By: Jan Marcus Montevirgen
For many students, representing their university in any competition is a source of immense pride, as they carry their school’s name and honor into every tournament they participate in.
Saad Macapa-ar, a member of the UE Zenith Esports’ Valorant Team, embodies this pride as he prepares to represent his university in the inaugural UAAP Esports Tournament.
“Una po, it feels great po because may chance po ako na mai-representa yung school ko. Yun nga po, matagal na rin po namin hinihintay yung chance na makapag-represent ng school namin,” said the 21-year-old fourth-year BSIT student during the UAAP Esports Media Day.
Having played Valorant since 2021, Macapa-ar admits that the chances of him representing his school seemed slim due to the prevailing stigma that esports is not considered a sport by many.
“Noong una po, sa tingin ko po may chance, pero hindi gaanong kalaki kasi madami din pong nagsasabi na yung esports nga po ay hindi sports. Kaya noong una, hindi ko po inaasahan na magkaka-esports sa UAAP,” he said.
Despite the skepticism, Macapa-ar firmly believes in the legitimacy of esports as a sport.
“Para sa akin po, naniniwala ako na sports po yung esports kasi nga po para sa akin din po, yung sports naman po is hindi naman po kailangan about physical. It’s all about mental din po kaya tingin ko po na esports is considered as sports,” he explained.
With confidence in their mental fortitude, Macapa-ar and his team are now ready for the upcoming tournament, especially as they look to avenge their previous defeat to the University of Santo Tomas Teletigers Esports Club during the Alliance Games Metro West.
“Opo. Matagal na din po kaming nagco-compete sa mga tournament, and I think handa na po yung mental namin para sa UAAP,” he said.
“Pinaghahandaan po namin makabawi sa UST kasi natalo po kami last Metro West sa Alliance Games.”
