History of UAAP basketball championships in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 16, 2026

The UAAP basketball championships, held annually from September to December, are organized by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. The men's tournament is the association's flagship event. Basketball is a mandatory sport, with all eight member universities participating in the men's, women's, and high school boys' tournaments.

1938: UAAP foundation

In 1938, FEU, NU, UP and UST founded the UAAP.

1952: Four new members admitted on probation

In 1952, Adamson University, Manila Central University, University of Manila and University of the East were admitted into the UAAP on a two-year probationary membership status.

1962: MCU pulls out of UAAP

In 1962, Manila Central University (MCU) pulled out of the UAAP.

1965: UE wins first of seven consecutive titles

In 1965, the University of the East (UE) began a record-setting streak, winning the first of seven consecutive UAAP basketball championships.

1970: Adamson readmitted into the UAAP

In 1970, Adamson was readmitted into the UAAP.

1971: UE completes seven consecutive titles

In 1971, the University of the East (UE) completed a record-setting streak of seven consecutive UAAP basketball championships, although the third title was shared with UST.

1978: Ateneo accepted as a member

In 1978, Ateneo was accepted as a member of the UAAP.

1980: FEU Tamaraws record first sweep

In 1980, the FEU Tamaraws recorded the first-ever sweep in UAAP basketball history.

1986: La Salle accepted as a member

In 1986, La Salle was accepted as a member of the UAAP.

1993: UST wins first of four consecutive titles

In 1993, UST won the first of four consecutive UAAP basketball championships.

1993: Sweeping rule modified

In 1993, after UST's sweep, the rule was modified so that the sweeping team would automatically qualify for the best-of-three Finals.

1993: Final Four format implemented

In 1993, the Final Four format was first implemented in the UAAP basketball tournament, beginning with a double round-robin elimination to determine the four teams that qualify for the semi-finals.

1996: UST completes four consecutive titles

In 1996, UST completed a four-year winning streak in the UAAP basketball championships.

1997: Ateneo sweeps elimination round and advances to the Finals

In 1997, Ateneo swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

1998: La Salle wins first of four consecutive titles

In 1998, La Salle won the first of four consecutive UAAP basketball championships.

1999: Ateneo sweeps elimination round and advances to the Finals

In 1999, Ateneo swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

2000: Ateneo sweeps elimination round and advances to the Finals

In 2000, Ateneo swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

2001: La Salle completes four consecutive titles

In 2001, La Salle completed a four-year winning streak in the UAAP basketball championships.

2005: Eligibility rules for players changed

Prior to 2005, all players playing in their first year (including transfers and those elevated from "team B") are eligible for the award.

2006: Ateneo sweeps elimination round and advances to the Finals

In 2006, Ateneo swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

2007: Sweeping rule modified again

In 2007, after UE swept their way to the Finals, the rule was again modified so that the sweeping team would now automatically qualify for a best-of-five Finals, holding a 1–0 game advantage.

2008: Step ladder format implemented for unbeaten teams

From 2008, 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.

2008: Ateneo starts 5-year winning streak

In 2008, Ateneo started a five-year winning streak in the UAAP basketball championships.

2010: Ateneo sweeps elimination round and advances to the Finals

In 2010, Ateneo swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

2012: Ateneo completes 5-year winning streak

In 2012, Ateneo completed a five-year winning streak in the UAAP basketball championships.

2013: NU sweeps elimination round and advances to the Finals

In 2013, NU swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

2014: Ateneo sweeps elimination round and advances to the Finals

In 2014, Ateneo swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

2014: Boys' tournament moves to second semester

In 2014, the boys' UAAP basketball tournament was moved to the second semester (November to March).

2015: NU sweeps elimination round and advances to the Finals

In 2015, NU swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

2015: Step ladder format used for last time

In 2015, the step ladder format was used for the last time, where the unbeaten team had a bye up to the best-of-5 finals holding a 1–0 game advantage.

2016: Step ladder format modified

In 2016, the step ladder format was modified, 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.

2017: Ateneo sweeps elimination round and advances to the Finals

In 2017, Ateneo swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.

2019: Girls' division tournament introduced

In 2019, the UAAP introduced a tournament for the girls' division, in line with the association's commitment to inclusiveness.

2019: Boys' tournament renamed and moved to second semester

In 2019, the boys' UAAP basketball tournament, previously called the "juniors' tournament", was held concurrently with the seniors' tournaments until 2014, but was moved to the second semester (November to March).

2021: Season 85 Eligibility rules changed

In UAAP Season 85 in 2021, those enrolled in 2021, along with those enrolled in 2022 or fresh high school graduates, are eligible for the award at the collegiate level.

2022: Season 85 Eligibility rules changed

In UAAP Season 85 in 2022, those enrolled in 2021, along with those enrolled in 2022 or fresh high school graduates, are eligible for the award at the collegiate level.