CAPAS, TARLAC — National University reclaimed the title it had ceded last year, pulling through the last three days of intense competition to capture the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Athletics crown on Sunday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here.
The joy of finally securing the elusive crown in Season 86 had faded after several key members of that championship squad graduated.
Still, the Bulldogs’ determination to regain the title was evident, and they were rewarded at the conclusion of the championships, supported by CF Moto and Masiv Sports.
At the end of the compressed meet, NU amassed 298.5 points for its second championship in three years, marking the school’s second UAAP title this season after its Women’s Chess victory.
“We really worked hard for this season, kasi nga ‘yung pangarap namin noon na mag-back-to-back champion nung nakaraang taon ay naudlot kasi may mga players na hindi nakalaro kasi sa eligibility at dahil nga sa injuries,” said head coach Fernan Dagasdas.
“This year, medyo maganda at walang injuries; dinasal namin ‘to kay Lord na sana maging 100-percent kami para maging strong enough kami to regain the championship.”
With key seniors back in full health and bolstered by prized recruits from school transfers and the grassroots program, the Bulldogs recalibrated after lagging behind on the first day. Once they took the lead on Saturday, there was no turning back.
NU collected 100 points on the final day, powered by golds in the day’s opening event, the 3,000-meter steeplechase, and the championships’ final event, the decathlon.
Underlining their dominance, three Bulldogs swept the steeplechase podium. Noli Torre led with 9:28.24, followed by 10,000 meters champion Rico Jay Patanao at 9:39.93, and Renz Cruz with 9:40.21.
Larry Taripe Jr. then sealed NU’s return to the throne with a flourish, closing out the grueling decathlon with 5,779 points, including a victory in the final 1,500 meters stage.
FEU’s Ronel Juntilla and Rolly Royo Jr. finished second and third with 5,522 and 5,444 points, respectively.
The Tamaraws attempted to end an eight-year title drought but finished second with 272.25 points. Ernie Calipay sparked FEU’s comeback with a gold in the high jump at 2.05 meters, while Adamson University’s Kurt Ragudos and NU’s Kenn Lucero tied for silver at 1.90 meters.
Jazzpeer Arcenal added another FEU gold in the 400-meter hurdles with 53.44 seconds, ahead of Ateneo’s Er Yako Mengorio (53.84) and UP’s Alhryan Labita (55.10).
Last year’s champions, the UP Fighting Maroons, slipped to third with 213.25 points, following Labita’s bronze in the 400m hurdles and Neil Jasper Salvador’s silver in the discus throw.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Co-MVP Russel Ricaforte dominated the discus with a new meet record of 52.62 meters, breaking his own mark of 47.80 meters from last season. Salvador edged NU’s Dominic Woodward for silver with 43.70 meters against 42.31.
Ricaforte, who also won the shot put on the meet’s first day, shared the top student-athlete honor with UST’s Hokett Delos Santos, who claimed the 110-meter hurdles in 14.80 seconds.
Delos Santos narrowly beat FEU’s Joseph Antiola III (14.84) by just four milliseconds, while NU’s Mark John Paculanang finished third at 15.08. UST added a second gold with Jhon Laurenze Ballelos winning the javelin at 47.33 meters.
Fellow Thomasian John Nicholan Pangan was second at 43.51, narrowly ahead of Adamson’s Daniel Rambacal (43.01). Godfrey Monzon and Rafael Ballelos finished fourth and sixth.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo’s Hussein Lorana was named Rookie of the Year, following in the footsteps of his twin brother Hassan, last year’s winner. Hussein won two golds and a silver in his debut season, including a gold in the 4×400-meter relay with the Lorana twins, Matthew Angeles, and Mengorio, clocking 3:14.85.
NU finished second at 3:15.08, with UST third at 3:20.80.
With points coming from various events, the championship ultimately went to the hungry and determined Bulldogs.
“Lagi ko lang silang mini-meeting, meron akong mga tao, bawat event, na mag-ga-guide at magtuturo sa kanila para walang lapses. Naging maganda naman ‘yung nangyari, at sa tulong ng dasal talaga. Very strong ang blessings at guidance ni God sa ‘min,” said Dagasdas, who hopes to build another strong program for the Gold and Blue.
