Rumors swirl around PUP’s intention to join the ranks of the UAAP. Look back on how the eight schools entered the league and which universities used to be members.
The PUP Radicals are not part of the UAAP, at least not yet.
That was the point driven home by the university’s official statement, following rumors that swirled around their application to join the prestigious collegiate league earlier this week.
A photo, which alluded to PUP’s participation in the UAAP, made rounds on social media which prompted the schools official page to come out with a statement denying their outright inclusion to the eight-member school league
“Sa gitna ng excitement, nais po nating linawin na hindi po bahagi ng University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) ang PUP.” the statement read.
However, they did express desire to do so in the near future.
“Ito po ay pangarap na nais nating bigyang kulay sa mga darating na taon sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaply sa kumite ng UAAP. At katulad ninyo, excited din po kaming matuloy ang planong ito.” they added.
Currently, the Radicals, formerly known as the Mighty Maroons, are competing in the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (NAASCU), and the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA).
One Sports reached out to the UAAP for comment on PUP’s planned application, but have yet to receive a response.
Still, the UAAP is not a stranger to welcoming members since its inception back in 1938. Founding members FEU, NU, UP, and UST first established the league — years removed from NU, UP, and UST’s formal withdrawal from the UAAP in 1932.
For more than a decade, only the four member schools were part of the UAAP until Adamson, UE, and former members Manila Central University and University of Manila entered the fray in 1952.
All four schools were given two-year probationary memberships. UE continued towards permanent membership. But Adamson, along with UM, were dropped in 1954 due to their inability to comply with league requirements.
Meanwhile, MCU remained until they pulled out of the league a decade after joining in 1962.
Adamson, for its part, reapplied in 1970 and achieved permanent member status.
It may also come as a surprise that powerhouses Ateneo and La Salle took the most time before joining the ranks of the UAAP.
Ateneo first joined the league in 1978, a good 40 years since the UAAP was first established. Meanwhile, La Salle is the youngest team in the league, only joining in 1986.
While the UAAP has not undergone expansion in recent years in terms of member schools, there have been a lot of ways that the league has grown — including the introduction of new sports in its calendar.
Should PUP plan on joining the prestigious league in the near future, it can only mean more growth and development for the 87-year-old tournament that has excited Philippine sports fans for decades.