JR Vargas dreamt of a fairy tale ending for himself and the University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Season 87 Baseball.
And they came just one run away from keeping that dream alive — nearly extending their season with a Final Four win over De La Salle University.
But instead of a storybook walk-off for the Golden Sox, it was the Green Batters who emerged victorious.
That’s when reality hit Vargas: it was his final UAAP game.
Still, the long-time UST catcher went out on a high.
From a flawless 3-of-3 hitting clip in their first game against Ateneo de Manila University to a crucial performance in their win over University of the Philippines that clinched the No. 3 seed, Vargas made his final season count — ultimately earning him the UAAP Season 87 Most Valuable Player award.
“Hanggang ngayon, as in hindi pa kami nakaka-move on sa last game namin.
“Pero masaya pa rin kasi ginawa naman namin ‘yung best kahit hindi gano’n ‘yung ineexpect naming result. ‘Tong natanggap ko ngayong award is hindi lang ‘to para sa’kin, kundi para rin sa mga teammates ko at sa mga coaches ko na nagtiwala at sumuporta talaga sa’kin mula nang first game namin hanggang dulo,” said the national team upstart.
Vargas was one of the many student-athletes affected by the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of UAAP seasons.
But instead of seeing it as a setback, he found meaning in the pause — it deepened his appreciation for baseball and brought him closer to his team.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Pagkatapos nga ng pandemic at nakabalik na kami, maraming nangyari, ups and downs. Pero lahat ng nangyari, hindi pa rin ako (natinag), masaya pa rin kasi andyan pa rin ako sa mga teammates ko, andiyan pa rin with coaches.
“Lahat ng mga nangyari, sila ‘yung naging insipirasyon ko, sila ‘yung mga naging kasama ko. Maging maganda man o pangit ‘yung mga nangyari sa ‘kin or sa team namin, masaya pa rin,” said the slugger from Pambujan, Northern Samar.
With his collegiate chapter now closed — highlighted by a third-place finish and MVP recognition — Vargas sets his sights on the international stage, continuing his career with the Philippine national team.
And for the 25-year-old batter, the MVP award isn’t just a trophy; it’s a symbol of how far he’s come — and how much farther he plans to go.
“These past few years, sobrang maraming lessons akong nakuha na alam kong makakatulong sa’kin for my future talaga, lalo na sa career ko sa baseball. Lalo na itong season ngayon, marami akong natutunan. Siguro maraming disappointments pero I’m looking for positive things na makakatulong talaga sa’kin, kasi hindi ko naman hahayaan ‘yung mga negative things na nangyari na ma-i-down ako,” Vargas shared.
“Think positive lang talaga all the time, kahit anong mangyari,” concluded the Season 87 Homerun King.
“Sobrang happy din kasi hindi ko na rin ine-expect ‘yung award na ‘to kasi simula nung nagkaroon kami ng mga losing streak, talagang nag-focus na lang ako how to win with my team; how to help my coaches. ‘Yun na lang inisip ko. Siguro ‘tong award na ‘to, naging basehan na lang kung gaano ko tinry makatulong sa coaches ko. ‘Tong MVP na ‘to siguro ‘yung magigiing stepping stone ko kung ano pa ‘yung brighter things na mangyayari sa ‘kin in the future.”
