The UCAL basketball championship is the basketball championship of the Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL). It was first established as the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) in 2016, with its inaugural season opening on October 8 of that year.[1][2]
| Most recent season or competition: UCAL Season 6 men's basketball tournament | |
| Sport | Basketball |
|---|---|
| Founded | October 8, 2016 |
| First season | 2016 |
| Director | Bernard Yang, Carmelo Navarro, Willy Chan |
| Commissioner | Horacio Lim |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Most recent champion(s) | CEU |
| TV partner(s) | Smart Sports |
In 2024, the UCBL would become the basis of the UCAL when it became a fully-fledged collegiate association. The UCBL now operates as the UCAL's basketball championship.[3]
Background
editThe UCBL was established in 2016 by Universities and Colleges Athletic League, Inc. under president Franklin Evidente. The league put a focus on television coverage with the aim of giving its member institutions more exposure. The league also put officiating as another focal point, by implementing a stricter system.[1] In Season 6, following the formation of the UCAL, the UCBL name was retired and is now referred to as the UCAL basketball championship.[3]
List of champions
editThe CEU Scorpions have the most championships out of all member schools with three while the Diliman Blue Dragons have the second-most with two. The San Lorenzo Griffins are the only other team to win a championship.
| Season (Year) | Champion | Runner-up | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2016–17) | CEU Scorpions | Olivarez Sea Lions | [4] |
| 2 (2017–18) | San Lorenzo Griffins | CEU Scorpions | [5] |
| 3 (2018–19) | Diliman Blue Dragons | Olivarez Sea Lions | [6] |
| 4 (2019–20) | Diliman Blue Dragons | Olivarez Sea Lions | [7] |
| 5 (2022–23) | CEU Scorpions | Olivarez Sea Lions | [8] |
| 6 (2023–24) | CEU Scorpions | Diliman Blue Dragons | [9] |
| 7 (2024–25) | [to be determined] | ||
Venues and media coverage
editAll games are held at the Paco Arena in Manila every Monday and Thursday, with the live telecast of the games are aired on Smart Sports through livestreaming coverage provided by Smart Communications.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "New league offers televised games, better officiating". The Philippine Star. September 19, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ Terrado, Reuben (October 3, 2016). "UCBL puts seven schools on spotlight as inaugural basketball season gets going". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
- ^ a b "UCAL opens Season 6 with two new members". BusinessWorld Online. January 15, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ Terrado, Reuben (December 8, 2016). "CEU Scorpions sweep Olivarez Sea Lions to claim title in inaugural UCBL tournament". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ "San Lorenzo Griffins sweep CEU Scorpions to clinch UCBL crown". Spin.ph. November 27, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ "Diliman College captures UCBL crown". ESPN.com. December 10, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ "Diliman Dragons repeat as UCBL champs with finals comeback vs Olivarez". Spin.ph. November 14, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ "CEU completes 14-game sweep of UCBL 5". Tiebreaker Times. February 2, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ^ "CEU sweeps Diliman to retain UCAL title". Philstar.com. March 18, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.