Early years (1924–1935) The NCAA was founded by the
Ateneo de Manila,
De La Salle College, the Institute of Accounts (known today as
Far Eastern University),
National University,
San Beda College, the
University of Manila, the
University of the Philippines and the
University of Santo Tomas. Membership was fluid, and the composition of the association changed frequently. To this date, San Beda is the only founding member left in the association.
First expansion (1969–78) San Sebastian College–Recoletos was admitted in 1969, marking the first change in the NCAA's membership since 1936. This increased the association's membership to seven colleges.
First contraction (1978–84) The
Ateneo de Manila University left the association in 1978 after the championship series against San Beda College where the final game was held
behind closed doors. In September 1980,
De La Salle University withdrew from the association after an August 17 game against Colegio de San Juan Letran turned into a full-blown riot which led to the game being called off. The association ordered the game to be replayed behind closed doors but the then-
FIBA recognized basketball association, the
Basketball Association of the Philippines, ordered the association to cancel the rest of the season. San Beda College left in 1984 to concentrate on intramural events.
Second expansion (1984–95) After the Ateneo de Manila, La Salle, and San Beda left, the NCAA opened its doors to new members. In 1984,
Perpetual Help College of Rizal was accepted as a new member, after the Stallions were admitted earlier provisionally, in 1974 By 2008, the NCAA allowed PCU to return for the
2008–09 season, then take an indefinite leave of absence thereafter. In 2009,
Angeles University Foundation (AUF),
Arellano University,
Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) participated as guest members for the
2009–10 season; only Arellano and EAC were accepted as members on probation starting on the
2010–11 season. In 2011,
Lyceum of the Philippines University was invited as a guest team that would play on the
2011–12 season. Arellano was elevated to regular membership after all the association requirements were met. EAC and Lyceum remained on probation; their status and performances were evaluated at the end of the
2014–15 season. Weeks before the start of
NCAA Season 91, EAC and Lyceum were elevated to regular membership. Starting in
NCAA Season 98, juniors' championship was held separately with the men's championship, with the former being held on the second semester of the academic year, while the latter on the first semester. This means, for
NCAA Season 98, the men's championship was held in 2022, while the juniors' championship was held in 2023. ==List of championships per school==