Universities and Colleges Athletic League
Current season, competition or edition: UCAL Season 7 | |
| Founded | 2016 (as UCBL) 2023 (as UCAL) |
|---|---|
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Venue(s) | Metro Manila and Calabarzon |
| TV partner(s) | Smart Sports |
The Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL) is an athelic association of ten universities and colleges across Metro Manila and Calabarzon in the Philippines. The UCAL dates back to 2016 when the organization established the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL). In 2023, it added volleyball and esports to the mix, with the UCBL's member schools forming the basis of the UCAL.
PG Flex Linoleum serve as the association's title sponsors, hence it is also referred to as the Universities and Colleges Athletic League–PG Flex Linoleum.[1]
History
[edit]Establishment
[edit]The UCAL organization as a whole began in 2016 under president Franklin Evidente, when it founded the UCBL, a basketball league which initially featured seven member institutions in its inaugural season. Those members were Bulacan State University (BulSU), Centro Escolar University (CEU), Colegio de San Lorenzo (CDSL), Diliman College (DC), Olivarez College (OC), Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP), and University of Batangas (UB).[2][3]
The league then expanded over its first few seasons with Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas (LPU–B) joining in 2017,[4] Philippine Christian University – Dasmariñas (PCU–D) and St. Joseph College of Bulacan (SJC) in 2018,[5] and the National College of Business and Arts (NCBA) in 2019. However, it also saw some institutions depart from the league as BulSU and CDSL departed in 2018 followed by SJC in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the league to temporarily go on hiatus before resuming with Season 5 in 2022. Guang Ming College (GMC) joined the league while NCBA and TIP didn't make a return in the resumption of play.[6]
Formation of the UCAL
[edit]As Season 6 approached, Manila Central University (MCU) and Philippine Women's University (PWU) joined as new league members, but the league itself would later undergo an evolution. The UCAL organization added volleyball and esports to go alongside the existing basketball competition, marking the first multi-sport season and the formation of the UCAL, with the UCBL becoming the UCAL's basketball championship.[1] For Season 7, it will add two more institutions in Immaculada Concepcion College (ICC) and WCC Aeronautical & Technological College (WCC) alongside a new streetdance competition. On the other hand, Guang Ming College will take a leave of absence.[7]
Member schools
[edit]The UCAL is currently composed of ten member schools. Seven of them are based in Metro Manila while three are based in Calabarzon.
|
Locations of member schools based in Metro Manila |
Locations of member schools based in Calabarzon |
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| School | Location | Founded | Nickname | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centro Escolar University | San Miguel, Manila | 1907 as Centro Escolar de Señoritas | Scorpions | 2016–present[2] |
| Diliman College | Diliman, Quezon City | 1998 as Diliman Computer Technology Institute | Blue Dragons | 2016–present[2] |
| Immaculada Concepcion College | Caloocan | 1984 | Blue Hawks | 2024–present[7] |
| Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas | Batangas City, Batangas | 1966 as Lyceum of Batangas | Pirates | 2017–present[4] |
| Manila Central University | Caloocan | 1904 as Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila | Supremos | 2023–present[1] |
| Olivarez College | Parañaque | 1976 as Olivarez School of Nursing | Sea Lions | 2016–present[2] |
| Philippine Christian University – Dasmariñas | Dasmariñas, Cavite | 1946 as Philippine Christian College | Dolphins | 2018–present[5] |
| Philippine Women's University | Malate, Manila | 1919 as Philippine Women's College | Patriots | 2023–present[1] |
| University of Batangas | Batangas City, Batangas | 1946 as Western Philippine Colleges | Brahmans | 2016–present[2] |
| WCC Aeronautical & Technological College | Caloocan | 2005 | Skyhawks | 2024–present[7] |
Former member schools
[edit]| School | Location | Founded | Nickname | Membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulacan State University | Malolos, Bulacan | 1904 as Bulacan Trade School | Gold Gears | 2016–2018 |
| Colegio de San Lorenzo | Project 8, Quezon City | 1987 (closed in 2022) | Griffins | 2016–2018 |
| Guang Ming College | Tagaytay, Cavite | 2014 | Flying Dragons | 2022–2024[6][7] |
| National College of Business and Arts | Cubao, Quezon City | 1967 | Wildcats | 2019–2020 |
| St. Joseph College of Bulacan | Santa Maria, Bulacan | 1996 | Taurus | 2018–2019 |
| Technological Institute of the Philippines | Quiapo, Manila | 1962 | Engineers | 2016–2020 |
Membership timeline
[edit]
List of championships
[edit]Basketball
[edit]Volleyball
[edit]The league first held its volleyball championship in Season 6 as one of two new additions that season.[1] It is divided into two divisions: men's and women's.
List of champions
[edit]| Season (Year) | Men's | Women's | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | Runner-up | Champion | Runner-up | ||
| 6 (2023–24) | PCU–D Dolphins | LPU–B Pirates | UB Lady Brahmans | LPU–B Lady Pirates | [8] |
| 7 (2024–25) | UB Brahmans | ICC Blue Hawks | ICC Lady Blue Hawks | UB Lady Brahmans | [9][10] |
Esports
[edit]Alongside volleyball, the league also first held its esports championship in Season 6. Currently, the only game contested in the esports championship is Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.[1] The men's division was first held in Season 6 while the women's division will be first held in Season 7.
List of champions
[edit]| Season (Year) | Men's | Women's | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | Runner-up | Champion | Runner-up | ||
| 6 (2023–24) | UB Brahmans | LPU–B Pirates | — | [11] | |
| 7 (2024–25) | [to be determined] | ||||
Streetdance
[edit]The league's streetdance competition will be first held in Season 7 as its opening event.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "UCAL opens Season 6 with two new members". BusinessWorld Online. January 15, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "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 "UCBL expands membership with entry of Lyceum-Batangas in time for new season". Spin.ph. August 27, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "Excitement brewing in UCBL as it opens season with new television partner". Spin.ph. July 28, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "UCBL: Guang Ming makes sensational debut, upsets Lyceum-Batangas". Tiebreaker Times. November 10, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "UCAL welcomes ICC, WCC as GMC takes leave". Tiebreaker Times. October 14, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ "PCU-Dasmariñas sweeps PG-Flex UCAL volleyball tourney; UB also reigns". Philstar.com. May 14, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
- ^ "UB bags UCAL men's volley crown". Daily Tribune. December 8, 2024. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "ICC pulls off thrilling comeback, claims UCAL women's volleyball title". Tiebreaker Times. December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ "University of Batangas is maiden UCAL esports champ". Spin.ph. June 19, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.