The University of the Philippines (UP) not only competed but also embodied camaraderie and excellence as host of UAAP’s 87th edition.
From an explosive opening headlined by the reunited band Eraserheads in the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to a magical finale at the Mall of Asia Arena, the seven-month journey of UP hopefuls was filled with historic feats, alongside some bittersweet moments.
Excluding the triumph of the UP Streetdance Crew, the Fighting Maroons finished a step higher from Season 86 after scoring 15 medals—three gold, five silver and seven bronze—and gathering 269 points, securing the second place in the general championship.
When it is all said and done, some succeeded in finishing stronger.
The UP Women’s Badminton Varsity Team opened the medal haul for the Fighting Maroons, dethroning four-time defending champions Ateneo De Manila University and smashing their way towards their tenth title.
Read: Badminton Team strikes big for UP in UAAP 87
Thea Gonzalez led the way for the lady shuttlers as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) with an impressive 7-0 singles record to fuel their undefeated run.
Meanwhile, the Maroon tracksters leaped over last season’s heartbreak as they claimed their 21st championship in Men’s Athletics with a total of 290 points.
Herculean efforts from Ed Delina in the Shot Put and Hammer Throw events and jumper Clint Niño Neri in Men’s Long and Triple Jump pushed the squad’s gold medal tally to four in addition to seven silver and five bronze medals, sealing the crown back to Diliman.
After back-to-back shortcomings, the Fighting Maroons have once again ascended to the peak of Men’s Basketball, trouncing defending champions De La Salle University to seize the gold for the fourth time.
Read: Champions at last: UP dethrones DLSU for UAAP S87 crown
JD Cagulangan cashed out in his final year with the Diliman-based squad as a part of the Mythical Five selection to go along with his title of Finals MVP.
Before the curtains closed for Season 87, the UP Streetdance Club cast their spells to bedazzle the competition with a magic-induced performance that quenched their nine-year championship drought.
Read: UP pulls best trick yet in 9 years, takes home UAAP 87 Street Dance title
Then, some proved that they are better than before.
Falling short of the podium in Season 86, the Men’s Fencing Team lunged to silver behind the efforts of Miguel Bautista’s gold and Dexter Ramos’ bronze in epee, with Dustin Tan’s bronze in foil, alongside the gold and silver secured for the epee and foil team events, respectively.
The UP Men’s Chess Team also climbed up higher from bronze to a silver placement in the classical format, while also taking home bronze and fourth place in the inaugural Rapid and Blitz tournaments, respectively.
The UP Softball Varsity Team remained a constant contender after booking their third consecutive Finals appearance, but ultimately fell short in halting the then 11-peat seeking Adamson Soaring Falcons.
Despite missing out on the title, State U’s gems continued to shine with Angel Joanna Pascual notching the Most Stolen Bases award, while team captain Nickole Dela Cruz bagged multiple accolades: the Best Hitter, Best Slugger, Most Runs Batted In (RBIs) and the Season 87 MVP.
The Maroon judokas and Women’s Varsity Swim Team’s (WVST) bids to defend their title were thwarted, with both squads settling for silver.
The Men’s Judo Team tallied three gold medals at the mats courtesy of Season 86 MVP Jayvee Ferrer, Christian Michael Zuñiga and Levyn Panganiban, to go along with two silver and seven bronze to complete their overall tally.
Camille Buico and reigning Rookie of the Year Quendy Fernandez tallied eight of WVST’s 16 medals for a total score of 337 points. Aside from three gold placements, Fernandez also shattered the UAAP record in the 100m backstroke, clocking in at a time of 1:03.97.
Just four months after winning last season’s championship, the UP Men’s Football Team began the quest to defend their crown with a rookie-laden roster, missing out on key mainstays including the services of last year’s MVP Francis Tacardon.
WATCH: Athletes of Diliman: UP Men’s Football Team
With the young core of talent spearheaded by returning captain Macky Tobias, the Fighting Maroons left everything on the pitch as they settled for third place after an emotional exit in the semifinals against eventual champions Far Eastern University.
Meanwhile, UP found shards of last season’s finishes for the Men’s Badminton and Women’s Tennis as they defended their spot on the podium as bronze medalists.
Shan Clar of the UP Badminton Varsity Team aced his Maroon debut with Rookie of the Year honors to boot, while Jufe Cocoy registered a flawless singles run during the eliminations to earn co-MVP honors with UST’s Kaye Emana.
Marking their returns to the podium are the Men’s Tennis Team (MTT) and Women’s Track and Field Team (TFT).
UP MTT crossed off a ten-year absence in the Final Four before pushing finalists National University to a winner-take-all duel in the semifinals to etch a third-place ending upon their return to the playoffs.
A double gold performance from Megey Ninura powered the UP TFT squad as they collected three gold, four silver and bronze medals overall with 195 points, sprinting to third from their fourth-place heartbreak last season.
Showing up in their debut at the UAAP stage are the UP Esports Varsity Team, who shot for back-to-back bronze medals in the Valorant Tournament of UAAP Esports.
Closing out the bronze medalists are the Men’s Swimming and Women’s Fencing Team.
Amidst the challenges, others braved the season’s trials and are vowing for redemption, together.
The Women’s Football Team narrowly missed out on the podium after being edged out by University of Santo Tomas in goal differential.
State U also garnered fourth place in the standings of the Men’s Beach Volleyball, Men’s Taekwondo, Poomsae and Women’s 3×3 Basketball tournaments.
For the second year in a row, the UP Baseball Team ended up in fifth after being beaten narrowly by the Adamson Soaring Falcons in a playoff showdown for the last ticket heading to the Final Four.
Team captain Ian Mercado led by example one last time, swinging his way to the Best Hitter plum in his final playing year.
After a drought-ending run last season, the UP Women’s Basketball Team slid down to fifth place in the absence of star rookie Favour Onoh due to injuries.
On the flipside, sophomore forward Louna Ozar proved her might for the Fighting Maroons throughout the 14-game stretch, earning her spot in the Mythical Five.
Read: UP’s Cagulangan and Ozar clinch Mythical Five honors
Rounding out the squads who landed fifth in the standings are the UP Women’s Beach Volleyball Team, Men’s Table Tennis Varsity Team, and the Women’s Judo Team.
The Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Teams both closed out their campaigns in sixth place, an improvement from last year’s seventh and eighth place finishes, respectively.
UP Women’s Volleyball Team mainstay Niña Ytang was named as the league’s 2nd Best Middle Blocker for the third consecutive year, wreaking havoc at the net during their upsets against tournament finalists National University and De La Salle University.
Other varsity teams who garnered a sixth-place finish were the Women’s Table Tennis and Men’s and Women’s Taekwondo Varsity Teams, as well as the UP Varsity Pep Squad, who showcased a summer-themed routine during the Cheerdance Competition.
WATCH: Athletes of Diliman: UP Varsity Pep Squad
Denied a Final Four berth in the Classical tournament, the UP Women’s Varsity Chess Team also finished last at seventh for both Rapid and Blitz events.
The ML:BB and NBA2K squads of UP EVT, on the other hand, will continue their grind for a Final Four appearance after logging early exits in the group phases of their respective tournaments.
Meanwhile, the Men’s 3×3 Basketball Team gears up for a change in light of another seventh-place finish in two straight seasons.
After the Fighting Maroons fulfilled UAAP Season 87’s theme, State U passed the hosting torch to the España-based collective, bannering “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action” for next season’s festivities.
