan Buenafe
2008Arvie Bringas
2009Baser Amer
2010Baser Amer
2011Francis Abarcar
2012
2013Arvin Tolentino
2014Joshua Caracut
2015Evan Nelle
2016Bryan Samudio
2017JD Cagulangan
2018Paolo Hernandez
2019Rhayyan Amsali
2020No tournament
2021
2023Andy Gemao
2024Moses Manalili
2025

Rookie of the Year

Men's tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
1994
1995 Jerome Barbosa
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000Al Magpayo
2001Ismael Junio
2002Julian Bermejo
2003Ronnie Bughao
2004
2005
2006Sam Ekwe
2007
2008Allan Mangahas
2009Sudan Daniel
2010
2011
2012Cedric Noube Happi
2013
2014Dioncee Holts
2015Alwell Oraeme
2016Mike Harry Nzeusseu
2017Jaycee Marcelino
2018Larry Muyang
2019
2020No tournament
2021Rhenz Abando
2022Cade Flores
2023
2024Chris Hubilla

Juniors' tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
2001Jay-R Reyes
2002PJ Walsham
2003Jay-R Taganas
2004Marko Batricevic
2005Darell Green
2006Jake Pascual
2007Keith Agovida
2008Jarelan Tampus
2009Baser Amer
2010Rey Nambatac
2011Lugie Cuyas
2012
2013Jeric Adorio
2014Raphael Chavez
2015Lars Sunga
2016Aaron Fermin
2017Inand Fornilos
2018Jonnel Policarpio
2019Jolo Manansala
2020No tournament
2021
2023Matthew Rubico
2024Mark Gojo Cruz
2025

Freshman of the Year

This award has only been awarded in the men's tournament.

Season NameNationalityTeam
2023Jay Garupil
2024Chris Hubilla

Defensive Player of the Year

Men's tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
2005
2006Samuel Ekwe
2007
2008
2009Sudan Daniel
2010Sudan Daniel
2011
2012
2013
2014Joseph Gabayni
2015Allwell Oraeme
2016Allwell Oraeme
2017Prince Eze
2018Prince Eze
2019
2020No tournament
2021
2022Cade Flores
2023Rommel Calahat
2024Allen Liwag

Juniors' tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
2005Darrel Green
2006Jake Pascual
2007Keith Agovida
2008Keith Agovida
2009Louie Vigil
2010Vincent Menguito
2011Sidney Onwubere
2012Enjerico Diego
2013Paolo Rivero
2014John Winifred Gob
2015John Umali
2016Aaron Fermin
2017Aaron Fermin
2018Aaron Fermin
2019Jonnel Policarpio
2020No tournament
2021
2023George Diamante
Paul Enal
2024Paul Enal
2025

Most Improved Player

Men's tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010Joe Etame
2011
2012
2013Michael Mabulac
2014
2015
2016Donald Tankoua
2017Jed Mendoza
2018Archie Concepcion
2019Fran Yu
2020No tournament
2021Paolo Hernandez
2022Shawn Umali
2023Jun Roque
2024Lorenz Capulong

Juniors' tournament

Season NameNationalityTeam
2005Paolo Guidaben
2006Michael Dizon
2007Christian dela Paz
2008
2009Chris Javier
2010Flash Sadiwa
2011Francis Abarcar
2012Justin Serrano
2013Kobe Paras
2014John Winifred Gob
2015Maui Cruz
2016Joshua Tagala
2017Clint Escamis
Neil Villapando
2018John Amores
2019Yukien Andrada
2020No tournament
2021
2023Seven Gagate
2024EJ Castillo

Best Foreign Player

This award has only been awarded in the men's tournament.

Best Defensive Foreign Player

This award has only been awarded in the men's tournament.

Notes

Scoring records

Lim Eng Beng of the De La Salle Green Archers currently holds the most points scored in an NCAA seniors' game when he scored 55 points in the 1974 season as he led De La Salle Green Archers to the championship. He scored an average of 32 points in that season which remains the all-time record in average points per game in Philippine Men's NCAA.[7]

In 2009, Joshua Saret of the JRU Light Bombers scored 89 points against the AUF Baby Danes to shatter the all-time high mark set by ex-teammate Keith Agovida at 82 points on September 5, 2008, against the Malayan Red Robins.[8]

Prior to their record-breaking feats, Marlon Bola Bola of the Letran Squires held the single-game record of 71 points in 1970.[9]

Seniors' scoring leaders (since 2002)

Season Name Team Avg.
200220.3
2003Ronald Capati 19.1
2004Noy Javier 20.7
2005Redentor Vicente
Leo Najorda (tie)

17.5
2006Khiel Misa 16.6
200717.1
200814.7
2009Argel Mendoza 20.9
201017.3
201120.6
201220.1
201323.3
201426.5
201519.7
201621.4
201725.8
201818.7
2019Allyn Bulanadi20.3
2020No tournament
2021JM Calma16.9
2022Will Gozum17.2
2023Clint Escamis16.3
2024Paeng Are17.9
Notes:

a. 2021-22 season was played in early 2022.

Origin of team monikers

Memberships

TV coverage

Notes

  1. Web site: Li . Matthew . March 7, 2022 . Pujante tapped as UAAP 84 commissioner, Cristobal for NCAA 97 . March 8, 2022 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  2. http://www.inq7.net/spo/2003/oct/17/spo_25-1.htm/ NCAA Through Time (currently unavailable)
  3. History of the Ateneo de Manila University. 2005, 2006, 2007 Executive Planners. Published by the Ateneo de Manila University.
  4. Web site: See also . October 26, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070313181939/http://www.ncaa.org.ph/aboutncaa2.php . March 13, 2007 . dead .
  5. http://greenarcher.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13510 Blast from the Past
  6. NCAA Champions 1924 - 1976. Sports World. October 1–7, 1977. V. 36. 7. Sports World, Inc.. Quezon City.
  7. http://www.mindspring.com/~luckyshow/basketball/100pts.htm 100 point scorers
  8. Web site: Legaspi. Perry. July 22, 2009. Bombs away: JRU's Saret fires 89 points in NCAA jrs. April 9, 2021. GMA News Online.
  9. Web site: September 5, 2008. NCAA player scores 82, sets new RP basketball scoring record. April 9, 2021. ABS-CBN News.
  10. Web site: June 2005. The association of Extraordinary Players. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080616013604/http://thelance.letran.edu/jun2005/f1_jun2005.htm. June 16, 2008. April 9, 2021. The LANCE. Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

See also