NCAA basketball championships (Philippines)

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."

NCAA basketball championships (Philippines)
SportBasketball
Founded1924
No. of teams10
Country Philippines
Most recent
champion(s)
Mapúa Cardinals (Seniors)
Letran Squires (Juniors)
Most titlesSan Beda (46, overall)
San Beda Red Lions (23, seniors')
San Beda Red Cubs (23, juniors')
TV partner(s)GMA Network

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

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Historical formats

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Two round format

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  • 1924: The NCAA began its first season. In basketball, the Ateneo de Manila won the Midgets title, De La Salle College won the Juniors title, and the University of the Philippines won the seniors title.
  • 1927: San Beda won their first Seniors title in the NCAA's fourth season.
  • 1928: Letran joined the NCAA. On the same year the Squires won their first juniors championship and then went on winning two more, thus establishing NCAA's first three consecutive juniors championships.
  • 1936: UP and UST withdrew permanently from the NCAA. FEU also withdrew.
  • 1939: A pair of Ateneo-De La Salle Final games were held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The juniors De La Salle team defeated the Ateneo juniors team, while later on the day the De La Salle seniors team defeated the Ateneo seniors team. The De La Salle seniors team captured their first NCAA Basketball title.
  • 1941: Ateneo de Manila and Jose Rizal College won the last basketball championships before the start of World War II.
  • 1947: The Championship Game went into the last shot, which led to De La Salle winning the first basketball championship after the Pacific War, against Mapua.
  • 1950: At the final game of the elimination round, the Letran Knights were assured of a title, for they've won the two rounds, but the San Beda Red Lions beat them on the final non-bearing game, depriving them of a season sweep.
  • 1955: San Beda won the three-legged Crispulo Zamora Cup defeating Ateneo de Manila.
  • 1962: At the Final game, a riot ensued when Mapua supporters alleged that a referee favored the Ateneo team. The Eagles won the game, and the championship.
  • 1967: De La Salle chose the up-and-coming La Salle Green Hills as their new Juniors' counterpart after the original De La Salle High School was phased out.
  • 1972: The JRC Heavy Bombers won their last (as of 2023) NCAA title, with all of the team's starting five being drafted to the newly formed Philippine Basketball Association three years later.
  • 1973: The SSC-R Golden Stags, led by David Supnet, won their first ever NCAA Seniors Basketball crown.
  • 1974: First round pennant winners De La Salle defeated second round pennant winners Ateneo 90-80 to win the NCAA championship. Lim Eng Beng, who held the all-time points per game average (32 ppg) breaks NCAA record of most points scored in a game (55 pts).
  • 1977: In the 1977 finals series, Ateneo de Manila and San Beda had their melee at the Araneta Coliseum. This led to a closed-door match, wherein Ateneo de Manila's Pons Valdez's last shot was disallowed as time expired,[2] giving San Beda the victory.
  • 1978: Association-wide violence led to the withdrawal of Ateneo de Manila from the NCAA. At the time Ateneo de Manila left, it had the most titles in men's basketball, a record that would only be tied and surpassed in 2003.[3][4] San Beda withdrew in 1982 but came back in 1986.
  • 1979: Letran was declared as the winner by beating Mapua Cardinals with the score of 63-62 in the second round of the tournament and the fact that they were also the champion in the first round tournament. The team was so strong that no one was able to match their firepower as the team was so strong in all the departments and it took the Knights four years in the making before becoming the champion of the association. The team's lineup was headed by Ramon San Juan (G-F), Ted McKinney (C), Itoy Esguerra (F), Bong Aninon (F), Nonie Robles (G-F), Tim Coloso (G) Eddie Baldomero (G), Bobby Valenzuela (C), Tony DeLeon (C), Mon Navales (G), William Alberto (G) and Boyet Olano (G). Ramon San Juan was voted Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

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.

  • 1980: De La Salle fans and Letran supporters engaged themselves in a brawl during the second round of eliminations in the 1980 season. The Rizal Memorial Coliseum was wrecked apart as the two sides ripped apart the chairs bolted to the ground and threw them as weapons. The Basketball Association of the Philippines aborted the 1980 season and suspended Letran from all events. In 1981, the association readmitted Letran, which led to De La Salle withdrawing from the NCAA.[5] De La Salle went to the UAAP, but was denied membership on their first try (with a vote of 5-2, with Ateneo de Manila and UST voting against). De La Salle was finally admitted to the UAAP in 1986 but was required to drop LSGH as their Juniors' counterpart. De La Salle chose De La Salle-Zobel as their new high school team.
  • 1982: Avelino Lim led the Knights to two pennants, scrapping the championship round, with their only loss coming from the San Sebastian Golden Stags. This would be the start of a three-year championship streak of Letran.
  • 1985: The SSC-R Golden Stags won their second NCAA Seniors Basketball crown and their first in twelve years. They also ended Letran's championship streak at 3. Alvin Patrimonio of the Mapua Cardinals won the season MVP plum.
  • 1988: The SSC-R Golden Stags became the first team in NCAA history to sweep the Seniors Basketball tournament. They won the first and second round pennants and ended up as eventual champions with a 10-0 record. 1987 NCAA MVP Eugene Quilban won his back-to-back MVP award. Paul Alvarez played in his last NCAA season and ended up as a champion.
  • 1989: Only in their fifth year in the association, the Perpetual Help Altas, led by season MVP Eric Clement Quiday and Rene "Bong" Hawkins barged into the NCAA finals. However, they were beaten by the defending champions, the SSC-R Golden Stags, in the three-game series. The Stags' Eugene Quilban, who played in his last season, was named as the best player of the series-clinching game.
  • 1991: Benito Cheng of Mapua scored on the last second of the deciding Game 3 to deny San Beda the championship at the ULTRA. The Cardinals snapped their "once in sixteen years" championship curse as the Red Lions extended their title drought to 13 years. MVP Antonio Valeriano of the Lions was a non-factor in the championship round.
  • 1993: Season MVP Jesse Bardaje and rookie Ulysses Tanigue led the SSC-R Golden Stags to the first of five straight NCAA Seniors Basketball crowns. Led by Tanigue's 27 points, the Stags clinched the championship during their ninth game of the season via a 110-76 rout over the Letran Knights for an 8-1 record. With the win, the team copped the second round pennant and the automatic championship for the season. The newly crowned champion Stags finished with an overall record of 8-2 after losing their non-bearing last game to the Mapua Cardinals. Coach Arturo "Turo" Valenzona won his first championship in the NCAA.
  • 1994: The SSC-R Golden Stags achieved the second clean sweep in NCAA Seniors' Basketball history and automatically won the championship. The team finished with a 10-0 record. Stags John Rodney Santos and Romel Adducul received the season MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, respectively.
  • 1995: The SSC-R Golden Stags made their first ever three-peat championship and became the fifth team to do so in NCAA Seniors Basketball history. The Stags raced to a 9-0 start for a 19-game winning streak dating back to the previous season before losing their last regular season game against the MVP Ruben Dela Rosa led-Mapua Cardinals, the second round pennant winner they eventually swept in the best-of-three finals to end up with an 11-1 card.
  • 1996: The SSC-R Golden Stags became the first team in NCAA history to win four straight Seniors Basketball crowns. They swept the second round pennant winner SBC Red Lions in the best-of-three finals to end up with an overall record of 12-2. Romel Adducul was named as the NCAA MVP. SSC-R also celebrated its 50th (Golden) anniversary as an academic institution.
  • 1997: San Sebastian College-Recoletos, which was led by the Sensational Six in back-to-back MVP Romel Adducul, Aramis Calpito, Jasper Ocampo, Ulysses Tanigue, Brixter Encarnacion, and team captain Rommel Daep, made a 12-0 seniors regular season sweep. All six players won their fourth championship individually, with Adducul, Calpito, and Ocampo winning four straight dating back to 1994. The Golden Stags faced San Beda in the finals with a twice-to-beat advantage and prevailed, 84-72, after leading by just four at halftime. They capped off a five-year run as NCAA champions by way of another clean sweep, the third in NCAA Seniors Basketball history, with an overall record of 13-0. The Stags also averaged 89.5 points per game during the season while limiting their opponents to 69.16 points per contest. Reserves Jerome Barbosa, Michael "Topex" Robinson, Alvin Pua, and rookie Mark Macapagal were also part of the legendary 1997 San Sebastian team, arguably the best and most dominating team in NCAA history. Rookie coach Arturo "Bay" Cristobal piloted the team. The Stags' Sensational Six left after the 1997 season, leaving behind a young squad which will be eventually led in 1998 by Barbosa, Robinson, Macapagal, Pua, and rookies Homer Se and Christian Coronel, the 1998 Rookie of the Year.
  • 1998: De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is admitted to the NCAA while La Salle Green Hills returns to the association after a 17-year absence. The Letran Knights, led by rookie coach Luis Francisco "Louie" Alas, NCAA "oldie" Christian Calaguio (1998 NCAA MVP) and promising sophomore Kerby Raymundo (1997 Rookie of the Year), capitalized on the departure of the Sensational Six and won the NCAA Seniors Basketball crown.
  • 1999: The Letran Knights became the first fourth-seeded team to upset the top seed in the NCAA Final Four when they defeated the SSC-R Golden Stags twice. That feat was soon duplicated by the Golden Stags the following season when they beat the JRC Heavy Bombers twice to enter the 2000 NCAA finals. The Knights also won the 1999 NCAA Seniors Basketball crown against the Heavy Bombers in a fight-marred championship series. That was their 14th NCAA Seniors Basketball title and it tied them with the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles for the most NCAA Seniors Basketball crowns. They were led by 1999 NCAA MVP Kerby Raymundo, Allan Salangsang, John Paul Prior, William "Billy" Moody, Orlann Tama, and rookie coach Vincent "Binky" Favis.
  • 2000: College of Saint of Benilde won their first NCAA seniors title despite joining the association only two seasons ago. This marks the fastest win for any new school in the association since the World War. In the Juniors finals, the Letran Squires qualified outright for the finals with a 14-0 record. However, they were beaten twice by the Mapua Red Robins in the finals. This was the last Juniors championship of the Mapua Institute of Technology prior to phasing out the old Mapua High School.
  • 2003: The Letran Knights became the most-titled team in NCAA seniors basketball history after clinching their 15th crown. They defeated the defending champions SSC-R Golden Stags in the finals. Ronjay Enrile was named as the 2003 NCAA Finals MVP.
  • 2004: The NCAA Seniors finals featured two schools that have never won a championship before, Philippine Christian University and the newly renamed University of Perpetual Help Dalta System. The PCU Dolphins won the series in two games, with Gabriel Espinas becoming the first-ever Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year within the same season.
  • 2006: San Beda finally broke their 28-year championship drought as they edged out three-time finalist PCU Dolphins in the final game that went down to the wire. Rookie MVP Samuel Ekwe and Finals MVP Yousif Aljamal led the Red Lions, which became the 3rd most-titled team in NCAA Seniors Basketball history with 12 crowns.
  • 2009: The SSC-R Golden Stags broke San Beda's three-year championship run with a 2–0 sweep in their finals series. The Stags won their first 15 games, an association seniors' basketball record, and ended their 7-year title drought. They also won a total of 19 games, an all-time season record in the association. San Sebastian's last finals appearance was in 2003, losing to Letran in 3 games.
  • 2010: San Beda made a 16-0 sweep in the elimination round. They also swept the finals which makes their record a historic 18-0.
  • 2011: San Sebastian stopped San Beda's 26-game winning streak since 2010 by beating them on their 1st round meeting but San Beda got their revenge on the 2nd round over San Sebastian and forced a playoff for number 1 seed which San Beda won. For the sixth year in a row San Beda ended the elimination round as the number one team and went on to the finals. San Beda then went on to win their 2nd championship in a row by sweeping San Sebastian in the finals once again.
  • 2012: San Beda became the most-titled team in the association, with 17 championships, by beating Letran in the finals. This was their sixth championship in seven years and their seventh consecutive finals appearance.
  • 2013: San Beda became the school with the most double championships with 5 after the Red Cubs and the Red Lions won the championship in both the juniors and seniors divisions against their respective opponents. Since the Red Cubs and the Red Lions had been the reigning juniors and seniors champions since 2010, San Beda thus became the first school to achieve a 4th-straight double championship.
  • 2014: San Beda Red Lions won their 19th seniors basketball championship and become only the second team to win 5 consecutive championships after San Sebastian did the trick from 1993–1997. This was their eighth championship in the last nine years and their ninth consecutive finals appearance. Likewise, the San Beda Red Cubs won their 21st juniors basketball championship and became the first team in NCAA history to win six straight championships.
  • 2015: Letran ended San Beda Red Lions' five-year title reign. The Knights won their 17th seniors basketball championship after a 10-year drought. The Red Lions appeared in the finals for a record 10th time but lost their second. Meanwhile, the San Beda Red Cubs won their 22nd juniors basketball championship and this time, became the first team in NCAA history to win seven straight championships.
  • 2016: San Beda Red Lions won their 20th seniors basketball championship. This was their ninth championship in the last eleven years and their eleventh consecutive finals appearance. San Beda became the first host school, since 2005, to win the title. In the juniors tournament, the Malayan Red Robins ended San Beda Red Cubs' seven-year championship run. This is the Malayan Red Robins' first juniors basketball championship, since the old Mapua High School has phased out in 2000.
  • 2017: San Beda won their 21st seniors basketball championship by defeating the season leaders and first-time finals contenders, Lyceum Pirates. This was their tenth championship in twelve years and their twelfth consecutive finals appearance. In the juniors tournament, the LSGH Greenies dethroned the Malayan Red Robins to win their first championship in NCAA history.
  • 2019: Letran Knights dethroned San Beda again after 4 years, ending their three-year championship streak. The Knights won their 18th seniors basketball championship. In the juniors tournament, the San Beda Red Cubs won their 23rd juniors basketball championship by defeating the Lyceum Junior Pirates.
  • 2022: Letran won their 20th seniors basketball championship, made their second three-peat for the first time since Samboy Lim lead the team in his era from 1982 to 1984. Defeating the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, which entered finals for the first time since their last finals appearance in 2002, losing to the San Sebastian Stags. Also in juniors, the Letran Squires also won their 13th championship by defeating the La Salle Green Hills Greenies. Marking the end of the 22-year title drought, and the first double championship of the school in both seniors and juniors since 1983.

NCAA basketball champions

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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

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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

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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

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Men's tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
1936 Charles Borck   Philippines   San Beda
1940 Arturo Rius   Philippines   San Beda
1948 Moro Lorenzo   Philippines   Ateneo
1949 Moro Lorenzo   Philippines   Ateneo
1950 Lauro Mumar   Philippines   Letran
1951 Carlos Loyzaga   Philippines   San Beda
1952 Carlos Loyzaga   Philippines   San Beda
1953 Francisco Rabat   Philippines   Ateneo
1959 Alberto Reynoso   Philippines   San Beda
1961 Amado Martelino   Philippines   Ateneo
1966 Jimmy Alabanza   Philippines   Ateneo
1967 Rhoel Deles   Philippines   JRU
1969 Sixto Agbay   Philippines   JRU
1971 Atoy Co   Philippines   Mapúa
1972 Philip Cezar   Philippines   JRU
1973 Freddie Hubalde   Philippines   Mapúa
1974 Lim Eng Beng   Philippines   La Salle
1975 Alex Marquez   Philippines   Letran
1976 Steve Watson   Philippines   Ateneo
1977 Bernardo Carpio   Philippines   Ateneo
1978 Alex Marquez   Philippines   La Salle
1979 Ramon San Juan   Philippines   Letran
1981 Leo Isaac   Philippines   Mapúa
1982 Jerry Gonzales   Philippines   Letran
1983 Romeo Ang   Philippines   Letran
1984 Samboy Lim   Philippines   Letran
1985 Alvin Patrimonio   Philippines   Mapúa
1986 Alvin Patrimonio   Philippines   Mapúa
1987 Eugene Quilban   Philippines   San Sebastian
1988 Eugene Quilban   Philippines   San Sebastian
1989 Eric Clement Quiday   Philippines   Perpetual
1990 Estelito Epondulan   Philippines   JRU
1991 Antonio Valeriano   Philippines   San Beda
1992 Ronald Peña   Philippines   Letran
1993 Jesse Bardaje   Philippines   San Sebastian
1994 Rodney Santos   Philippines   San Sebastian
1995 Ruben dela Rosa   Philippines   Mapúa
1996 Rommel Adducul   Philippines   San Sebastian
1997 Rommel Adducul   Philippines   San Sebastian
1998 Chris Calaguio   Philippines   Letran
1999 Kerby Raymundo   Philippines   Letran
2000 Jojo Manalo   Philippines   Perpetual
2001 Ernani Epondulan   Philippines   JRU
2002 Sunday Salvacion   Philippines   Benilde
2003 Leo Najorda   Philippines   San Sebastian
2004 Gabby Espinas   Philippines   PCU
2005 Jay Sagad   Philippines   Benilde
2006 Sam Ekwe   Nigeria   San Beda
2007 Kelvin dela Peña   Philippines   Mapúa
2008 Sam Ekwe   Nigeria   San Beda
2009 John Wilson   Philippines   JRU
2010 Sudan Daniel   United States   San Beda
2011 Calvin Abueva   Philippines   San Sebastian
2012 Ian Sangalang   Philippines   San Sebastian
2013 Raymond Almazan   Philippines   Letran
2014 Scottie Thompson   Philippines   Perpetual
2015 Allwell Oraeme   Nigeria   Mapúa
2016 Allwell Oraeme   Nigeria   Mapúa
2017 CJ Perez   Philippines   Lyceum
2018 Prince Eze   Nigeria   Perpetual
2019 Calvin Oftana   Philippines   San Beda
2020[a] No tournament
2021[b] Rhenz Abando   Philippines   Letran
2022 Will Gozum   Philippines   Benilde
2023 Clint Escamis   Philippines   Mapúa
2024 Allen Liwag   Philippines   Benilde

Juniors' tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
1991 Tyrone Bautista   Philippines   San Beda
1992 Mark Telan   Philippines   Mapúa
1993 Dondon Valerio   Philippines   Mapúa
1994 Gherome Ejercito   Philippines   Mapúa
1995 Marvin Ortiguerra   Philippines   Mapúa
1996 Ren-Ren Ritualo [c]   Philippines   San Beda
Jenkins Mesina[c]   Philippines
1997 Edsel Feliciano   Philippines   Mapúa
1998 Derrick Hubalde   Philippines   Mapúa
1999 Arjun Cordero   Philippines   San Beda
2000 Ronjay Enrile   Philippines   Letran
2001 Jay-R Reyes   Philippines   Letran
2002 Oliver Cua   Philippines   Letran
2003 Jay-R Taganas   Philippines   San Beda
2004 Rogemar Menor   Philippines   San Beda
2005 Allan Mangahas   Philippines   PCU
2006 Jake Pascual   Philippines   PCU
2007 Ryan Buenafe   Philippines   San Sebastian
2008 Keith Agovida   Philippines   JRU
2009 Louie Vigil   Philippines   JRU
2010 Baser Amer   Philippines   San Beda
2011 Rey Nambatac   Philippines   Letran
2012 Bong Quinto   Philippines   Letran
2013 Prince Rivero   Philippines   LSGH
2014 Darius Estrella   Philippines   JRU
2015 Michael Enriquez   Philippines   Malayan
2016 Troy Mallillin   Philippines   LSGH
2017 Will Gozum   Philippines   Malayan
2018 JD Cagulangan   Philippines   LSGH
2019 John Barba   Philippines   Lyceum
2020[a] No tournament
2021[a]
2023 Luis Pablo   Philippines   LSGH
2024 Amiel Acido   Philippines   Perpetual
2025

Finals Most Valuable Player

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

Men's tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
1992 Gilbert Castillo   Philippines   Letran
1999 Kerby Raymundo   Philippines   Letran
2000 Mark Magsumbol   Philippines   Benilde
2001 Christian Coronel   Philippines   San Sebastian
2002 Leo Najorda   Philippines   San Sebastian
2003 Ronjay Enrile   Philippines   Letran
2004 Robert Sanz   Philippines   PCU
2005 Boyet Bautista   Philippines   Letran
2006 Yousif Aljamal   Philippines   San Beda
2007 Rogemar Menor   Philippines   San Beda
2008 Sam Ekwe   Nigeria   San Beda
2009 Jimbo Aquino   Philippines   San Sebastian
2010 Sudan Daniel   United States   San Beda
2011 Dave Marcelo   Philippines   San Beda
2012 Baser Amer   Philippines   San Beda
2013 Art dela Cruz   Philippines   San Beda
2014 Anthony Semerad   Philippines   San Beda
2015 Mark Cruz   Philippines   Letran
2016 Arnaud Noah   Cameroon   San Beda
2017 Donald Tankoua   Cameroon   San Beda
2018 Javee Mocon   Philippines   San Beda
2019 Fran Yu   Philippines   Letran
2020[a] No tournament
2021[b] Jeo Ambohot   Philippines   Letran
2022 King Caralipio   Philippines   Letran
2023 James Payosing   Philippines   San Beda
2024 Clint Escamis   Philippines   Mapúa

Juniors' tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
2001 Chuck Ronquillo   Philippines   Letran
2002 JVee Casio   Philippines   San Beda
2003 Rogemar Menor   Philippines   San Beda
2004 Rogemar Menor   Philippines   San Beda
2005 Eric Salamat   Philippines   San Sebastian
2006 Ryan Buenafe   Philippines   San Sebastian
2007 Ryan Buenafe   Philippines   San Sebastian
2008 Arvie Bringas   Philippines   San Sebastian
2009 Baser Amer   Philippines   San Beda
2010 Baser Amer   Philippines   San Beda
2011 Francis Abarcar   Philippines   San Beda
2012 Javee Mocon   Philippines   San Beda
2013 Arvin Tolentino   Philippines   San Beda
2014 Joshua Caracut   Philippines   San Beda
2015 Evan Nelle   Philippines   San Beda
2016 Bryan Samudio   Philippines   Malayan
2017 JD Cagulangan   Philippines   LSGH
2018 Paolo Hernandez   Philippines   Malayan
2019 Rhayyan Amsali   Philippines   San Beda
2020[a] No tournament
2021[a]
2023 Andy Gemao   Philippines   Letran
2024 Moses Manalili   Philippines   Letran
2025

Rookie of the Year

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Men's tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
1994 Rommel Adducul   Philippines   San Sebastian
1995 Jerome Barbosa   Philippines   San Sebastian
1996 Willie Miller   Philippines   Letran
1997 Kerby Raymundo   Philippines   Letran
1998 Christian Coronel   Philippines   San Sebastian
1999 Sunday Salvacion   Philippines   Benilde
2000 Al Magpayo   Philippines   Benilde
2001 Ismael Junio   Philippines   Letran
2002 Julian Bermejo   Philippines   San Sebastian
2003 Ronnie Bughao   Philippines   San Beda
2004 Gabby Espinas   Philippines   PCU
2005 Kelvin dela Peña   Philippines   Mapúa
2006 Sam Ekwe   Nigeria   San Beda
2007 Dave Marcelo   Philippines   San Beda
2008 Allan Mangahas   Philippines   Mapúa
2009 Sudan Daniel   United States   San Beda
2010 Carlo Lastimosa   Philippines   Benilde
2011 Josan Nimes   Philippines   Mapúa
2012 Cedric Noube Happi   Cameroon   EAC
2013 Juneric Baloria   Philippines   Perpetual
2014 Dioncee Holts   United States   Arellano
2015 Alwell Oraeme   Nigeria   Mapúa
2016 Mike Harry Nzeusseu   Cameroon   Lyceum
2017 Jaycee Marcelino   Philippines   Lyceum
2018 Larry Muyang   Philippines   Letran
2019 Justin Arana   Philippines   Arellano
2020[a] No tournament
2021[b] Rhenz Abando   Philippines   Letran
2022 Cade Flores   Philippines   Arellano
2023 Clint Escamis   Philippines   Mapúa
2024 Chris Hubilla   Philippines   Mapúa

Juniors' tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
2001 Jay-R Reyes   Philippines   Letran
2002 PJ Walsham   Philippines   Letran
2003 Jay-R Taganas   Philippines   San Beda
2004 Marko Batricevic   Serbia   LSGH
2005 Darell Green   Philippines   Letran
2006 Jake Pascual   Philippines   PCU
2007 Keith Agovida   Philippines   JRU
2008 Jarelan Tampus   Philippines   Letran
2009 Baser Amer   Philippines   San Beda
2010 Rey Nambatac   Philippines   Letran
2011 Lugie Cuyas   Philippines   EAC
2012 Bong Quinto   Philippines   Letran
2013 Jeric Adorio   Philippines   JRU
2014 Raphael Chavez   Philippines   Perpetual
2015 Lars Sunga   Philippines   Arellano
2016 Aaron Fermin   Philippines   Arellano
2017 Inand Fornilos   Philippines   LSGH
2018 Jonnel Policarpio   Philippines   Malayan
2019 Jolo Manansala   Philippines   LSGH
2020[a] No tournament
2021[a]
2023 Matthew Rubico   Philippines   Lyceum
2024 Mark Gojo Cruz   Philippines   Perpetual
2025

Freshman of the Year

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

Season Name Nationality Team
2023 Jay Garupil   Philippines   Letran
2024 Chris Hubilla   Philippines   Mapúa

Defensive Player of the Year

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Men's tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
2005 Gabby Espinas   Philippines   PCU
2006 Samuel Ekwe   Philippines   San Beda
2007 Jason Ballesteros   Philippines   San Sebastian
2008 Jason Ballesteros   Philippines   San Sebastian
2009 Sudan Daniel   United States   San Beda
2010 Sudan Daniel   United States   San Beda
2011 Ian Sangalang   Philippines   San Sebastian
2012 Raymond Almazan   Philippines   Letran
2013 Raymond Almazan   Philippines   Letran
2014 Joseph Gabayni   Philippines   Lyceum
2015 Allwell Oraeme   Nigeria   Mapúa
2016 Allwell Oraeme   Nigeria   Mapúa
2017 Prince Eze   Nigeria   Perpetual
2018 Prince Eze   Nigeria   Perpetual
2019 Justin Arana   Philippines   Arellano
2020[a] No tournament
2021[b] Justin Arana   Philippines   Arellano
2022 Cade Flores   Philippines   Arellano
2023 Rommel Calahat   Philippines   San Sebastian
2024 Allen Liwag   Philippines   Benilde

Juniors' tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
2005 Darrel Green   Philippines   Letran
2006 Jake Pascual   Philippines   PCU
2007 Keith Agovida   Philippines   JRU
2008 Keith Agovida   Philippines   JRU
2009 Louie Vigil   Philippines   JRU
2010 Vincent Menguito   Philippines   EAC
2011 Sidney Onwubere   Philippines   EAC
2012 Enjerico Diego   Philippines   Malayan
2013 Paolo Rivero   Philippines   LSGH
2014 John Winifred Gob   Philippines   LSGH
2015 John Umali   Philippines   Perpetual
2016 Aaron Fermin   Philippines   Arellano
2017 Aaron Fermin   Philippines   Arellano
2018 Aaron Fermin   Philippines   Arellano
2019 Jonnel Policarpio   Philippines   Malayan
2020[a] No tournament
2021[a]
2023 George Diamante[c]   Philippines   Letran
Paul Enal[c]   Philippines   JRU
2024 Paul Enal   Philippines   JRU
2025

Most Improved Player

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Men's tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
2005 Aaron Aban   Philippines   Letran
2006 Boyet Bautista   Philippines   Letran
2007 Marvin Hayes   Philippines   JRU
2008
2009 Jake Pascual   Philippines   San Beda
2010 Joe Etame   Cameroon   JRU
2011 Raymond Almazan   Philippines   Letran
2012 Scottie Thompson   Philippines   Perpetual
2013 Michael Mabulac   Philippines   JRU
2014 Jio Jalalon   Philippines   Arellano
2015 Michael Calisaan   Philippines   San Sebastian
2016 Donald Tankoua   Cameroon   San Beda
2017 Jed Mendoza   Philippines   JRU
2018 Archie Concepcion   Philippines   Arellano
2019 Fran Yu   Philippines   Letran
2020[a] No tournament
2021[b] Paolo Hernandez   Philippines   Malayan
2022 Shawn Umali   Philippines   Lyceum
2023 Jun Roque   Philippines   Perpetual
2024 Lorenz Capulong   Philippines   Arellano

Juniors' tournament

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Season Name Nationality Team
2005 Paolo Guidaben   Philippines   San Sebastian
2006 Michael Dizon   Philippines   Perpetual
2007 Christian dela Paz   Philippines   LSGH
2008
2009 Chris Javier   Philippines   San Beda
2010 Flash Sadiwa   Philippines   Perpetual
2011 Francis Abarcar   Philippines   San Beda
2012 Justin Serrano   Philippines   Mapúa
2013 Kobe Paras   Philippines   LSGH
2014 John Winifred Gob   Philippines   LSGH
2015 Maui Cruz   Philippines   EAC
2016 Joshua Tagala   Philippines   San Beda
2017 Clint Escamis[c]   Philippines   Malayan
Neil Villapando[c]   Philippines
2018 John Amores   Philippines   JRU
2019 Yukien Andrada   Philippines   San Beda
2020[a] No tournament
2021[a]
2023 Seven Gagate   Philippines   LSGH
2024 EJ Castillo   Philippines   EAC
2025

Best Foreign Player

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

Season Name Nationality Team
2019 Donald Tankoua   Cameroon   San Beda

Best Defensive Foreign Player

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

Season Name Nationality Team
2019 Mike Harry Nzeusseu   Cameroon   Lyceum

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. ^ a b c d e Season postponed to early 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Co-winners

Scoring records

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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)

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Season Name Team Avg.
2002 Sunday Salvacion   Benilde 20.3
2003 Ronald Capati   Benilde 19.1
2004 Noy Javier   Perpetual 20.7
2005 Redentor Vicente
Leo Najorda (tie)
  San Sebastian
  San Sebastian
17.5
2006 Khiel Misa   Perpetual 16.6
2007 Yousif Aljamal   San Beda 17.1
2008 RJ Jazul   Letran 14.7
2009 Argel Mendoza   EAC 20.9
2010 Carlo Lastimosa   Benilde 17.3
2011 Calvin Abueva   San Sebastian 20.6
2012 Calvin Abueva   San Sebastian 20.1
2013 Juneric Baloria   Perpetual 23.3
2014 Scottie Thompson   Perpetual 26.5
2015 Arthur dela Cruz   San Beda 19.7
2016 Jio Jalalon   Arellano 21.4
2017 Rey Nambatac   Letran 25.8
2018 Robert Bolick   San Beda 18.7
2019 Allyn Bulanadi   San Sebastian 20.3
2020[a] No tournament
2021[b] JM Calma   San Sebastian 16.9
2022 Will Gozum   Benilde 17.2
2023 Clint Escamis   Mapúa 16.3
2024 Paeng Are   San Sebastian 17.9

Notes:

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

Origin of team monikers

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  • Arellano Chiefs: Named after the first Chief Justice of the Philippines, Cayetano Arellano, whom the university was named after.
  • Letran Knights: The founder, Don Juan Geronimo Guerrero, was a Knight of Malta.
  • CSB Blazers: As homage to the school's efforts in introducing several pioneering academic programs in the country.
  • EAC Generals: Taken from the former name of the school, in honor of General Emilio Aguinaldo.
  • JRU Heavy Bombers: World War II Japanese vintage bombs found in their campus.
  • Lyceum Pirates: They are popularly known as Pirata ng Intramuros.
  • Mapua Cardinals: From Major League Baseball's franchise, the St. Louis Cardinals, the favorite team of founder Tomas Mapua.
  • San Beda Red Lions: Derived from the ancient British heraldic symbol, the Red Lion Rampant, which symbolizes courage. The Red Lion is a fitting symbol for a school named after the Venerable Bede of England, a Benedictine Saint and a great British intellectual.
  • San Sebastian Stags: A stag symbolizes a Christian who, filled with moral ideas, runs fast to God swiftly yet quietly in pursuit of his goals.
  • UPHSD Altas: The moniker ‘Altas’ comes from the Latin word “height,” symbolizing UPHSD's aspirations for further greatness. At the same time, it comes from the initials of the school founder, Dr. Antonio L. Tamayo.[10]

Memberships

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  • San Beda University is the only remaining founding member in the association.
  • San Beda is also the school with the longest span of membership, at 89 years.
  • The newest school to join the association is the Lyceum of the Philippines University which joined the association in 2011.
  • La Salle Green Hills competed as the junior team of two senior squads in the NCAA. It first competed as the junior team of DLSU then of CSB.
  • There were 3 schools who were guest teams in Season 85: the Emilio Aguinaldo College, Arellano University and the Angeles University Foundation. In 2010, EAC and Arellano were back as probationary members. The Lyceum of the Philippines University also played as a guest team in 2011. In 2013 Arellano became a regular member, so were EAC and Lyceum in 2015.

TV coverage

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Notes

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  1. ^ Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. ^ Season postponed to early 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

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  1. ^ Li, Matthew (March 7, 2022). "Pujante tapped as UAAP 84 commissioner, Cristobal for NCAA 97". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  2. ^ NCAA Through Time (currently unavailable) INQ7.net . March 28, 2006
  3. ^ History of the Ateneo de Manila University. 2005, 2006, 2007 Executive Planners. Published by the Ateneo de Manila University.
  4. ^ "See also". Archived from the original on March 13, 2007. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  5. ^ Blast from the Past Archived October 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Greenarcher.net. April 8, 2006
  6. ^ "NCAA Champions 1924 - 1976". Sports World. V (36). Quezon City: Sports World, Inc.: 7 October 1–7, 1977.
  7. ^ 100 point scorers Mindspring.com. April 17, 2006
  8. ^ Legaspi, Perry (July 22, 2009). "Bombs away: JRU's Saret fires 89 points in NCAA jrs". GMA News Online. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  9. ^ "NCAA player scores 82, sets new RP basketball scoring record". ABS-CBN News. September 5, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  10. ^ "The association of Extraordinary Players". The LANCE. Colegio de San Juan de Letran. June 2005. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2021.

See also

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