DEFENDING champion De La Salle University made a dominant statement to open its UAAP Season 87 Esports VALORANT title defense, dismantling National University, 13-3, 13-4, Wednesday at the Quantum Skyview Deck in Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City.
Season 86 MVP Aaron Sablay marked his return with back-to-back MVP performances, leading La Salle to an emphatic opening-day sweep. He averaged 16.5 kills and 3.5 assists across both games.
Thanks to Sablay’s heroics, the Green Aces joined Ateneo de Manila University at the top of Group A as the Blue Eagles survived a gritty challenge from University of the East, eking out a hard-fought 13-9, 13-10 win, later in the day.
Coach Aron Orlanda praised his team for their flawless start while acknowledging the challenges ahead.
“Sobrang solid ng team ngayon. Yung mga inexpect namin sa kalaban, nagawan namin ng paraan kaya good job talaga sa players lalo na sa pag-adjust,” said Orlanda, who previously coached professional squad ZOL Esports in the VALORANT Challengers 2024 Southeast Asia: Split 3.
“Looking good para sa back-to-back, hopefully. Syempre yun yung goal namin. Kailangan lang namin ituloy-tuloy kung ano yung napagpraktisan namin. Kailangan lang namin i-execute kung ano napagpraktisan namin,” he added.
La Salle wasted no time asserting its dominance in Game 1, racing to a 10-0 lead behind Sablay’s pinpoint shooting before cruising to a 13-3 victory.
The Taft-based squad replicated its commanding start in Game 2 with a 7-1 advantage, eventually sealing the match by winning six of the last nine rounds, 13-4, to complete the sweep.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Blue Eagles, the Season 86 bronze medalists, leaned on Tristan Monsod’s clutch performance in Round 22, where he tallied three straight kills to bring Ateneo to match point, 12-10.
Paolo Lopez then sealed the win by surviving a 1-vs-2 situation in Round 23.
Archrivals Ateneo and La Salle are set to clash for Group A supremacy in a showdown this Friday.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In Group B, University of the Philippines earned redemption after last season’s painful loss to University of Santo Tomas with a thrilling 13-8, 2-13, 13-9 victory.
Lance Clemente came up big in the deciding game, recording 21 kills and three assists. He anchored UP’s final push in the closing rounds after UST closed the gap to 11-9.
UP will take a one-day break before seeking its second straight win against Far Eastern University on Friday, while UST looks to bounce back against Adamson University on Thursday.
All matches are broadcast live on Pilipinas Live and the UAAP Varsity Channel.
