UNDER THE dazzling lights and across a red carpet, host school University of Santo Tomas officially drew the curtains for UAAP Season 88 as the twin general champions for the ninth straight year.
Extending its reign as the winningest institution in UAAP history, UST claimed its 49th overall crown in the collegiate ranks and 25th title in the high school level during the league’s closing ceremonies, inspired by the prestige of the Oscars at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, May 16.
“From the thunder of the arenas to the millions watching across streams, we didn’t just witness games; we witnessed heart, pride, and the unbreakable spirit of the UAAP,” UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., told the crowd graced by Thomasians, guests and student-athletes from the eight UAAP member schools.
“Every cheer, every hard-fought game brought our theme to life. This is more than just a slogan, it became our mantra. We saw strength in every athlete who pushed beyond limits, who rose after every fall, and who fought until the very end,” Ang added.
Nine-year excellence
The España-based institution delivered another commanding campaign in the seniors’ play, garnering a total of 356 points to bag its ninth consecutive overall title. Thomasian student-athletes racked up 10 golds, five silvers and seven bronzes.
It was the UST Male Woodpushers who once again delivered the university’s first gold medal of the season, besting the FEU Tamaraws in the Finals in both the standard and, later on, the blitz chess competitions.
The Tiger Paddlers continued to cement their dynasty after sweeping the men’s table tennis tournament to claim their sixth consecutive crown, while the Male Tennisters returned to the throne by claiming their 17th tennis title. Meanwhile, the UST Judokas also claimed gold in both the men’s and women’s judo divisions.
The Tiger Sands also completed a golden double in their respective beach volleyball tilts, conquering the NU Bulldogs in the men’s and women’s tilts.
Entering the hardwood, main gunner Kent Pastrana marked the end of her collegiate career on a winning note, leading the Growling Tigresses to the crown in both the 5×5 and 3×3 women’s basketball contests.
UST also settled for silver finishes as the Lady Paddlers, Lady Tracksters, and Tiger Jins came up short in their respective title bids.
For the second consecutive year, the Golden Spikers and Golden Tigresses finished with bronze, as both teams succumbed to the NU volleyball squads during the semifinals of the indoor volleyball.
Meanwhile, the Male Tiger Sharks improved last season’s fourth-place finish with a bronze medal this year, while the Female Tennisters and Lady Fencers failed to defend their Season 87 crowns, as both teams settled for third.
In the open field, the Tiger Softbelles and the Tiger Booters also claimed bronze in their softball and football campaigns.
Wrapping up the podium, DLSU finished in second place with 284 points, while the University of the Philippines had 272 points.
A decade-long domination
UST likewise ruled the high school division, tallying 13 golds, six silvers and two bronzes to run away with their tenth straight overall general championship title.
The Junior Male and Lady Woodpushers delivered a landmark breakthrough, each securing their first-ever standard chess titles in 34 years.
In swimming, the Junior Tigersharks continued their dynasty, completing their 10th golden double.
The Junior Tiger Sands sustained their winning tradition in beach volleyball, clinching back-to-back titles, while the Junior Tiger Paddlers and Junior Lady Paddlers added to UST’s dominance with a third consecutive golden double.
In martial arts, the Junior Tiger Judokas swept both the boys’ and girls’ divisions of the judo championships, while the Junior Tiger Jins made history of their own by capturing the inaugural high school poomsae championship crown.
The Junior Growling Tigresses delivered their back-to-back titles after triumphing over NUNS in a three-game series in girls’ basketball, while the Junior Tiger Tracksters also completed their title defense in boys’ athletics.
The Junior Lady Fencers also produced a breakthrough performance, winning their first girls’ fencing title after dethroning 11-time defending champion UE.
In team and individual podium finishes, the Tiger Cubs secured a silver medal in boys’ 3×3 basketball, while the Junior Male Woodpushers earned silver in boys’ blitz chess. The squad also finished first runner-up in the boys’ kyorugi (sparring) division.
The Junior Golden Booters added a silver medal in the high school boys’ football tournament, while the high school girls’ Athletics team also settled for silver in track and field.
UST’s medal haul was rounded out by the Junior Lady Woodpushers, who claimed bronze in the girls’ blitz chess tournament.
To close out the podium, DLSZ placed second with 189 points, edging Ateneo de Manila University by a single point, which settled for third with 188 points.
Under the UAAP rules, the general champion is determined by a point system. The system gives 15 points to the champion team of an event, 12 to the runner-up and 10 to the third placer.
Brightest Tigers
In an evening defined by glitz and glamour, select student-athletes were feted for not only dominating their respective sports but also leaving a mark on the league.
Junior Growling Tigress Riri Perez earned a nod to the Athletes of the Year for team sports, while Junior Tiger Judoka Zkeana Mekyla Valdez received the Athlete-Scholar award for the high school level.
UST women’s basketball star Pastrana was named Athlete-Scholar of the Year. She was the Finals MVP in the Growling Tigresses’ 5×5 title run, while later earning MVP honors in the 3×3 tournament.
To cap off the celebration, UST formally passed the UAAP hosting obligations to Far Eastern University.
“The mantra of the UAAP is education, including sports and sportsmanship and fair competition. We are happy to note that all eight schools achieved their championships across the 60 events in the UAAP,” FEU president Juan Miguel Montinola said.
“This is a manifestation of the good competition and fair play,” Montinila added.
With the torch now handed over, all eyes turn to UAAP Season 89, which is set to open on Sept. 12 this year with the theme “For Everyone, UAAP.” F – Mc Neil Zyh Serrano and Joshua Louis Sumanghid
