Kennedy Batas — the newly-crowned Most Valuable Player and 1st Best Outside Hitter of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament — feels determined to return stronger for Ateneo de Manila University next season, after the Blue Eagles once again fell short of a Final Four appearance for the third consecutive year.
Batas became the first Blue Eagle to win MVP honors since five-time winner Marck Espejo (Seasons 76–80) and AJ Pareja (Season 72).
While the recognition marked a major individual milestone, the 23-year-old outside hitter emphasized that his motivation to return goes beyond personal accolades — it stems from the heartbreak and unfinished business the team has endured over the last three UAAP campaigns.
Ateneo has consistently been on the brink of the Final Four, finishing with identical 7-7 records in Seasons 85 and 86.
This year, the story was no different.
The Blue Eagles ended the season in fifth place once again, just two wins shy of catching up to the University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University.
Fresh off earning his undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies — with a major in Filipino, Literature, and Management, and a minor in Marketing — Batas will be enrolling in a master’s program as he utilizes his remaining two years of eligibility with the Blue Eagles.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sa akin talaga, pinaka-motivation ko is yung UAAP talaga, sobrang dream ko talaga siya. Hindi ko siya nakuha nang basta-basta. ‘Yon yung naging reason kaya gusto ko bumalik. Hindi pa ako tapos sa UAAP. Meron pa akong goal [para] sa sarili ko and sa team,” Batas shared with reporters following the Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament awarding ceremony on Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s a statement sa amin na sobrang effective ng sistema namin. Though hindi namin nareach yung goal namin this season, parang alam namin na meron pang itataas yung laro na meron kami. I think malaki yung tsansa na makakabawi kami next season.”
For Batas, coming back for Season 88 is not just about seeking redemption — it’s about fulfilling a promise to his younger self.
The MVP from Santiago, Isabela, who joined Ateneo during the pandemic, had a breakout junior year in Season 87. He finished second in scoring with 263 points, ranked fourth in spiking with a 44.79% success rate, and placed fourth in service aces with an average of 0.30 per set.
His return is a major boost for an Ateneo team that remains largely intact, with key contributors such as Season 87 Best Opposite Hitter Amil Pacinio, Jian Salarzon, Enzo Gutierrez, and Brian Castro expected to suit up once again.
“Siguro it’s a booster for me na kailangan ko pang hindi mag-eend dito yung journey ko. Kailangan mag-hard work pa rin. Siguro inspiration na rin samin ito sa team na if kinaya ko, then kakayanin nila,” said Batas
#WATCH: “SEE YOU NEXT SEASON”
Kennedy Batas isn’t done yet — the MVP is coming back for one more run 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/g2cEdkFC3n
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 14, 2025
