All eight universities participate in the men's, women's, and high school (boys') tournaments.
The UAAP basketball sport has a rich history of schools establishing dynasties.
UE won a record seven consecutive basketball titles from 1965 to 1971 albeit the third one was a shared championship with UST.
Teams play a double round robin in a split season format.
The top two teams (over-all record) after the double round robin play in the Finals with the No.
If a team sweeps the double round robin, they are automatically declared champions.
Previously, if a team sweeps the double round robin, they are automatically declared champions.
The format was modified in 2016, where the unbeaten team proceeds to the best-of-3 finals without any playoff advantage, but the knockout games in all of the three semifinal seeds remain in place.
[1] Notes * Does not include 6 seasons (1997–98, 1999–2000, 2006–07, 2010–11, 2014–15 and 2017–18) where Ateneo swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.
^ Does not include 2 seasons (2013–14 and 2015–16) where NU swept the elimination round and automatically advanced to the Finals.
Prior to 2005, all players playing in their first year (including transfers and those elevated from "team B") are eligible for the award.
Similarly, in the same season, adjustments were also implemented in the high school division where only those aged 17 and below will be eligible for the same award.