Overview
NCAA Season 82 refers to the 2022–2023 athletic year of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the Philippines, the country’s second‑oldest collegiate sports league. The season is part of the league’s sequential numbering system, which began with its inaugural season in 1924. Season 82 comprised a full schedule of intercollegiate competitions across multiple sports, with the basketball tournament traditionally serving as the marquee event.
Host Institution and Opening Ceremony
The season was hosted by San Beda College (now San Beda University) in Manila. The opening ceremonies were held on 10 September 2022 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, featuring a parade of the league’s ten member schools, a formal handover of the season flag, and performances that highlighted the NCAA’s history and traditions.
Participating Member Schools
The ten regular member institutions that competed in Season 82 were:
- San Beda College
- Colegio de San Juan de Letran
- University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (Perpetual)
- José Rizal University (JRU)
- Mapúa University (formerly Mapúa Institute of Technology)
- College of Saint Benilde (CSB)
- Arellano University
- Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC)
- University of the Philippines (UP) – Junior Division (as a guest in certain events)
- Lyceum of the Philippines University (Lyceum) – Guest in selected tournaments
Sports Disciplines
Season 82 featured competition in a range of sports, including but not limited to:
- Basketball (men’s and juniors)
- Volleyball (men’s, women’s, and juniors)
- Table tennis
- Badminton
- Swimming
- Track and field
- Chess
- Taekwondo
Each sport followed a double‑round‑robin or pool‑play format, culminating in playoffs or finals to determine the season champions.
Men’s Basketball Tournament
The men’s basketball championship, the league’s most widely followed event, concluded on 13 November 2022. The San Beda Red Lions secured the title by defeating the Letran Knights in a best‑of‑three finals series (2‑1). This victory marked San Beda’s 23rd overall NCAA men’s basketball championship.
Women’s Volleyball Tournament
The women’s volleyball competition concluded with the San Beda Red Lionesses winning the championship, defeating the Letran Lady Knights in the finals.
Notable Achievements and Highlights
- The season continued the league’s post‑pandemic normalization, with full spectator attendance permitted under health‑safety guidelines.
- Several individual awards were presented, including the Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors for basketball (Juniors: Name; Seniors: Name) and volleyball (Seniors: Name).
- The season’s “NCAA 82” branding emphasized a “new era of competition,” featuring a logo that incorporated the number 82 with the league’s traditional shield motif.
Legacy
Season 82 is recorded as a continuation of the NCAA’s commitment to promoting collegiate athletics, academic excellence, and sportsmanship among Philippine higher‑education institutions. The championships and individual performances from this season contributed to the historical records of the member schools and served as a platform for athletes advancing to professional leagues and national team selection.