THRONE AND ONE - PINOYLIGA THE BIG DANCE 2026

2026 is probably one of the most competitive basketball seasons we have witnessed in recent memory. This follows another turnaround in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Basketball Power Rankings, where a different squad has claimed the number one spot.

SITTING ON THE THRONE

After weeks of inactivity, the UP Fighting Maroons plunged into action in the Fil-Oil Cup as it registered two big victories to jumped over the competition and grabbed the number 1 spot after a wild two weeks of basketball action.

Though it lost to the FEU Tamaraws just before the deadline for this ranking, UP’s double digit wins over Adamson Soaring Falcons and rivals De La Salle Green Archers was enough for the Diliman-based dribblers to reclaim the position it once had.

The wins were not only a show of force but a declaration that UP will not simply go out when discussion of basketball powerhouse in the collegiate scene.

La Salle, meanwhile, were on its way to hold number 1 until they stumbled against their modern-day rivals. From number 4, the Green Archers are now number two and their ascent was due to winning the championship of the Bayugan Invitational Basketball Tournament, as they defeated fellow collegiate powerhouse squads San Beda Red Lions, Letran Knights, and Adamson Soaring Falcons along with a commercial team in CM Farms.

DISLODGED

The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers found themselves kicked out of the top spot as UP’s dominating wins and La Salle’s title conquest out to town were too much to overcome.

To make matters worst, JRU’s heartbreaking losses against UST Growling Tigers and the Benilde Blazers were a big factor in their sudden drop to 4^th spot.

However, this does not mean that JRU is losing a step after weeks of dominance. The Heavy Bombers remain a force to reckon with.

ON SOLID GROUND

Although they failed to gain ground this week, the UST Growling Tigers remain in the championship tier as they continue to provide solid effort in their games.

The Tigers went 2 and Oh despite their starters resting in those matches.

This only proves that UST is on the right path to success for many years to come.

The said wins indicate that UST is on the right path to success for many years to come.

Rounding up the Top 5 are the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights as their talent is hard to ignore especially once everyone gets it going.

Led by Jonathan Manalili, Jimboy Estrada and Kevin Santos, the Knights are looking to establish themselves as one of the dominant teams in the NCAA.

SLIDING BUT STILL STRONG

NU Bulldogs slid to the 6th spot. The Sampaloc-based dribblers did not do anything wrong but just had a case of having a lighter competition.

Nevertheless, the Jeff Napa-coached squad is still one of the strongest teams in the country.

The San Beda Red Lions fell to the 7^th spot after a roller-coaster experience the past two weeks. However, one must realize that if a team wants to win the basketball title in NCAA Season 102, then it must go through the Red Lions.

COMPLETING THE TOP TIER

After a week of inactivity, The FEU Tamaraws, moved up to the 8^th spot after the morale-boosting victory of the Fighting Maroons

The Mapua Cardinals, meanwhile, rose to the 9^th spot after winning its last six matches.

Looks like the magic of Coach Chito Victolero has rubbed off to the rest of the team.

The Benilde Blazers completed the top 10 after ending up with a 2-2 win-loss record in two weeks including a nail biting 1 point win over the Heavy Bombers.

The EAC Generals found themselves out of the Top 10 after they lost to the Mapua Cardinals. The said loss carried weight, as it stopped the momentum it built for the past few weeks.

MAKING SOME NOISE

St. Clare Saints went up a notch after rediscovering themselves and defeating Diliman College despite not having an FSA. Klint Manzano has been the consistent player for Coach Jino Manansala.

San Pablo Ravens has maintained their unblemished record in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup Season 5 as it won its first three games in the tournament.

Coach Francis Natividad’s offense has been unpredictable as someone from his team has risen up to be the leader in every game.

St. Dominic Pikemen and Guang Ming Flying Dragons each moved up by 2 spots by winning their respective games this week against tough opponents.

The Pikemen led by Chad Amante and Jay De Manuel, defeated Olivarez College and PCU Dasmarinas Dolphins, while the Flying Dragons drubbed Perpetual Altas behind the energy of Prosper Onyebuchi.

New Era Hunters started their campaign in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup with two victories thus establishing themselves as one of the rising basketball programs in the country.

The LPU Pirates got a new lease at life as they produced a nerve-wracking win against the newly minted NCRAA kingpins BCP Kalasag, who in turn surprised everyone because of their never-say-die attitude in their game.

After that heartbreaking loss, BCP, then won two straight matches to show that they are for real.

The USI Falcons are now in the 24^th spot after winning the OBL Season 2 title by defeating its BUCAL rival, the NCF Tigers. The Falcons’ onslaught was led by the tournament MVP Jularch Asibor.

NEW TEAMS ENTER

Three teams enter the rankings after playing their first two games this past weekend.

The Diliman College Blue Dragons, Manila Central University Supremos and University of Makati Herons made their presence felt in the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup Season 5. Though they each lost their debut games, the three teams made a mark, and insiders feel that they will be more comfortable in their next games.

LASTLY

This week’s rankings have shown that there are two things that are important in the power rankings. The results and the quality of competition. These are the keys to success whether a team will move up or down the rankings.

UP and La Salle might have won this week, but expect the field to try to take them down because, at the end of the day, all have the same target, and that is to be number one.

(Covered Dates: June 24 to July 7, 2026)

VIEW FULL RANKINGS HERE: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19AbRBC4qN/