The inclusion of esports as a special event in the UAAP is one of the most significant advancements for the esports scene, helping to shatter stereotypes and stigma surrounding the gaming community.
UAAP Season 87 Esports commissioner Monique Monasterio, a gamer herself, recognizes the monumental impact of this event on the esports scene in the country.
“I’m happy for the student-athletes who are able to participate this season, and definitely a little jealous! It goes without saying that this would not have been possible without the full support of the UAAP and its member schools,” she said.
“So to the schools, teachers, coaches, and managers, I’d like to express my gratitude for making this possible for the student-athletes.”
The inaugural edition of the tournaments will feature three titles – NBA2K24 for sports-based console gaming, Valorant for PC first-person shooter, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang for mobile multiplayer online battle arenas.
For National University Esports head coach Patrick Dhap Palacio, the acknowledgment of esports as part of the UAAP is a significant step towards raising awareness among parents about the nuances of esports and gaming.
(C) One Sports/Cignal
“Ito yung isa sa pinakahihintay naming opportunity kasi kadikit siya ng UAAP which is dikit ang UAAP sa mga parents. Yun yung isa sa pinakamagandang targetin pagdating sa esports,” said Palacio.
“Target the parents and if the parents see that UAAP is giving opportunity to students na maging varsity players din sila, magkaron ng scholarship and everything, mas mayayakap ng culture natin na okay lang pala maglaro yung mga anak nila dahil may chance sila na maging UAAP player and yun na rin yung magiging transition nila to pro.”
Gaming and esports have long been considered detrimental hobbies for students since they became popular among teenagers during the dawn of PC games in the early 2000s.
With recognition as an actual sport from the UAAP itself, this view might slowly change for the better in the future.
In addition to providing a platform for gamers to excel in the country’s premier collegiate league, the UAAP Esports Tournament is also a welcome development for University of the Philippines NBA2k head coach Al Timajo, who also serves as a coach under Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas’ E-Gilas program.
“Definitely makakatulong siya sa E-Gilas under SBP lalo na magkakaron ng awareness na merong NBA2k na pwedeng maging daan para maging career option ng mga bata,” said Timajo of the UAAP Esports Tournament.
“Di lang tinitignan yung NBA2k na simpleng laro na magtatago ka pa sa magulang mo para makalaro. Ngayon, magiging varsity ka na. Magkakaron ka pa ng privileges ng isang varsity player.”
Commissioner Monasterio wholeheartedly agrees.
“On the other hand, this development could not have come at a more perfect time, especially because just three weeks ago, the International Olympic Committee announced its partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025,” she said.
“Esports has really come a long way, and we hope that introducing it in the UAAP will help us discover more world-class esports athletes.”
The groundbreaking UAAP Esports Tournament will open on Tuesday, August 13 at Areté, Ateneo de Manila University with the NBA2K24 and Valorant tournaments. The MLBB event will begin on Saturday, August 17.
The games will be broadcast on One Sports’ YouTube channel, Pilipinas Live, the Varsity Channel, and One Sports.
