It was not only school pride, a UAAP championship, and the accompanying 15 General Championship points at stake during Game Three of the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Basketball Finals.
During the game, members of Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.’s staff were carrying around a wooden box. Inside was a beautifully crafted 14-karat trophy that was to be awarded to the victors of the tournament.
The trophy itself is made from solid gold, with the shield of each member school of the UAAP wrapped around it. The worth of it is said to be estimated at around PHP 2,700,000.
Photo c/o Jio Igual/Archer Pride
After the grueling 40-minute encounter, the Chief Executive Officer of San Miguel Corporation personally awarded the trophy made by topflight goldsmiths Suarez and Sons, to Ateneo president Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ.
According to Philippine Star columnist Quinito Henson, Cojuangco pledged to do the same for the next seven winners of the Men’s Basketball tournament. Moreover, the school that will win three straight men’s basketball crowns will receive a special perpetual trophy that is said to be worth PHP 5,800,000.
Henson added that Cojuangco wants this memento to represent all of the core values each school is fighting for.
Safe to say, the stakes in the UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament just got higher.
