In the early years of the UAAP, the NU Bulldogs were a competitive team in the league, winning a title in 1954.
[1] The Bulldogs then produced players such as Narciso Bernardo and Jun Papa, but never came close to a repeat Finals appearance, until Reynaldo Sigua was acquired by NU.
[2] In the last quarter of year 2008, the family of Henry Sy of SM Prime Holdings acquired majority ownership of the National University.
[3] At the start of UAAP Season 77, the NU Bulldogs were predicted to lose some ground in the standings due to the losses of key players like former UAAP MVP Ray Parks and foreign student athlete Emmanuel Mbe, but was still expected to compete due to the emergence of players like Troy Rosario, Gelo Alolino and Glenn Khobuntin.
This marked the NU Bulldogs' first UAAP Men's basketball championship win in 60 years.