The Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL) is an athletic 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.
History
Establishment
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).
The league then expanded over its first few seasons with Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas (LPU–B) joining in 2017, Philippine Christian University – Dasmariñas (PCU–D) and St. Joseph College of Bulacan (SJC) in 2018, 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.
Formation of the UCAL 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. 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. Season 8 will see two more sports added to the calendar in badminton and table tennis, while WCC departed after one season.
Member schools The UCAL is currently composed of ten member schools. Seven of them are based in Metro Manila while three are based in Calabarzon.
School Location Founded Nickname Membership Centro Escolar University San Miguel, Manila 1907 as Centro Escolar de Señoritas Scorpions 2016–present Diliman College Diliman, Quezon City 1998 as Diliman Computer Technology Institute Blue Dragons 2016–present Immaculada Concepcion College Caloocan 1984 Blue Hawks 2024–present Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas Batangas City, Batangas 1966 as Lyceum of Batangas Pirates 2017–present Manila Central University Caloocan 1904 as Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila Supremos 2023–present Olivarez College Parañaque 1976 as Olivarez School of Nursing Sea Lions 2016–present Philippine Christian University – Dasmariñas Dasmariñas, Cavite 1946 as Philippine Christian College Dolphins 2018–present Philippine Women's University Malate, Manila 1919 as Philippine Women's College Patriots 2023–present University of Batangas Batangas City, Batangas 1946 as Western Philippine Colleges Brahmans 2016–present
Former member schools 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 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 WCC Aeronautical & Technological College Caloocan 2005 Skyhawks 2024–2025
Membership timeline
List of championships
Basketball
Volleyball The league first held its volleyball championship in Season 6 as one of two new additions that season. It is divided into two divisions: men's and women's.
List of champions 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 7 (2024–25) UB Brahmans ICC Blue Hawks ICC Lady Blue Hawks UB Lady Brahmans Esports 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. 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 Season (Year) Men's Women's Ref. Champion Runner-up Champion Runner-up 6 (2023–24) UB Brahmans LPU–B Pirates colspan=2 7 (2024–25)
Streetdance The league's streetdance competition was first held in Season 7 as its opening event.
Badminton The league's badminton championship will be first held in Season 8.
Table tennis The league's table tennis championship will be first held in Season 8.
References