University Athletic Association of the Philippines

It can be said that the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, also known as UAAP, originated from another athletic organization known as the National Collegiate Athletic Association or NCAA. The latter was formed due to the need to set athletic standards and policies. NCAA was jump started by Dr. Regino Ylanan of the University of the Philippines, who was then the Physical Education Director of the said university. Invitations were given out to several private schools to organize an athletic organization. The University of Santo Thomas (UST), Manila University, National University (NU), De La Salle College, Ateneo de Manila University, and the Institute of Accounts (now the Far Eastern University) were the universities that responded to the invitation to form the sports association. After being created, the association provided the venues for the sports activities held by its members. The universities mostly dominated these sports events and activities because of their large student populations.

Prof. Candido C. Bartolome requested for the universities, namely NU, UP and UST, to conduct a triangular meet. The NCAA board of directors approved of this before the start of the 1930-1931 NCAA Season. This was on the condition that the NCAA events would have priority regarding the use of the sports facilities. The Directors of Physical Education of these three universities, known as the Big 3, practiced holding games on a home to home format. After 6 years, a new athletic association was instituted by the representatives of the Big 3, together with the Far Eastern University.

Over the years of its existence, it has provided the student-athletes of these universities with opportunities to foster camaraderie and sportsmanship. Offering well conducted competitions for both girls and boys, most of the students are developed and enhanced to be the best in the country, some even join various national teams.

At present, the UAAP's university members are the Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University-Manila, Far Eastern University, National University, University of the East, University of the Philippines (Diliman), and the University of Santo Tomas.

These schools currently participate and compete in 15 sports. Basketball is said to be the most popular and most supported sport among the 15. All of the sports held have Men's and Women's division, with the exception of baseball for men only and softball for women. Only four of the members participate in all 15 sports. These are ADMU, DLSU, UP and UST.