It was first established as the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) in 2016, with its inaugural season opening on October 8 of that year.

[3] The UCBL was established in 2016 by Universities and Colleges Athletic League, Inc. under president Franklin Evidente.

The league put a focus on television coverage with the aim of giving its member institutions more exposure.

The league also put officiating as another focal point, by implementing a stricter system.

[3] The CEU Scorpions have the most championships out of all member schools with three while the Diliman Blue Dragons have the second-most with two.