UAAP Season 78 basketball tournaments

The UAAP Season 78 basketball tournaments are held in school year 2015–16. University of the Philippines Diliman is the season host. The basketball tournaments started with a doubleheader basketball games after the opening ceremonies on September 5, 2015, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and ended on December 2, 2015, at the Mall of Asia Arena, while the junior's basketball has currently been held since November. ABS-CBN's UHF channel ABS-CBN Sports and Action broadcast the men's tournament for the sixteenth consecutive year.

UAAP Season 78

Host school	University of the Philippines Diliman
Men's Finals G1 G2 G3 Wins  UST Growling Tigers 64 62 62 1  FEU Tamaraws 75 56 67 2
Duration	November 25 – December 2, 2015
Arena(s)	Smart Araneta Coliseum Mall of Asia Arena
Finals MVP	Mac Belo
Winning coach	Nash Racela (1st title)
Semifinalists	Ateneo Blue Eagles  NU Bulldogs
TV network(s)	ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN HD, ABS-CBN Sports and Action, The Filipino Channel, Balls, Balls HD
Women's Finals G1 G2 Wins  NU Lady Bulldogs 91 75 2+1  Ateneo Lady Eagles 59 55 0
Duration	December 2–6, 2015
Arena(s)	Mall of Asia Arena Blue Eagle Gym
Finals MVP	Afril Bernardino
Winning coach	Patrick Aquino (2nd title)
Semifinalists	De La Salle Lady Archers  Ateneo Lady Eagles
Juniors' Finals G1 G2 G3 Wins  NUNS Bullpups 78 60 96 2+1  DLSZ Junior Archers 58 71 75 1
Duration	February 19 – March 4, 2016
Arena(s)	Filoil Flying V Arena
Finals MVP	Justine Baltazar
Winning coach	Jeff Napa (3rd title)
Semifinalists	Ateneo Blue Eaglets  FEU–D Baby Tamaraws
TV network(s)	ABS-CBN Sports and Action
< Season 77 2015–16 Season 79 >

Men's tournament

Teams

Team	University	Coach
Adamson Soaring Falcons	Adamson University (AdU)	Mike Fermin
Ateneo Blue Eagles	Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU)	Bo Perasol
De La Salle Green Archers	De La Salle University (DLSU)	Juno Sauler
FEU Tamaraws	Far Eastern University (FEU)	Nash Racela
NU Bulldogs	National University (NU)	Eric Altamirano
UE Red Warriors	University of the East (UE)	Derrick Pumaren
UP Fighting Maroons	University of the Philippines Diliman (UP)	Rensy Bajar
UST Growling Tigers	University of Santo Tomas (UST)	Bong dela Cruz

Coaching changes

Team	Old coach	Reason	New coach
UP	Rey Madrid	Fired	Renzy Bajar
Adamson[1]	Kenneth Duremdes	Fired	Mike Fermin

Elimination round

Team standings

Pos	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	Qualification
1	UST Growling Tigers	11	3	.786[a]	—	Twice-to-beat in the semifinals
2	FEU Tamaraws	11	3	.786[a]	—
3	Ateneo Blue Eagles	9	5	.643	2	Twice-to-win in the semifinals
4	NU Bulldogs	7	7	.500	4
5	De La Salle Green Archers	6	8	.429[b]	5
6	UE Red Warriors	6	8	.429[b]	5
7	UP Fighting Maroons (H)	3	11	.214[c]	8
8	Adamson Soaring Falcons	3	11	.214[c]	8

Source: ABS-CBN Sports
Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) if tied for #2 or #4, one-game playoff; 3) head-to-head record; 4) head-to-head point differential; 5) overall point differential
(H) Hosts
Notes:

1. Head-to-head record: UST 2–0 FEU
2. Head-to-head record: La Salle 2–0 UE
3. Head-to-head record: UP 1–1 Adamson (UP 0, Adamson 0); overall point differential: UP –91, Adamson –128

Match-up results

	Round 1							Round 2
Team ╲ Game	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
Adamson
Ateneo
La Salle
FEU
NU
UE
UP
UST

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
  = Win;   = OT win;   = Loss;   = OT loss

Scores

Team	AdU	ADMU	DLSU	FEU	NU	UE	UP	UST
Adamson Soaring Falcons		60–84	71–88	60–64	54–75	78–89	73–68	64–70
Ateneo Blue Eagles	87–72		76–80	64–88	74–70**	77–72	56–43	58–68
De La Salle Green Archers	74–75	62–73		75–93	67–63	71–64	66–71	61–77
FEU Tamaraws	82–69	66–61	71–68		61–59	92–81	75–58	71–72
NU Bulldogs	85–79*	59–68	81–73	70–68		71–76	68–52	55–54
UE Red Warriors	71–74	74–69	64–72	67–71	52–47		55–62	76–83
UP Fighting Maroons	89–84	65–74	68–72	57–68	69–75	67–79		59–67
UST Growling Tigers	78–63	74–80	81–79	85–76	65–57	77–91	83–76

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
Legend: Blue = left column team win; Red = top row team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Bracket

	Semifinals (Nos. 1 & 2 have twice-to-beat advantage)					Finals (Best-of-three series)
	1	UST	64
	4	NU	55
						1	UST	64	62	62
						2	FEU	75	56	67
	2	FEU	76
	3	Ateneo	74

Semifinals

In the semifinals, the higher seed has the twice-to-beat advantage, where they only have to win once, while their opponents twice, to progress.

(1) UST vs. (4) NU

The UST Growling Tigers had the twice-to-beat advantage.

ABS-CBN Sports and Action

November 22 3:30 p.m.

Boxscore

UST Growling Tigers	64–55	NU Bulldogs
Scoring by quarter: 15–12, 15–8, 14–12, 20–23
Pts: Louie Vigil 19 Rebs: Louie Vigil 10 Asts: Louie Vigil 7		Pts: Pao Javelona 17 Rebs: Alfred Aroga 15 Asts: Alolino, Alejandro 2 each
UST wins series in one game

Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

(2) FEU vs. (3) Ateneo

The FEU Tamaraws had the twice-to-beat advantage.

ABS-CBN Sports and Action

November 21 3:30 p.m.

Boxscore

FEU Tamaraws	76–74	Ateneo Blue Eagles
Scoring by quarter: 19–12, 19–20, 18–18, 20–24
Pts: Roger Pogoy 16 Rebs: Mac Belo 9 Asts: Tolomia, Ru. Escoto 2 each		Pts: Kiefer Ravena 25 Rebs: Pessumal, Ikeh 6 each Asts: Ravena, Pingoy 2 each
FEU wins series in one game

Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Finals

This is the first Finals matchup between the FEU Tamaraws and the UST Growling Tigers in 36 years. The last time these two teams faced each other in the Finals was in UAAP Season 42. This is also, as of 2025, the last UAAP Finals series to not feature either or both Ateneo and La Salle men's basketball teams.

ABS-CBN Sports and Action

November 25 3:30 p.m.

Boxscore

UST Growling Tigers	64–75	FEU Tamaraws
Scoring by quarter: 24–28, 10–19, 17–10, 13–18
Pts: Karim Abdul 19 Rebs: Karim Abdul 9 Asts: 5 players 1 each		Pts: Roger Pogoy 15 Rebs: Mac Belo 13 Asts: Pogoy, Inigo, 3 each

Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

ABS-CBN

November 28 3:30 p.m.

Boxscore

UST Growling Tigers	62–56	FEU Tamaraws
Scoring by quarter: 13–20, 8–10, 26–11, 15–15
Pts: Kevin Ferrer 29 Rebs: Kevin Ferrer 10 Asts: Ed Daquioag 4		Pts: Mac Belo 16 Rebs: Mac Belo 11 Asts: Mike Tolomia 6

Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City Attendance: 21,933

ABS-CBN Sports and Action

December 2 3:30 p.m.

UST Growling Tigers	62–67	FEU Tamaraws
Scoring by quarter: 19–18, 11–12, 16–21, 16–16
Pts: Ed Daquioag 21 Rebs: Louie Vigil 7 Asts: 3 players, 2 each		Pts: Mac Belo 23 Rebs: Belo, Ru. Escoto, 8 each Asts: Mike Tolomia 3
FEU wins series 2–1

Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay Attendance: 23,124

• Finals Most Valuable Player: Mac Belo (FEU Tamaraws)

Broadcast notes

ABS-CBN Sports is the official broadcaster of the UAAP Season 78 Men's Basketball Finals. Simulcast over ABS-CBN Channel 2 and ABS-CBN HD Channel 167 (Game 2 only), ABS-CBN Sports and Action, Balls HD channel 195, The Filipino Channel. Livestream over TFC.tv, sports.abs-cbn.com and IWant TV. Replays on Balls. This is the first time in the finals of the game 2 series to broadcast in both ABS-CBN Channel 2 and ABS-CBN Sports and Action.

Game	Play-by-play	Analyst	Courtside Reporters	Upfront at the UAAP Hosts
Game 1	Boom Gonzales	TJ Manotoc	Angelique Manto and Ganiel Krishnan	Janeena Chan and Nathasha Alquiros
Game 2	TJ Manotoc	Marco Benitez	Angelique Manto and Ganiel Krishnan	No Upfront at the UAAP
Game 3	Mico Halili	TJ Manotoc	Angelique Manto and Ganiel Krishnan	Janeena Chan, Nathasha Alquiros and Bea Daez

Additional Game 2 crew:

• Awards Presenter: Nikko Ramos

Additional Game 3 crew:

• Awards Presenter: TJ Manotoc

Awards

UAAP Season 78 men's basketball champions
FEU Tamaraws 20th title

• Most Valuable Player: Kiefer Ravena (Ateneo Blue Eagles)
• Rookie of the Year: Joshua Andrei Caracut (De La Salle Green Archers)
• Mythical Team:
  • Kiefer Ravena (Ateneo Blue Eagles)
  • Jeron Teng (De La Salle Green Archers)
  • Alfred Aroga (NU Bulldogs)
  • Ed Daquioag (UST Growling Tigers)
  • Kevin Ferrer (UST Growling Tigers)

Sponsored awards

• Bear Brand Adult Plus Level Up Player: Kevin Ferrer (UST Growling Tigers)
• Jolibee Beeda ang Galing Player: Jeron Teng (De La Salle Green Archers)
• Master Gwapo Player: Kiefer Ravena (Ateneo Blue Eagles)
• Appeton Most Improved Player: Ed Daquioag (UST Growling Tigers)
• PS Bank PSBankable Player: Mac Belo (FEU Tamaraws)
• Team Bonchon of the Year: FEU Tamaraws

Discipline

• Mike Fermin of the Adamson Falcons was suspended on their game against the NU Bulldogs, last September 23, after he was ejected during their game against La Salle due to a slit-throat gesture.

Women's tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Pos	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	Qualification
1	NU Lady Bulldogs	14	0	1.000	—	Thrice-to-beat in the Finals[a]
2	De La Salle Lady Archers	12	2	.857	2	Twice-to-beat in stepladder round 2
3	UE Lady Warriors	7	7	.500	7	Proceed to stepladder round 1
4	Ateneo Lady Eagles	6	8	.429[b]	8
5	UST Tigresses	6	8	.429[b]	8
6	Adamson Lady Falcons	4	10	.286[c]	10
7	UP Fighting Maroons (H)	4	10	.286[c]	10
8	FEU Lady Tamaraws	3	11	.214	11

Source: ABS-CBN Sports
Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) if tied for #2 or #4, one-game playoff; 3) head-to-head record; 4) head-to-head point differential; 5) overall point differential
(H) Hosts
Notes:

1. As NU won all of their elimination round games, the stepladder format will be used instead of the regular Final Four format.
2. Fourth-seed playoff: Ateneo 64–53 UST (OT)
3. Head-to-head record: Adamson 1–1 UP (Adamson +2)

Match-up results

	Round 1							Round 2
Team ╲ Game	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
Adamson
Ateneo
La Salle
FEU
NU
UE
UP
UST

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
  = Win;   = OT win;   = Loss;   = OT loss

Scores

Team	AdU	ADMU	DLSU	FEU	NU	UE	UP	UST
Adamson Lady Falcons		39–49	57–75	69–64*	62–76	57–49	62–53	67–70
Ateneo Lady Eagles	55–41		43–44	48–46	36–70	29–43	56–43	48–57
De La Salle Lady Archers	78–62	63–58		54–45	78–90	63–59	76–34	67–56
FEU Lady Tamaraws	48–39	51–60	43–54		43–86	38–54	46–38	58–65
NU Lady Bulldogs	75–49	70–43	81–74	71–57		66–63	80–44	71–45
UE Lady Warriors	67–43	62–66	70–73*	44–41	40–80		56–51	75–65*
UP Lady Maroons	46–39	42–41	53–78	52–54	39–87	46–45		52–58
UST Tigresses	71–75	67–53	63–70	68–53	60–85	53–68	59–61

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
Legend: Blue = left column team win; Red = top row team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.

Fourth–seed playoff

November 18

UST Tigresses	53–64 (OT)	Ateneo Lady Eagles
Scoring by quarter: 5–12, 10–19, 19–9, 16–10, Overtime: 3–14
Pts: Bettina Peñaflor 18 Rebs: Misaela Larosa 18 Asts: Candice Magdaluyo 3		Pts: Hazelle Yam 26 Rebs: Danica Jose 19 Asts: Likhang Javier 7
Ateneo enters the Final Four

Blue Eagle Gym, Quezon City

Bracket

	Stepladder round 1 (Single-elimination)					Stepladder round 2 (No. 2 has twice-to-beat advantage)						Finals (No. 1 has thrice-to-beat advantage)
												1	NU	91	75
						2	La Salle	53	50			4	Ateneo	59	55
	3	UE	62			4	Ateneo	55	62
	4	Ateneo	65

Stepladder semifinals

(3) UE vs. (4) Ateneo

This is a single-elimination game.

November 22 10:00 am

UE Lady Warriors	62–65	Ateneo Lady Eagles
Scoring by quarter: 16–21, 13–14, 21–18, 12–12
Pts: Ruthlaine Tacula 17 Rebs: Eunique Chan 19 Asts: Ruthlaine Tacula 2		Pts: Jose, Yam, 17 each Rebs: Caramia Buendia 9 Asts: Danica Jose 4
Ateneo advances to the stepladder semifinals round 2

Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

(2) La Salle vs. (4) Ateneo

La Salle has the twice-to-beat advantage, where they only have to win once, while their opponents twice, to progress.

November 25 10:00 a.m.

De La Salle Lady Archers	53–55	Ateneo Lady Eagles
Scoring by quarter: 16–11, 20–14, 8–22, 9–8
Pts: Snow Peñaranda 12 Rebs: Ara Abaca 15 Asts: Ara Abaca 4		Pts: Hazelle Yam 19 Rebs: Danica Jose 19 Asts: Likhang Javier 5

Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

November 28 10:00 a.m.

De La Salle Lady Archers	50–62	Ateneo Lady Eagles
Scoring by quarter: 12–15, 12–11, 14–12, 12–24
Pts: Camille Claro 13 Rebs: Ara Abaca 9 Asts: Abaca, Claro, 2 each		Pts: Hazelle Yam 15 Rebs: Danica Jose 11 Asts: Danica Jose 4
Ateneo win series in two games

Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City

Finals

NU has to win two times, while their opponent has to win three times.

December 2 10:00 am

NU Lady Bulldogs	91–59	Ateneo Lady Eagles
Scoring by quarter: 21–10, 22–10, 22–16, 26–23
Pts: Afril Bernardino 17 Rebs: Afril Bernardino 18 Asts: Andrea Tongco 7		Pts: Katrina Guytingco 14 Rebs: Danica Jose 10 Asts: Yam, Javier, 4 each

Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay

December 6 3:30 pm

NU Lady Bulldogs	75–55	Ateneo Lady Eagles
Scoring by quarter: 10–6, 30–15, 20–13, 15–21
Pts: Afril Bernardino 18 Rebs: Afril Bernardino 17 Asts: Shelley Gupilan 7		Pts: Jolina Go 19 Rebs: Danica Jose 10 Asts: Likhang Javier 6
NU wins series in two games

Blue Eagle Gym, Quezon City

• Finals Most Valuable Player: Afril Bernardino (NU Lady Bulldogs)

Awards

UAAP Season 78 women's basketball champions
NU Lady Bulldogs Second title, second consecutive title

• Most Valuable Player: Afril Bernardino (NU Lady Bulldogs)
• Rookie of the Year: Jack Danielle Animam (NU Lady Bulldogs)
• Mythical Team:
  • Danica Therese Jose (Ateneo Lady Eagles)
  • Ara Abaca (De La Salle Lady Archers)
  • Afril Bernardino (NU Lady Bulldogs)
  • Cherry Ano-os (UE Lady Warriors)
  • Maica Cortes (UST Tigresses)

Juniors' tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Pos	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	Qualification
1	NUNS Bullpups	14	0	1.000	—	Thrice-to-beat in the Finals[a]
2	DLSZ Junior Archers	11	3	.786	3	Twice-to-beat in stepladder round 2
3	Ateneo Blue Eaglets	10	4	.714	4	Proceed to stepladder round 1
4	FEU–D Baby Tamaraws	8	6	.571	6
5	Adamson Baby Falcons	7	7	.500	7
6	UPIS Junior Maroons (H)	3	11	.214[b]	11
7	UST Tiger Cubs	3	11	.214[b]	11
8	UE Junior Warriors	0	14	.000	14

Source: ABS-CBN Sports
Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) if tied for #2 or #4, one-game playoff; 3) head-to-head record; 4) head-to-head point differential; 5) overall point differential
(H) Hosts
Notes:

1. As NU won all of their elimination round games, the stepladder format will be used instead of the regular Final Four format.
2. Head-to-head record: UP 1–1 UST (UP +13)

Match-up results

	Round 1							Round 2
Team ╲ Game	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
Adamson
Ateneo
DLSZ
FEU
NSNU
UE
UPIS
UST

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
  = Win;   = OT win;   = Win by forfeit;   = Loss;   = OT loss;   = Loss by forfeit

Scores

Team	AdU	ADMU	DLSZ	FEU	NSNU	UE	UPIS	UST
Adamson Baby Falcons		55–71	79–66	49–51	55–61	83–52	76–65	76–45
Ateneo Blue Eaglets	82–73		71–84	85–66	60–73	91–51	74–67	79–56
Zobel Junior Archers	47–35	80–73		67–55	53–68	107–79	72–61	96–43
FEU-FERN Baby Tamaraws	60–55	53–78	58–78		56–70	–	58–52	61–40
NSNU Bullpups	68–66	81–69	80–57	67–53		89–33	77–65	80–54
UE Junior Warriors	26–80	58–96	64–110	79–93	60–94		69–104	73–77
UP Junior Maroons	61–66	67–75	74–85	71–81	54–70	99–79		0–2[a]
UST Tiger Cubs	63–77	57–80	52–78	66–86	58–82	95–94	71–82

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
Legend: Blue = left column team win; Red = top row team win.
Matches with lighter background shading were decided after overtime.
Notes:

1. Loss by default

Bracket

	Stepladder round 1 (Single-elimination)					Stepladder round 2 (No. 2 has twice-to-beat advantage)					Finals (No. 1 has thrice-to-beat advantage)
											1	NSNU	78	60	96
						2	DLSZ	75			2	DLSZ	58	71	75
	3	Ateneo	84			3	Ateneo	68
	4	FEU–Diliman	68

Stepladder semifinals

(3) Ateneo vs. (4) FEU Diliman

February 10, 2016 4:00 p.m.

Report 1

Ateneo Blue Eaglets	84–68	FEU–D Baby Tamaraws
Scoring by quarter: 20–14, 15–14, 28–19, 21–21
Pts: Sam Belangel 15 Rebs: Justin Eustaquio 9 Asts: Sam Belangel 8		Pts: Kenji Roman 21 Rebs: Kenji Roman 13 Asts: Gloria, Gonzales, 4 each
Ateneo advances to the stepladder semifinals round 2

Filoil Flying V Arena

(2) DLSZ vs. (3) Ateneo

In the semifinals, La Salle has the twice-to-beat advantage, where they only have to win once, while their opponents twice, to progress.

February 15, 2016 4:00 p.m.

DLSZ Junior Archers	75–68	Ateneo Blue Eaglets
Scoring by quarter: 15–12, 15–16, 24–14, 21–26
Pts: Brent Paraiso 15 Rebs: Brent Paraiso 13 Asts: Miguel Fortuna 5		Pts: Mamuyac, Andrade, 16 each Rebs: Shaun Ildefonso 18 Asts: Sam Belangel 4
La Salle wins series in one game

Filoil Flying V Arena

Finals

NU has to win two times, while their opponent has to win three times. The finals series will be aired on ABS-CBN Sports and Action Channel 23 and HD Channel 166.

ABS-CBN Sports and Action

February 19 2:00 p.m.

NUNS Bullpups	78–58	DLSZ Junior Archers
Scoring by quarter: 22–13, 18–9, 22–17, 16–19
Pts: John Lloyd Clemente 16 Rebs: Justine Baltazar 27 Asts: Paul Manalang 4		Pts: Aljun Melecio 15 Rebs: Marco Sario 8 Asts: Aljun Melecio 6

Filoil Flying V Arena

ABS-CBN Sports and Action

February 26 2:00 p.m.

NUNS Bullpups	60–71	DLSZ Junior Archers
Scoring by quarter: 17–14, 13–16, 21–27, 9–14
Pts: John Lloyd Clemente 25 Rebs: Justine Baltazar 20 Asts: Atienza, Manalang, 4 each		Pts: Marco Sario 16 Rebs: MR Romero 10 Asts: Aljun Melecio 9

Filoil Flying V Arena

ABS-CBN Sports and Action

March 4 2:00 p.m.

NUNS Bullpups	96–75	DLSZ Junior Archers
Scoring by quarter: 22–9, 26–28, 31–15, 17–23
Pts: Winderlich Coyoca 20 Rebs: John Lloyd Clemente 15 Asts: 3 players, 4 each		Pts: Aljun Melecio 22 Rebs: MR Romero 8 Asts: Aljun Melecio 6
NU wins series in three games

Filoil Flying V Arena

• Finals Most Valuable Player: Justine Baltazar (NUNS Bullpups)

Awards

UAAP Season 78 juniors' basketball champions
NUNS Bullpups Sixth title

• Most Valuable Player: Aljun Melecio (DLSZ Junior Archers)
• Rookie of the Year: Carl Tamayo (Adamson Baby Falcons)
• Mythical Five:
  • Aljun Melecio (DLSZ Junior Archers)
  • Justine Baltazar (NUNS Bullpups)
  • John Lloyd Clemente (NUNS Bullpups)
  • Javi Gómez de Liaño (UPIS Junior Maroons)
  • Juan Gómez de Liaño (UPIS Junior Maroons)

Overall Championship points

Seniors' division Team Men Women Total  NU Bulldogs 8 15 23  Ateneo Blue Eagles 10 12 22  UST Growling Tigers 12 6 18  De La Salle Green Archers 6 10 16  FEU Tamaraws 15 1 16  UE Red Warriors 4 8 12  Adamson Soaring Falcons 1 4 5  UP Fighting Maroons 2 2 4

Pts. Ranking 15 Champion 12 2nd 10 3rd 8 4th 6 5th 4 6th 2 7th 1 8th — Did not join WD Withdrew

In case of a tie, the team with the higher position in any tournament is ranked higher. If both are still tied, they are listed by alphabetical order.

How rankings are determined:

• Ranks 5th to 8th determined by elimination round standings.
• Loser of the #1 vs #4 semifinal match-up is ranked 4th
• Loser of the #2 vs #3 semifinal match-up is ranked 3rd
• Loser of the finals is ranked 2nd
• Champion is ranked 1st

See also

• NCAA Season 91 basketball tournaments