National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines)
Encyclopedia
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is an athletics association of nine colleges and universities in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

. Established in 1924, the NCAA is the oldest athletic association in the Philippines. The Philippine NCAA is not connected to the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...

 of the United States.

Policy Board and the Management Committee

The Policy Board and the Management Committee handles the affairs of the league. The Board and the Committee are composed of representatives of the eight member schools, and determine the acceptance and suspension of member schools, game reversals and replays, and other official actions.
During the nearly yearlong season from June to March, each school participates in 11 sports; each sport is conducted in two divisions: the Juniors for male high-school students, and the Seniors for college students. There are male and female Seniors divisions for some events. The Juniors and Seniors divisions each award a General Championship trophy at the end of the academic year to the school which had the best performance in all sports, based on the total amount of points scored in a Championship tally.

Membership changes

Rivalries developed in the hotly contested basketball event. These rivalries resulted in brawls among fans of member schools. Some brawls were full-blown that several schools decided to withdraw from the league. The NCAA authorities took measures to prevent brawls, such as the segregation of supporters of opposing schools in the playing venues. With the withdrawal of member schools came the admission of new members into the league. In season 2006–07
NCAA Season 82
-Awards:Elwin Pascual won the MVP award in the Juniors' division, although it was later returned after the conclusion of PCU High School's eligibility scandal.* Most Valuable Player: Elvin Pascual...

, the league contemplated an expansion by establishing a Division II. After season 2008–09
NCAA Season 84
NCAA Season 84 is the 2008–2009 season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines.Mapua Institute of Technology is the host of the 2008–2009 season, with the year's theme being "To The Fore at 84: Building Bridges Through Sports"...

, PCU took an indefinite leave of absence after it was discovered that several high school players used spurious documents to enroll in the school. As a result, the league had only seven members in season 2009–10
NCAA Season 85
-Awardees:*Most Valuable Player: John Wilson *Rookie of the Year: Sudan Daniel -Bracket:-Volleyball:The volleyball tournaments commence on August 16, 2009 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium...

. Two schools (Arellano Chiefs
Arellano Chiefs
The Arellano University Chiefs are the athletic teams of Arellano University. The school's teams compete in the NCAA and the NCRAA. The team has several intercollegiate varsity sports teams for women and men at Arellano.-History:...

 and EAC Generals
EAC Generals
The Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals are the varsity teams of Emilio Aguinaldo College of Ermita, Manila. They currently play at the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association and the National Capital Region Athletic Association ....

), were welcomed as probationary members in season 2010-11
NCAA Season 86
-Bracket:-Women's tournament:The semifinals in the women's division was restarted after the league forfeited all the games that April Ann Sartin and Ronnery dela Cruz of Perpetual Help and Arianne Yap and Janel Lim of St. Benilde played for eligibility violations...

. In season 2011-12
NCAA Season 87
-Awards:*Most Valuable Player: Calvin Abueva, San Sebastian College-Recoletos*Rookie of the Year: Josan Nimes, Mapua Institute of Technology-Bracket:-Awards:*Most Valuable Player: Rey Nambatac, Colegio de San Juan de Letran...

, the league welcomed the Lyceum Pirates
Lyceum of the Philippines University
The Lyceum of the Philippines University is an institute of higher education located in Intramuros in the City of Manila. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. José P. Laurel, who became the third and one of the most acclaimed presidents of the Philippines...

 as a guest team.

Member schools

The number and composition of NCAA members has changed over the years. The association is currently composed of the following colleges and universities, with their corresponding team mascots, affiliation, and the year of admission.
Colors School Seniors' Juniors Affiliation Membership Enrollment
Men Women
Arellano University
Arellano University
Arellano University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Manila, Philippines, established in 1938 by Florentino Cayco, Sr. as the Arellano Law College which was later known as Arellano Colleges...

Chiefs
Arellano Chiefs
The Arellano University Chiefs are the athletic teams of Arellano University. The school's teams compete in the NCAA and the NCRAA. The team has several intercollegiate varsity sports teams for women and men at Arellano.-History:...

Lady Chiefs Braves Private/Non-sectarian 2009–present N/A
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Letran College, or simply Letran is a private Roman Catholic institution of learning located in Intramuros, Manila, in the Philippines. The college was founded in 1620. Colegio de San Juan de Letran has the distinction of being the oldest college in the...

Knights
Letran Knights
Letran Knights is the name of the varsity basketball team of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Letran College is a Roman Catholic institution and the oldest college in the Philippines....

Lady Knights Squires Private/Order of Preachers 1928-33, 1936–present 10,052
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a private Catholic college in the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. The main campus is along Taft Avenue, with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue...

Blazers
St. Benilde Blazers
The Saint Benilde Blazers are the NCAA basketball team of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.The Blazers were formerly a member National Capital Region Athletic Association before they applied and were admitted to the NCAA in 1998...

Lady Blazers -- Private/De La Salle Brothers 1998–present 11,765
La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills is a private Catholic school exclusively for boys located on Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is run by the Roman Catholic Brothers of the Christian Schools- Philippine District. It was established in 1959 by the De La Salle Brothers led by the...

-- -- Greenies
La Salle Greenies
The La Salle Greenies is the varsity team representing La Salle Green Hills is the junior affiliate team of the St...

1968-81, 1998–present N/A
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Emilio Aguinaldo College
The Emilio Aguinaldo College is a private school in Manila, Philippines. It runs under the management of the Marian Clinics Incorporated.-Faculties and Schools:The college offers undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the following disciplines:...

Generals
EAC Generals
The Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals are the varsity teams of Emilio Aguinaldo College of Ermita, Manila. They currently play at the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association and the National Capital Region Athletic Association ....

Lady Generals -- Private/Non-sectarian 2009–present 4,200
Immaculate Conception Academy
Immaculate Conception Academy
Immaculate Conception Academy, Dasmariñas is a private, non-sectarian educational institution in Dasmariñas, Cavite, the Philippines. It is owned and managed by the board of directors.- History :...

-- -- Brigadiers
José Rizal University
José Rizal University
José Rizal University is a non-sectarian, non-stock private educational institution. It is located at Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It was founded in 1919 by Vicente Fabella, who was the first Philippine Certified Accountant.José Rizal University joined the National Collegiate...

Heavy Bombers
JRU Heavy Bombers
The JRU Heavy Bombers are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the Jose Rizal University.They currently have the longest championship drought in the NCAA with 38 title-less seasons....

Lady Bombers Light Bombers Private/Non-sectarian 1927–present 11,199
Mapúa Institute of Technology
Mapúa Institute of Technology
Mapúa Institute of Technology is a private, non-sectarian, Filipino tertiary institute located in Intramuros, Manila and in Makati....

Cardinals
Mapúa Cardinals
The Mapúa Cardinals is the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the Mapúa Institute of Technology.The Mapúa Cardinals holds the NCAA record for the most number of General Championships in the seniors division with a total of 20—the last of these championships was won in 1993...

Lady Cardinals -- Private/Non-sectarian 1930–present 19,389
Malayan High School of Science
Malayan High School of Science
The Malayan High School of Science is a private secondary educational institution established in 2005 and is managed and operated by the Mapúa Institute of Technology . It is located on a one-hectare property along P...

-- -- Red Robins 2008–presentThe original Mapua High School represented the Mapua juniors team from 1930 to 2005. N/A
San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College or Dalubhasaan ng San Beda in Filipino is a Private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located on Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila...

Red Lions
San Beda Red Lions
The San Beda Red Lions are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of San Beda College.San Beda is the only founding member left in the league....

Red Lionesses Red Cubs Private/Order of Saint Benedict
Order of Saint Benedict
The Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests...

1924–1983, 1986–present 9,418
San Sebastian College – Recoletos Golden Stags
San Sebastian Stags
The San Sebastian Golden Stags are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the San Sebastian College – Recoletos....

Lady Stags Golden Staglets Private/Augustinian Recollects
Augustinian Recollects
-History:The Order of Augustinian Recollects or simply the Augustinian Recollects are a Roman Catholic mendicant Catholic religious order of friars and nuns. They are a reformist offshoot from the Augustinian hermit friars and follow the same Rule of St...

1969–present 4,481
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA is a co-educational and non-sectarian university. It offers courses in pre-school, elementary, secondary and the tertiary and graduate levels; as well as short vocational, technical and special courses.-History:...

Altas
UPHSD Altas
The UPHSD Altas are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA...

Lady Altas Junior Altas Private/Non-sectarian 1984–present 19,502



Guest teams for the 2011–12
NCAA Season 87
-Awards:*Most Valuable Player: Calvin Abueva, San Sebastian College-Recoletos*Rookie of the Year: Josan Nimes, Mapua Institute of Technology-Bracket:-Awards:*Most Valuable Player: Rey Nambatac, Colegio de San Juan de Letran...

 include:
Colors School Seniors' Juniors Affiliation Membership Enrollment
Men Women
Lyceum of the Philippines University
Lyceum of the Philippines University
The Lyceum of the Philippines University is an institute of higher education located in Intramuros in the City of Manila. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. José P. Laurel, who became the third and one of the most acclaimed presidents of the Philippines...

 
Pirates
Lyceum Pirates
The Lyceum Pirates is the name of the collegiate men's varsity basketball team of the Lyceum of the Philippines University that plays in the National Collegiate Athletic Association , the premiere athletic league in the country...

 
Lady Pirates Junior Pirates Private/non-sectarian 2011–present 12,589

Structure and hosting

The Policy Board, composed of the presidents of member schools, manages the NCAA's external and internal affairs. It handles matters such as acceptance, replacement, and suspension of member schools. The NCAA presidency rotates among member schools.

The other main administrative body in the NCAA is the Management Committee (MANCOM), which determines matters of athletic concern, such as determining the proper conditions for playing, suspension of players, coaches, and referees, reversal or review of game results, and investigation of ineligible players. The Management Committee is composed of the athletics moderators (or athletic directors) of the member schools, who are selected by their respective university presidents, and the league chairperson, who is selected by the Policy Board. Like the league president, the chair of the Management Committee rotates among member schools.

The president of the Policy Board and the chairperson of the Management committee come from the school currently hosting the basketball tournament. The rotation is determined by the order of when each school joined the league. For the 2009–10 season, the host will be San Beda College.

The host school manages the logistics, expenses, labor and security in the venues. Each sport has its own host, with the host for basketball being the head of all hosts.

Sports

The NCAA sponsors eleven sports, which are divided into two divisions: the Juniors division for high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....

 students and the Seniors division for college students. There are male and female Seniors divisions for some events.

Each member college or university has an affiliated high school that competes in the Juniors division. For example, San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College or Dalubhasaan ng San Beda in Filipino is a Private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located on Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila...

's affiliated high school is its campus at Taytay, Rizal
Taytay, Rizal
The Municipality of Taytay is a first class, urban municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. It is currently the third second most populous town in Rizal after and Cainta. Taytay serves a the gateway of West Rizal to the cities of Pasig and Taguig...

, while Letran College's high school is found within its college campus at Intramuros
Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest district in the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila, the seat ot the government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin, intramuros,...

. While these two high schools are integrated within their colleges, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a private Catholic college in the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. The main campus is along Taft Avenue, with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue...

 is not directly connected with its high school affiliate, La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills is a private Catholic school exclusively for boys located on Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is run by the Roman Catholic Brothers of the Christian Schools- Philippine District. It was established in 1959 by the De La Salle Brothers led by the...

 (LSGH), except that they are both administered by the Lasallian Brothers. As a result, LSGH labels "St. Benilde" instead of "La Salle" on their jerseys.

The NCAA sponsors the following sports for Juniors and Seniors: basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

, soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...

, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...

, taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...

, track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...

, chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...

, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...

, table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...

, volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...

, and beach volleyball
Beach volleyball
Beach volleyball, or sand volleyball, is an Olympic team sport played by two teams of two players on a sand court divided by a net.Like volleyball, the object of the game is to send the ball over the net in order to ground it on the opponent’s court, and to prevent the same effort by the opponent....

. The last three sporting events have a women's division. Cheerleading
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...

 is a demonstration event and is not included in the tabulation of each school's final score in the season's General Championship.

The General Champion for the each division in an academic year is determined by a points system similar to the one used in Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...

, where the school with the highest accumulated score from all events in a division wins the General Championship. A championship in an event entitles a school with 40 points, the second placer 30, up to eighth place, with five points. For an example, see the tabulation of points for Season 84.

Currently, on De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a private Catholic college in the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. The main campus is along Taft Avenue, with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue...

 and San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College or Dalubhasaan ng San Beda in Filipino is a Private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located on Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila...

 compete in all Seniors' sports, while La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills
La Salle Green Hills is a private Catholic school exclusively for boys located on Ortigas Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is run by the Roman Catholic Brothers of the Christian Schools- Philippine District. It was established in 1959 by the De La Salle Brothers led by the...

, San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College or Dalubhasaan ng San Beda in Filipino is a Private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located on Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila...

 and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA is a co-educational and non-sectarian university. It offers courses in pre-school, elementary, secondary and the tertiary and graduate levels; as well as short vocational, technical and special courses.-History:...

 participates in all Juniors' sports.

Early years

The NCAA was founded in 1924 on the initiative of Dr. Regino R. Ylanan, a physical education professor of the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...

 (UP). The original members were the Ateneo de Manila
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...

, De La Salle College
De La Salle University-Manila
De La Salle University is a private Lasallian university in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1911 by De La Salle Brothers as the De La Salle College in Paco, Manila with Blimond Pierre serving as its first director...

, Institute of Accounts
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University in the University Belt area, West Sampaloc, City of Manila, is a nonsectarian, private university in the Philippines. Created by the merger of Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, FEU became a university in 1934 under the guidance of...

, National University
National University (Philippines)
National University is a university in Manila, Philippines.It is a founding member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and is a pioneer of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities...

 (NU), San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College or Dalubhasaan ng San Beda in Filipino is a Private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located on Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila...

 (SBC), the University of Manila
University of Manila
The University of Manila is a university located in the heart of Sampaloc in Manila, Philippines, more commonly known as the University Belt area. It was founded in 1913 by five young college students, the three de Los santos siblings and two of their friends.-External links:*...

, the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...

, and the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...

 (UST).
The decision of the Board of Directors to file papers of incorporation with the then Bureau of Commerce in 1930 led to protests from the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...

, which was the only public institution among member schools, saying that it would lead to commercialization. National University
National University (Philippines)
National University is a university in Manila, Philippines.It is a founding member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and is a pioneer of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities...

 and the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...

 sided with the University of the Philippines on the matter. This led into the formation, via an Article of Agreement, of a triangular meet among NU
National University (Philippines)
National University is a university in Manila, Philippines.It is a founding member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and is a pioneer of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities...

, UP
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...

 and UST
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...

, with the Board of Control's condition that NCAA events should take precedence. The league established came to be known as the "Big Three," and on 1932, the Article of Agreement was renewed.

In 1936, the University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...

 withdrew permanently in the NCAA and continued with their own league, while Far Eastern University (FEU)
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University in the University Belt area, West Sampaloc, City of Manila, is a nonsectarian, private university in the Philippines. Created by the merger of Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, FEU became a university in 1934 under the guidance of...

 withdrew on its own. Six schools remained in the league and became known as the "old-timer six" – Ateneo de Manila
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...

, Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Letran College, or simply Letran is a private Roman Catholic institution of learning located in Intramuros, Manila, in the Philippines. The college was founded in 1620. Colegio de San Juan de Letran has the distinction of being the oldest college in the...

, De La Salle College
De La Salle University-Manila
De La Salle University is a private Lasallian university in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1911 by De La Salle Brothers as the De La Salle College in Paco, Manila with Blimond Pierre serving as its first director...

, José Rizal College
José Rizal University
José Rizal University is a non-sectarian, non-stock private educational institution. It is located at Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It was founded in 1919 by Vicente Fabella, who was the first Philippine Certified Accountant.José Rizal University joined the National Collegiate...

, Mapúa Institute of Technology
Mapúa Institute of Technology
Mapúa Institute of Technology is a private, non-sectarian, Filipino tertiary institute located in Intramuros, Manila and in Makati....

 and San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College or Dalubhasaan ng San Beda in Filipino is a Private Benedictine college run by the Benedictine monks in the Philippines. It is located on Mendiola Street in San Miguel, Manila...

. Also in 1936, league's basketball games were transferred to the newly-completed Rizal Memorial Coliseum
Rizal Memorial Coliseum
The Rizal Memorial Coliseum is one of two indoor sporting arenas located inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines, the other being the Ninoy Aquino Stadium...

, owing to its accessibility among the schools, since most schools were in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...

.

In 1938, Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University in the University Belt area, West Sampaloc, City of Manila, is a nonsectarian, private university in the Philippines. Created by the merger of Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, FEU became a university in 1934 under the guidance of...

, National University
National University (Philippines)
National University is a university in Manila, Philippines.It is a founding member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and is a pioneer of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities...

, the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...

 and the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...

 formed the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, a rival intercollegiate league.

The NCAA experienced a golden age during the postwar years. The Loyola Center
Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym
The Blue Eagle Gym is a gymnasium located in the main campus of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, Philippines. Unlike most gymnasiums, the basketball court is oriented perpendicular to the orientation of the building...

 at the Ateneo campus became the new home of the league. Due to the home court advantage of the Ateneo, Blue Eagles games were held on the old Rizal Memorial.

1950s

The 1950s will be known in the annals of history as one of the best decades of the NCAA. The start of the decade was the glory year of the fabled Letran Murder Inc. Eventually, it will be the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles and San Beda Red Lions who would be locking horns during the fabled era.

The decade produced legendary collegiate players like Carlos Loyzaga
Carlos Loyzaga
Carlos M. Loyzaga is a former Filipino basketball player and coach. He led the Philippine National team to a Bronze Medal finish in the 1954 FIBA World Championship. The Philippines third place finish remains the highest rank of any Asian team in the history of the tournament...

 (San Beda), Lauro "the Fox" Mumar
Lauro Mumar
Lauro "Larry" Mumar , is a former Filipino basketball player and later served as the national team head coach of India and the Philippines...

 (Letran), and Frankie Rabat (Ateneo) among others.

The 1950s was also known as the decade of the Crispulo Zamora Cup. The Crispulo Zamora Cup was the trophy to be awarded by the NCAA for the first team to get three championship crowns.

The Letran Knights started with their 1950 campaign bannering their legendary Murder Inc. However , they lost steam when San Beda and Ateneo traded championships thereafter. San Beda won the crown in 1951 and the 1952 season. Ateneo stopped San Beda in 1953 and secured the 1954 championship. The 1955 season was the deciding year for the Crispulo Zamora Cup which San Beda eventually won.

In the post Zamora Cup era, La Salle made their own statement by winning the crown in 1956. Still, Ateneo was undaunted and secured the 1957 and 1958 trophy. A third straight post-Zamora crown was only foiled by San Beda in 1959 ending the legendary decade of the 50s.

1960s to 1980s

NCAA basketball champions formed the core of the Filipino team sent to international competitions during 1960 and 1961 in Japan. The opening of the Araneta Coliseum
Araneta Coliseum
The Smart Araneta Coliseum, known as The Big Dome is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena located in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines...

, the largest indoor arena in the Philippines, prompted the league to transfer the championship round there.

By the 1960s, the league experienced problems such as eligibility of players and interscholastic hooliganism
Hooliganism
Hooliganism refers to unruly, destructive, aggressive and bullying behaviour. Such behaviour is commonly associated with sports fans. The term can also apply to general rowdy behaviour and vandalism, often under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs....

. This led to disagreements among member schools, and as a result the 1962–63 season was suspended, and the following two seasons were held in a loose conference format, where the home and away system was used. San Sebastian College - Recoletos
San Sebastian College - Recoletos
San Sebastian College – Recoletos de Manila or commonly known by their nickname Bastê, is a Catholic institution of higher learning in the Philippines...

 joined the league in 1969.
After the riotous games of the late 1970s, several of the founding members left the league. The Ateneo de Manila University left the league in 1978 due to violence, which also marred a championship series with San Beda, while La Salle left after a riotous game with Letran in 1980. Ateneo de Manila was accepted in the UAAP in 1978, while La Salle had to wait for six years to become a UAAP member. San Beda left the league in 1983, reasoning that the college will focus on school-based sports activities like intramurals.

With the withdrawal of Ateneo de Manila, league games returned to the old Rizal Memorial and to the PhilSports Arena
PhilSports Arena
The Philippine Institute of Sports Arena or PhilSports Arena is an indoor sporting arena located inside the PhilSports Complex in Pasig, Philippines. It was formerly known as the University of Life Training and Recreational Arena or the ULTRA. The arena and its surrounding sports complex are...

, since the Loyola Center was now the location of the UAAP tournament. Also with the withdrawal of the three founding members, most daily publications tagged the NCAA as "an ironic journey from sports to violence."

1980s to 1990s expansion

As the league was reduced to four members, membership was actively pursued. Perpetual Help College of Rizal
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
The University of Perpetual Help System DALTA is a co-educational and non-sectarian university. It offers courses in pre-school, elementary, secondary and the tertiary and graduate levels; as well as short vocational, technical and special courses.-History:...

 was accepted as members in 1984. A year later, Trinity College of Quezon City became a full member. However, Trinity was not able to meet league requirements and was dropped from the league in 1986, the same year San Beda returned.

Measures were taken to prevent major brawls from starting such as patrolling the behavior of the crowd by the respective faculties of the member schools, were implemented as part of the remedy to ensure the security during the NCAA games.

The addition of Philippine Christian University
Philippine Christian University
The Philippine Christian University is a private university along Taft Avenue, Manila. It was founded in 1946 through the initiatives of the Laymen of the Evangelical Association of the Philippines. Originally named as Manila Union University, it was renamed as Philippine Christian College...

 and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a private Catholic college in the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. The main campus is along Taft Avenue, with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue...

 in the late 1990s resulted in the eight-school lineup.

A major breakthrough occurred when the league, upon the initiative of host school San Beda, made a move that switched the television coverage of NCAA games from MCI group to ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...

 on March 18, 2002. Previously, only the Final Four and the Championship games were televised, but with the five-year contract inked with ABS-CBN, a majority of the basketball games will be aired, giving the league bigger exposure to fans, students and alumni. ABS-CBN would later air the games on its international affiliate, The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel
The Filipino Channel is an international television station owned by the Philippine-based multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. The network is currently available in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and the United States. It has over two million subscribers in these...

, making the games viewable to alumni and fans abroad
Overseas Filipino
An Overseas Filipino is a person of Philippine origin who lives outside of the Philippines. This term applies both to people of Filipino ancestry who are citizens or residents of a different country and to those Filipino citizens abroad on a more temporary status.Most overseas Filipinos migrate to...

.

Current expansion

The NCAA has set its plan of expansion. Division II, as it will be called, will be composed of newly admitted schools. The league has already visited and issued invitations to schools such as Arellano University
Arellano University
Arellano University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Manila, Philippines, established in 1938 by Florentino Cayco, Sr. as the Arellano Law College which was later known as Arellano Colleges...

, Emilio Aguinaldo College
Emilio Aguinaldo College
The Emilio Aguinaldo College is a private school in Manila, Philippines. It runs under the management of the Marian Clinics Incorporated.-Faculties and Schools:The college offers undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the following disciplines:...

 and the Lyceum of the Philippines University
Lyceum of the Philippines University
The Lyceum of the Philippines University is an institute of higher education located in Intramuros in the City of Manila. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. José P. Laurel, who became the third and one of the most acclaimed presidents of the Philippines...

.

In 1998, the affiliated schools in the CALABARZON
CALABARZON
CALABARZON is one of the regions of the Philippines. It is also designated as Region IV-A and its regional center is Calamba City in Laguna...

 region and southern Metro Manila established NCAA South
National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) South
The National Collegiate Athletic Association - South is an athletic association of colleges and universities mostly coming from NCR and CALABARZON regions of the Philippines. It was established on 1999 by sister schools of the NCAA....

, an offshoot of the league. The schools of NCAA South do not compete with the schools in the main league.

The return of a Mapúa Juniors team, which took a leave of absence beginning at the 2005–06 season
NCAA Season 80
-Fourth-seed playoff:-UPHDS–San Beda series:-PCU–Letran series:-Finals:-Juniors basketball tournament:In the NCAA Junior's Basketball Tournament, San Beda High beat Letran High in three games to capture their third straight title...

, would return at the 2007–08 season
NCAA Season 83
-Elimination round:Host team in boldface.-Bracket:-Volleyball:-Men's tournament:The men's volleyball tournament began last July 8 at Saint Placid's Gym, San Beda College in Manila with six schools participating.-Team standings:...

, as the newly built Malayan High School would be fully operational. Malayan High School would represent the Mapúa Institute of Technology. However, the return of the Mapúa juniors team on 2007 was held off; the Mapua team representing the Malayan High School of Science
Malayan High School of Science
The Malayan High School of Science is a private secondary educational institution established in 2005 and is managed and operated by the Mapúa Institute of Technology . It is located on a one-hectare property along P...

 will official debut on the 2008–09 season
NCAA Season 85
-Awardees:*Most Valuable Player: John Wilson *Rookie of the Year: Sudan Daniel -Bracket:-Volleyball:The volleyball tournaments commence on August 16, 2009 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium...

.

After it was revealed that several players of the PCU juniors' basketball team enrolled with spurious documents, PCU's seniors and juniors teams were suspended in the 2007-08 season. The seniors teams participated in the 2008-09 season, but all teams would take an indefinite leave of absence starting at the 2009-10 season. As a result, the Management Committee conducted a search for PCU's replacement but it was decided that such replacements would be deferred to the 2010–11 season
NCAA Season 86
-Bracket:-Women's tournament:The semifinals in the women's division was restarted after the league forfeited all the games that April Ann Sartin and Ronnery dela Cruz of Perpetual Help and Arianne Yap and Janel Lim of St. Benilde played for eligibility violations...

. The league opted to invite guest teams instead, with Angeles University Foundation
Angeles University Foundation
The Angeles University Foundation , is a private Roman Catholic university in Angeles City, Philippines. It is a non-stock, non-profit educational institution established on May 25, 1962 by Mr. Agustin P. Angeles, Dr. Barbara Y. Angeles and family...

, Arellano University
Arellano University
Arellano University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Manila, Philippines, established in 1938 by Florentino Cayco, Sr. as the Arellano Law College which was later known as Arellano Colleges...

 (AU) and Emilio Aguinaldo College
Emilio Aguinaldo College
The Emilio Aguinaldo College is a private school in Manila, Philippines. It runs under the management of the Marian Clinics Incorporated.-Faculties and Schools:The college offers undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the following disciplines:...

 (EAC) being the invitees, and being eligible to win championships. On the next season
NCAA Season 86
-Bracket:-Women's tournament:The semifinals in the women's division was restarted after the league forfeited all the games that April Ann Sartin and Ronnery dela Cruz of Perpetual Help and Arianne Yap and Janel Lim of St. Benilde played for eligibility violations...

, AU and EAC's status was upgraded to probationary membership. Lyceum of the Philippines University
Lyceum of the Philippines University
The Lyceum of the Philippines University is an institute of higher education located in Intramuros in the City of Manila. It was founded in 1952 by Dr. José P. Laurel, who became the third and one of the most acclaimed presidents of the Philippines...

, which had earlier sought membership, was accepted as a guest team in the 2011–12
NCAA Season 87
-Awards:*Most Valuable Player: Calvin Abueva, San Sebastian College-Recoletos*Rookie of the Year: Josan Nimes, Mapua Institute of Technology-Bracket:-Awards:*Most Valuable Player: Rey Nambatac, Colegio de San Juan de Letran...

 season.

Early rivalries

Almost all of the rivalries of the NCAA originated from the basketball court, since basketball is the sport most covered by the media, especially on television. Most of the rivalries started due to the schools' compositions, because four of the old-timer six were schools exclusively for males from affluent families. These rivalries have declined in recent years with the withdrawal of two of the old-timer six, Ateneo and La Salle.

With the addition of new members to the league, rivalries shifted to more of a geographical nature. However, the former members would still face their old rivals in other leagues during the off-season, such as the Home and Away Invitational League, the Philippine Collegiate Championship
Philippine Collegiate Championship
The Philippine Collegiate Championship is the national collegiate basketball championship tournament in the Philippines. It is sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country's national basketball federation, and organized by the Philippine Collegiate Champions League...

, and the Shakey's V-League
Shakey's V-League
The Shakey's V-League is an intercollegiate women's volleyball league in the Philippines formed in 2004 under the management group led by former PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino and pizza company Shakey's...

.

Ateneo-UP

A rivalry between the Ateneo de Manila and the University of the Philippines existed even before the formation of the NCAA. University of the Philippines students would troop from Padre Faura to the Ateneo campus in Intramuros
Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest district in the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila, the seat ot the government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin, intramuros,...

 to play basketball with the Ateneans, which led to the Ateneo de Manila forming the first organized cheering squad and pep band in the Philippines and what is now known as the Blue Babble Battalion.
This would later become "UAAP's Battle of Katipunan" when the Ateneo de Manila and the University of the Philippines transferred to their campuses to Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...

 and when the two schools began competing in the UAAP.

Ateneo-La Salle

Arguably the most popular rivalry in Filipino sports was forged in the NCAA: The Ateneo-La Salle rivalry. Historical records are unclear on when the rivalry began, although there are arguments pointing to La Salle's 1939 defeat of a top-seeded Ateneo de Manila basketball team and their being dethroned by the Ateneans who beat the Lasallites in the elimination round. While La Salle held their victory parade, they threw fried chickens at the Padre Faura gate of the Ateneo. However. the La Salle cage team was disbarred for fielding an ineligible player the following year (although the title would not become Ateneo's until 1941, two years after the defeat).

Ateneo-La Salle games were always heated, for both schools were exclusively for males. However, La Salle during its stint in the NCAA was not as strong a contender as Ateneo de Manila was (see Ateneo-San Beda rivalry), with Ateneo de Manila not meeting La Salle again until the 1959 Finals, where Ateneo de Manila prevailed. Ateneo-La Salle games are now some of the most anticipated games of the UAAP season.

Ateneo-San Beda

With the departure of University of the Philippines, the Ateneo de Manila and San Beda College fielded the dominant basketball teams for several seasons, having won the last six titles between them. It was in this context that the fierce rivalry between the Ateneo and San Beda emerged. The two teams traded championships in the 1930s that was halted when La Salle scored an upset over Ateneo in the 1939 season. By the time World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 began, Ateneo de Manila already had the most number of NCAA senior's basketball titles with six, whereas San Beda had five titles to its name.

The ensuing years saw the two schools trade championships and end one another's winning streaks. The rivalry between the Blue Eagles and Red Lions continued and there were memorable games in the 1950s that ensued between the two teams. Carlos Loyzaga's San Beda Red Lions toppled the Blue Eagles of the Ateneo from 1951 to 1952. Then, the Blue Eagles under the leadership of Frankie Rabat captured the 1953 and 1954 NCAA titles. 1955 was the year when the Crispulo Zamora trophy was awarded to San Beda when they defeated Ateneo de Manila for the coveted crown. The Blue Eagles again prevailed with 1957 and 1958 back-to-back crown only to be defeated by San Beda in 1959.

The rivalry continued in the 1970s, when their sons, Chito Loyzaga and Louie Rabat met in the NCAA. The rivalry came to an end in the 1977 Finals series. On Game One, a brawl ensued against fans of the competing teams, which led the third game being held on closed doors, with San Beda winning the basketball championship, after Ateneo's last second shot was ruled invalid. The violence surrounding this championship series, coupled with the violence that was plaguing the league, led to the withdrawal from the NCAA of both Ateneo and San Beda. The Blue Eagles left with 14 seniors titles, a record for the most number of seniors titles that would only be tied and surpassed decades later. San Beda later won its 14th title in 2008. The Ateneo de Manila joined the UAAP, while San Beda College eventually came back to the NCAA.

La Salle-Letran

In the 1970s, La Salle started its own rivalry against Letran. Letran then had 6 championships while La Salle got its fifth championship at the expense of Letran in the diamond (75th year) championship series. La Salle then was managed by Eduardo Cojuangco, a known crony of then president Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...

. Coincidentally, Cojuangco controlled the FIBA-recognized Basketball Association of the Philippines
Basketball Association of the Philippines
The Basketball Association of the Philippines was the International Basketball Federation recognized national governing body for basketball in the Philippines...

(BAP) and was appointed by Marcos as project-director for basketball.

The rivalry came into a climax on an August 16, 1980 La Salle-Letran game. The Letran bleachers were totally unoccupied minutes before the game began; Letran school authorities would not let their students get inside unless De La Salle's team manager's "guests" leave the south end bleachers that are part of the Letran stands.

The group moved over to the north end (La Salle side) after talks between Cojuangco and Letran Rector Fr. Regino Cortes. Only then did the Letran bleachers fill up. With the game on the way, Letran was toting a 22-18 lead when they called a time-out halfway through the first half; then, the south end reserve section (Letran side) erupted with at least five burly men (part of the guests of La Salle's team manager) ganging up on a hapless Letran high school sophomore student for a full minute before police could intervene. But for the mauled student, none was picked up (by the police). Almost simultaneously, the La Salle bench suddenly stood up, the players hunched and protecting their heads with towels and jackets against various missiles pelted on them.

The "guests" of De La Salle's team manager were also present during that time when La Salle was able to win over Letran on August 6. Should La Salle win on August 16, it still has to face San Beda (the other qualifier) and win to clinch the round championship; a victory by Letran over La Salle gives it the first round flag.

Cojuangco never explained why his "guests" just happened to be positioned in the Letran side of the Coliseum. La Salle for its part, claims that the five men who beat up the Letran student were La Salle students, and both teams went immediately to their respective dugouts. A large number of spectators were hurt, and a great portion of the coliseum was damaged. The game was called off by the NCAA and ordered a replay
Replay (sports)
In sports, a replay refers to a second game between two teams after the first game's results were either nullified or ended in a draw. A game may be nullified if the game's result is protested and the organizers ruled to replay the game...

 behind closed doors, but the BAP ordered the remainder of the season to be canceled. La Salle then announced on a press conference on September 1981 that they will withdraw from the NCAA effective at the end of the 1980-81 season.

The BAP had its findings released that the rumble was started by Letran students thus giving Letran a one year layoff in the NCAA. Letran was immediately reinstated back in 1981.

Recent rivalries

After the former members transferred to the UAAP, new rivalries were formed and the NCAA slowly revived its former glory.

Letran-San Sebastian

After both Ateneo and La Salle left, San Sebastian (frequently shortened to "Baste") strengthened their basketball program. The acquisition of Paul Alvarez to San Sebastian and Samboy Lim
Samboy Lim
Avelino B. Lim, Jr. , better known as Samboy Lim, is a former basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. As a shooting guard, the iconic Lim distinguished himself with Magic Johnson-like ball handling skills and Julius "Dr...

 to Letran provided several close games in the 1980s which led to the birth of the rivalry.

In the 1980s, Letranites were notorious for yelling profanities at the San Sebastian players, and on one occasion, led to a rumble at Vito Cruz Avenue when at the last second, a power interruption occurred, causing confusion on what team won the championship. The rumbles between the two schools have become more frequent which solidified the intense rivalry between the two schools. Paul Alvarez would later play for the Pennsylvania Valley Dawgs of the United States Basketball League
United States Basketball League
The United States Basketball League , often abbreviated to the USBL, was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985. The final champions are the Kansas Cagerz, who won the title game on July 1, 2007.-History:...

.

The rivalry continued in the turn of the millennium when the Stags met the Knights in the finals twice. This led to several memorable games in which the Knights won the 1998 edition with a barrage of three pointers and free throws by Letran's Nicholas Pacheco with a few seconds remaining to win their 13th championship. The Knights also became the first 4th seed to upset the 1st seed in the Final Four when they defeated the Stags twice during the 1999 NCAA Final Four. That feat would soon be duplicated the following year when the 4th seed Stags upended top seed JRC Heavy Bombers in the 2000 NCAA Final Four. The Knights went on to win the 1999 NCAA championship. In the 2003 NCAA Finals, the Stags (defending champs) made a rally in the 4th quarter in the 3rd game of their series and kept Letran scoreless for almost 6 minutes that led them to take the lead but Boyet Bautista started the comeback by tying the game at 48-all and then his teammates Jonathan Piñera and Aaron Aban finished the game to win their 15th championship at the expense of the Stags. In 2004, they renewed their rivalry in the second round of eliminations wherein Letran denied Baste's Final 4 hopes and eventually broke their streak of Final Four appearances (since the inception of the final four format in 1998 San Sebastian is always in the Final Four) making it their worst performance in 6 years.

In 2009, Letran once again ended San Sebastian's 15 winning streak as they gave out the Stags' first loss of the season.and the Knights prevented the Golden Stags from sweeping the 18 game elimination round to qualify outright in the Finals

In 2010, Letran gave San Sebastian a scare as the Stags escaped the Knights with a one point lead.and The Stags put the Knights in the brink of elimination

In 2011, Letran once again ended the Stags' 15-game winning streak and gave its first loss of the season via overtime.

Letran - Mapúa

The "Battle of Intramuros," which is so named because the two schools are three blocks apart from each other in Intramuros
Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest district in the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila, the seat ot the government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin, intramuros,...

, is the name given to the Letran-Mapúa games. The Cardinals have had the mastery of the Knights in recent years. For eight consecutive years from 1998, Letran has failed to beat Mapúa in the eliminations rounds at least twice (either they will split the eliminations or Mapua will win twice), even though the Knights were more successful in the league.

The Knights were finally able to beat Mapúa in the first round of the 2005 tournament, but the Cardinals avenged that loss in the second round when they dealt the Knights with their first and only defeat of the season. Letran Knights were on their way on scoring a rare a 14-0 sweep of the elimination round when they were stopped by the Mapua Cardinals in their twelve game of eliminations Letran and Mapua would split their games in subsequent seasons.In 2009 Letran finally end its 2nd-round losing streak against Mapua and its 1st sweep against their Intramuros rivals in league history

Although the only instance where Letran and Mapúa met in the Finals was in the 1979 season where the Knights prevailed, the championship won by the Cardinals in 1981 (the games were suspended in the 1980 season due to the La Salle-Letran fracas) proved to be a spoiler once again as it denied Letran the bragging rights to the unprecedented honor of being the first ever NCAA team to win five consecutive seniors championships (Letran also won the 1982, 1983, and 1984 crowns), a feat that would later on be achieved by the San Sebastian Stags from 1993-97.

Saint Benilde - San Sebastian

This short lived rivalry sparked when the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde, who joined only in 1998, met San Sebastian College - Recoletos
San Sebastian College - Recoletos
San Sebastian College – Recoletos de Manila or commonly known by their nickname Bastê, is a Catholic institution of higher learning in the Philippines...

 (or simply Baste) in the finals of 2000, and 2002. CSB won in the Finals of 2000, bannered by what is dubbed as the best CSB Blazers team ever assembled. With 1999 NCAA Rookie of the Year and 2002 NCAA MVP Sunday Salvacion
Sunday Salvacion
Sunday Salvacion is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association currently playing for the Barako Bull Energy...

, Jondan Salvador, and 2000 NCAA Rookie of the Year Alejandro Magpayo leading the charge, the St. Benilde Blazers
St. Benilde Blazers
The Saint Benilde Blazers are the NCAA basketball team of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.The Blazers were formerly a member National Capital Region Athletic Association before they applied and were admitted to the NCAA in 1998...

 beat the formidable San Sebastian Stags
San Sebastian Stags
The San Sebastian Golden Stags are the National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball team of the San Sebastian College – Recoletos....

 and won their first NCAA seniors basketball championship title, despite joining the league a season earlier. This marks the fastest win for any new school in the league since the World War.

However, the Stags avenged their defeat and triumphed over CSB in the Finals of 2002, where they swept Blazers, 2-0. The Stags' Leomar Najorda was adjudged the 2002 NCAA Finals MVP.

Jose Rizal - San Sebastian

The rivalry started in 1972 where Jose Rizal was playing in the championship against new member San Sebastian. The Heavy Bombers was bannered by Philip Cezar
Philip Cezar
Philip "The Scholar" Cezar is a former Philippine Basketball Association basketball player. He was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub that won two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983. He won the Most Valuable Player award in 1980. He was also a many-time Philippine national team player in...

, David Cezar, Ed Carvajal, Jess Sta. Maria, Cris Calilan, Olimpio Santos, Jimmy Santos and Norberto Rivera. San Sebastian has their own superstar with the like of Dave Supnet. JRU (JRC then) captured the NCAA crown which up to this date is the last time Jose Rizal won a championship. Years later the two teams again figured in a mini rivalry, San Sebastian's Paul Alvarez and Jose Rizal's Vergel Meneses
Vergel Meneses
Vergel Meneses - nicknamed "The Aerial Voyager" - is a retired Filipino professional basketball player who last played for the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a former PBA Most Valuable Player and a many-time member of the Philippine National team...

 figured in a PABL Slam Dunk contest in 1987 in which Meneses won the contest. As contrasted with SSC-R's five consecutive championships in the 1990s, JRC continued to struggle and not until 1999 where the Heavy Bombers made it to the finals but lost to the defending champion Letran Knights.

In 2000, the Golden Stags and the Heavy Bombers met in the Final Four. JRC clinched the #1 seed while SSC-R got the 4th seed. The Stags defeated the Bombers twice to advance to the Finals against CSB. Thus, the Stags became the second (Letran did the trick on 1999 also against the Stags) 4th seed to upset the 1st seed in the Final Four. SSC-R and JRU also met in the 2001 Finals. JRU was bannered by Ariel Capus, season MVP Ernani Epondulan and Joel Finuliar while San Sebastian was led by Mark Macapagal
Mark Macapagal
Mark Macapagal is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing with the Meralco Bolts. He plays the shooting guard and small forward positions....

, Christian Coronel
Christian Coronel
Christian Coronel is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who most recently played for the Barako Energy Coffee Masters. He also played for the Sta...

 and Jam Alfad. JRU lost in the series, which included a 33-point blowout loss in the deciding Game 3. Coronel was named as the 2001 NCAA Finals MVP.

The rivalry continued during Final Four appearances of both schools from 2002 and 2003. Not until the 2007 NCAA season when San Sebastian's Final Four chances was denied by Jose Rizal via a 7-point winning margin in a come from behind victory. The Stags was ahead by 7 points against the Heavy Bombers 1:10 to go in regulation. Jose Rizal capitalized on the errors of San Sebastian and force an overtime to win the game. This allowed JRU to grab the #3 spot in the Final Four. JRU had another part in eliminating SSC-R in the 2008 season when they were tied for the #2 seed with two other teams; in the ensuing classification playoffs JRU and San Sebastian met in the first round to decide which team will figure in a playoff for the #2 seed; the Heavy Bombers won the game and relegated San Sebastian to the fourth-seed playoffs where they were eliminated.In 2009 San Sebastian and JRU renewed its rivalry once again in the Final Four were in the Golden Stags had a difficult situation against the Heavy Bombers due to Jimbo Aquino's Suspension in Game 1 because of a flagrant foul against San Beda for the #1 seed playoff The Stags were beaten by the Heavy Bombers 72-65 But in Game 2 of their semifinals series with Jimbo Aquino returning from a one-game suspension The Stags defeated The Heavy Bombers 79-64 with JRU's Head Coach Ariel Vanguardia was fired after their 2009 semifinals stint and the Stags enter the Finals for the first time since 2003 when the Stags loses against the Letran Knights in 3 games.The Stags and the 4-peat seeking Red Lions face each other in the 2009 Finals this time the Stags had its vengeance on the Red Lions via sweep The Stags' Jimbo Aquino was named the 2009 NCAA Finals MVP.and ending San Beda's dynasty San Sebastian Bag it's First Crown since 2002 when they sweep the St. Benilde Blazers.In 2010 San Sebastian and JRU once again met in the play-offs for the 3rd consecutive year and 2nd in the semifinals with San Beda sweeps the 16 game elimination round JRU and Mapua figure it out for the first round of the stepladder semifinals in which JRU won 60-54 The Heavy Bombers advance to the next round against defending champions San Sebastian Stags.But in that Part III of San Sebastian-JRU.San Sebastian won the game 61-52 and completing a season series sweep against the Heavy Bombers(also in 2002 and 2003) and making it a 2nd consecutive finals appearance for the Golden Stags and faces last years' Finals tormentor and losing finalist San Beda Red Lions

Letran - San Beda

The rivalry started on October 28, 1950 when Letran and San Beda meet in the finals for the first time. Letran then was led by Lauro Mumar while San Beda was led by Carlos Loyzaga who eventually became legends of Philippine Basketball. During the second round of eliminations Letran is on the verge of sweeping the tournament to become eventual champions (the Final 4 format was not yet implemented), but San Beda spoiled it and beat them to arrange a championship showdown with the Knights. In the finals Letran got their sweet revenge as they beat San Beda to get their second title in the NCAA. The Letran team was called "Murder Inc." by the late Willie Hernandez because of their merciless brand of basketball, very unforgiving. After that historic match San Beda kept on winning many championships until the 70's while Letran ended the 70's with only six championships. During the 80's the NCAA has seen the downfall of the San Beda basketball program while Letran peaked and became a powerhouse team that will continue until the millennium decade.

With the exit of their fierce rivals, Ateneo for San Beda and La Salle for Letran, some say the rivalry has died down because of their heaven and earth situation not until in 2006 when the Lions won their 12th championship after 28 years. During that same year San Beda won twice against Letran and denied the Knights to gain a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

On 2007, San Beda and Letran played for the championship for the second time and was dubbed "The Dream Finals" because it featured two NCAA teams who have very rich basketball history and tradition and in this series, San Beda has a championship score to settle with Letran (to avenge their defeat in the finals 57 years ago). The Red Lions eventually swept the Knights, 2-0. San Beda's Rogemar Menor was named as the 2007 NCAA Finals MVP. Right now they are the most anticipated games in the NCAA which led to bringing the games at the Araneta Coliseum. They are also compared to UAAP's Ateneo-La Salle where in some columnists say it is the "icing in the cake" of today's NCAA.

NCAA championships

  • General Championship
  • Badminton
    NCAA Badminton Championship (Philippines)
    The NCAA badminton championship is a demonstration sport that was introduced in its 2009-10 season. No tournament was held in season 87.-NCAA Badminton Champions:-Number of Championships by School:-External Links:*...

     (Demonstration)
  • Basketball - list of champions
  • Beach volleyball
  • Cheerleading

  • Chess
  • Soccer
  • Lawn tennis
  • Soft Tennis
    NCAA Soft Tennis Championship (Philippines)
    The NCAA soft tennis championship is a demonstration sport that was introduced in its 2009-10 season. No tournament was held in season 87. This is exclusive to women.-NCAA Sof Tennis Champions:-Number of Championships by School:-External Links:*...

     (Demonstration)
  • Softball (Discontinued)

  • Swimming
  • Table tennis
  • Taekwondo
  • Track and field
  • Volleyball


See also

  • International University Sports Federation
    International University Sports Federation
    The Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire , based in Brussels, Belgium is responsible for the organisation and governance of worldwide competitions for student-athletes between the ages of 17 and 28...

  • List of NCAA Philippines seasons
  • National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) South
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (Philippines) South
    The National Collegiate Athletic Association - South is an athletic association of colleges and universities mostly coming from NCR and CALABARZON regions of the Philippines. It was established on 1999 by sister schools of the NCAA....

  • Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association
    Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association
    The Women's National Collegiate Athletic Association is an athletic association in the Philippines exclusively for women. It was founded in 1970. Competition is divided into three divisions: Seniors for college students, Juniors for high school students, and Midgets for grade school and first year...


Other references

  • The GUIDON, Ateneo de Manila University
  • Aegis, Ateneo de Manila University
  • The Perpetualite, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA
  • NCAA souvenir program

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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