LEAPFROG - PINOYLIGA THE BIG DANCE 2026

This week's biggest story is simple. There is a new sheriff in town.

After landing in sixth place last week, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers made a significant leap to become the number 1 collegiate team in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Basketball Power Rankings this week by winning the NSAC basketball title and moving up five spots.

The Espana-based dribblers finished the week with 3 wins and 1 loss, including a big win in the NSAC finals against last week's top team, the National University Bulldogs.

The Growling Tigers were able to complete the jump after going against top teams in NU, San Beda Red Lions, and La Salle Green Archers in NSAC and UBelt Cup. Their only loss this week came against the rising Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.

Leading the charge for the Tigers are Collins Akowe, Gelo Crisostomo, Amiel Acido, and Finals MVP Mark Llemit.

ONE-WEEK REIGN TOPPLED

NU's tenure in the top spot did not last for long as it fell to 2nd spot despite a good performance. They finished with a 2-2 win-loss record this week. Their losses were to UST and Emilio Aguinaldo Generals in the UBelt Cup.

Despite this, NU just proved that it remains one of the feared teams in collegiate basketball this year, even if some of its key players from last season have graduated.

TOUGH AS NAILS.

The La Salle Green Archers, who finished 2nd runner-up in NSAC, remained in the 3rd slot in the rankings. They lost in a heartbreaker against UST in the semifinals but were able to bounce back in the battle for the 3rd place game against the former number 1 ranked San Beda.

Jacob Cortez, who has proven to everyone that he is the glue guy of the team, who is on his final playing year in college and expects that he will be much more active on the plays for Coach Topex Robinson this season.

BOMBS AWAY!

Another climber this week is the JRU Heavy Bombers, who went up a notch after entering the finals of the UBelt Cup, defeating UST.

Coach Nani Epondulan has formed a tough squad with Lawrence Mangubat, Ivan Panapanaan, and Chris Hubilla taking charge.

 BLOODY WEEK

It was a week that San Beda would somehow like to forget as they found themselves falling from number 2 to number 5 as they went 0-3 with their losses coming from fellow top teams like UST, NU, and DLSU.

Though these were tough losses, the Red Lions faithful should not panic because the team remains solid and dangerous despite the bumpy road they are on.

RISING UP

The ascent of the EAC Generals is inevitable, especially if they continue playing well. This week, they went 2-0, with wins coming from St. Clare Saints and NU.

Coach Jerson Cabiltes has definitely formed a tough squad that should not be overlooked by anyone.

UP SLIDES

The UP Fighting Maroons' slide from 4th to 6th.

However, it should not be blamed on bad performance but rather a result of other teams producing stronger results this week. Their ranking could be affected once they go on an out-of-the-country practice while other contenders are getting quality victories.

Expect UP to roar back once they see action in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup games.

BREAKING IN

St. Clare Saints have benefited a lot from the games they have played in numerous tournaments. This is evident as their experience has allowed them to show their potential and climb to the 11th spot.

Their recent win in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup against LPU Pirates has proven that they are on the right path to establishing themselves as one of the best collegiate teams outside the UAAP and NCAA.

Enderun Colleges Titans have also picked up steam as they have posted a 2-1 win-loss record in the Collegiate Cup, including a win against Guang Ming Flying Dragons.

Rising up to the post-Kenneth Oumba and DJ Howe era are Joey Panganiban and CJ Garcia, who have become the 1-2 punch of the Pipo Noundou-coached squad.

Meanwhile, Adamson Soaring Falcons and Perpetual Altas have also stamped their class this week with morale-boosting victories as the two are ready to explode and move a step farther from their current rankings.

St. Dominic College of Asia Pikemen, fresh from their runner-up finish in the PRISAA Nationals, jumped to the 17th spot as they performed well in their loss against the Altas.

The Pikemen were fearless in that game as they pushed the Altas to extra session before losing grip of the game.

PUTTING IN THEIR NAMES

NCRAA Finalists Bestlink College of the Philippines Kalasag and Immaculada Concepcion College Blue Hawks have entered the rankings after their performances that catapulted them to the finals of the said tournament.

LASTLY

As we enter the middle of 2026, every result matters in the collegiate rankings. We have seen in the previous weeks that the race to the pinnacle is not reserved for 1 to 3 teams, but it is for every team that strongly believes that they are the best in what they do on the basketball court.

To view the rankings: JUNE 3, 2026 RANKINGS