Back on November 28, 2024, the UAAP announced a breakthrough.
The country’s most prestigious varsity league opened its doors to guest teams at the high school level, inviting PAREF Southridge School and Claret School of Quezon City to compete in the UAAP High School Boys’ Football Tournament.
The goal was twofold: to increase the number of participants in events that had struggled to field at least four teams, and to give these schools a bigger platform to showcase their programs.
The Admirals ended up reaching the semifinals in their debut campaign in Season 87.
Hungry for more, Southridge expanded its participation, also joining swimming, baseball, tennis, and, later this season, fencing.
And it all started with a dream.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“You know, when we talk about this, I always say thank you to Mr. Rely San Agustin, the commissioner of UAAP football. He started it all. He created the possibility,” said Southridge sports director Darrel Arevalo.
“We got into football last season. Then after that, I just tried my best to present to the UAAP what Southridge sports has to offer.”
Of course, participating is one thing — winning it all is a completely different animal.
But for Arevalo, the spirit behind it all was bringing the Southridge community together.
“You know, last year we had a press conference when the UAAP presented us to the community — Southridge. I still remember my short dialogue during that press con. What I highlighted was that the UAAP is all about community. And if you look at what’s behind us right now, this is all about community, all about the athletes,” said Arevalo.
“UAAP is one of the big — if not the biggest — stages in high school sports here in the Philippines. We’re just really, really thankful because sports unite people.”
Last November, Southridge earned its first-ever UAAP medal — a bronze in the 4×200 medley relay, with Pancho Escano, Abram Mendoza, Rob Salandanan, and Diego Hans claiming the podium finish.
In the baseball tournament, however, things looked bleak midway through the campaign.
With three games left in the elimination round, the Admirals found themselves at a precarious 2–3 record. One more loss would have spelled doom.
Southridge survived three straight do-or-die games before ousting National University Nazareth School in a playoff.
Then, in the finals against the DLSZ Junior Green Batters, the Admirals dominated, sweeping the championship series in emphatic fashion.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Who would have thought that we would be champions? Nobody would have bet on us being champions this season. But here we are — we got it,” said Admirals head coach Bocc Bernardo, a champion catcher with Ateneo a decade ago and now a champion coach as well.
The championship, though, was just a bonus.
From the very beginning, Southridge’s goal in joining the UAAP was to bring together both the past and the present of the community.
During the finals, supporters flocked to the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in droves, while classes at their Alabang campus were also suspended.
“You can see it here, we have all the baseball varsity players supporting the team. And back at Southridge, we even have a watch party. So there were no classes in the morning; the whole Southridge community was just watching and supporting our baseball team. So maraming, maraming salamat, UAAP,” said Arevalo.
“This is really about uniting people together. It’s all about community — uniting people through sports. And we’re very thankful to the UAAP because they’ve given us this opportunity.”
