SHIFT - PINOYLIGA THE BIG DANCE 2026

Another shift happened on top of the Pinoyliga Collegiate Basketball Power Rankings as a new number one reigned this week. 

After weeks of proving themselves, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers finally nabbed the top spot, as this week showed that results mattered whether one program rises or falls.

REACHING THE SUMMIT

For the very first time this year, the JRU Heavy Bombers are on top of the mountain. They were rewarded because of their hard work and consistency, which produced wins for them.

They ended the week with a 2 wins-1 loss slate, where 2 of their wins came at the expense of teams in the Top 10 (San Beda and Emilio Aguinaldo College) while their only defeat came at the hands of the Mapua Cardinals via a buzzer beater at the end of the cut-off date.

Their resume will show that they have defeated ranked teams that will justify their uprising.

BULLDOGS JUMP AHEAD

After slipping to the 5^th spot last week, the NU Bulldogs made a big jump as they beat last week’s number 1-ranked team, the UST Growling Tigers, to show that they are one of the feared teams this year.

The said win helped NU take the 2^nd spot and gain momentum, as they will try to retake the top spot this week.

STILL DANGEROUS

Despite falling to the 3rd spot due to its loss to NU, UST remains one of the dangerous squads this season.

With its roster, filled with talented players, the Growling Tigers will definitely be in the conversation when people talk about the teams to beat in the UAAP.

IN THE TOP 5

The La Salle Green Archers slid to the fourth spot after a quiet week. They played their only game this week against the Gilas Under-18 squad, which they won.

Despite losing 2 key players from last season’s championship squad, the Green Archers have been solid so far.

Dropping to the fifth spot is the San Beda Red Lions after losing to JRU in a tight match.

HOLDING FORT

The Letran Knights and EAC Generals stayed put on their respective rankings from last week, but both proved that they belong to the upper bracket of the power rankings.

The Knights have a talent-laden squad, while EAC formed a tireless and pesky unit that will give headaches to opposing squads.

SILENT BUT NOT FOR LONG

The UP Fighting Maroons have been silent for several weeks now, but expect that they will wreck havoc soon, as they have wrapped up their practice outside the country and will soon resume their play in the Fil-Oil Cup, Asian University Basketball League, and the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup Season 5.

MOVE UP AND DOWN

The FEU Tamaraws have lately shown confidence with each other, and it has resulted in exciting games every time they enter the game. They are now currently sitting on the 9^th seed.

Benilde Blazers, meanwhile, dropped to 10^th after losing to EAC, as they are still groping for form.

For the past few weeks, the Blazers have been having problems in beating squads inside the Top 10.

GROWING TOGETHER

The Perpetual Altas moved to the 11th spot after winning its matches this week. The Coach Olsen Racela-led squad took home victories against the San Sebastian Stags and LPU Manila to give themselves enough confidence and create noise in the basketball community.

BIGGEST JUMPERS

Four squads outside of the top 10 made an impact the past week as they have jumped slots more than what was expected from them.

The Mapua Cardinals have now moved to the 12^th spot after weeks outside of the Top 20.

Quality wins against Benilde, the Arellano Chiefs, and JRU in their last 3 matches have caught the attention of people, and slowly they are becoming believers that the arrival of Coach Chito Victolero has stabilized the ship for the Cardinals.

St. Dominic Pikemen, meanwhile, moved to 16^th after their Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup win over Guang Ming as they showed boundless energy in the game.

The same can be said to the San Pablo Ravens as they nipped the Enderun Titans in their game. The former NCAA South kingpins have entered the Top 20.

PCU Dasmarinas Dolphins also jumped to 27^th after the big win against Our Lady of Fatima Phoenix, which just proved that the squad is ready to take on any challenge just to prove that they are a respectable basketball program in the country.

DOWNWARD

The Arellano Chiefs have seen themselves sliding down the ranks, as they are currently at the 13th spot. They have shown that they are having a hard time getting past some teams, which can be a problem since most of them are teams that they will be seeing in the NCAA later this year.

Losses in the past week have pushed Guang Ming Flying Dragons, OLFU Phoenix, and Enderun Titans down in the rankings. The way they will respond to this slide is critical, as it will dictate how they will move in the next weeks.

A CAUSE OF CONCERN

The San Sebastian Stags have lost their last four matches with an average of almost 16 points. The supposed rebuilding has hit another challenge as news surfaced that their newly appointed coach, Tony Tan, has been replaced, resulting in back to zero preparation for the Stags.

LASTLY

Though there was a change in the top spot this week, the challengers to the throne occupied by JRU have built momentum; thus, every match has corresponding implications that might affect the rankings.

The battle for the top spots of the Pinoyliga Collegiate Power Rankings continues, and the war for basketball supremacy never ends.

(Covered Dates: June 17 to 23, 2026)

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