CAPAS, Tarlac — With grit and determination, University of the Philippines held off relentless Far Eastern University to clinch the UAAP Men’s Athletics crown in the Season 87 meet at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here.
The Fighting Maroons tallied 290 points, edging out the Tamaraws by a slim four-point margin to secure their 21st men’s championship and their second overall title of the season, following their triumph in women’s badminton.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga athletes natin na binigay nila ‘yung kanilang 100 percent, ‘yung dedication nila, and ‘yung sacrifices,” said UP head coach Rio Dela Cruz.
“Hindi namin ‘to inaasahan pero ito naman talaga ‘yung goal namin. Before mag-start, sinabi ko na sa kanila na, ‘I think we have a chance if you give your all.’ Alam namin na nag-prepare naman kami and i-enjoy lang nila. And true enough, nangyari naman ‘to.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ed Deliña spearheaded UP’s campaign by dominating the men’s hammer throw with a winning distance of 49.41 meters, leaving UST’s John Nicholan Pangan (42.81 meters) and Jhon Laurenze Ballelos (42.08 meters) in his wake.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Josh Buenavista added a silver for UP in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:31.67, finishing just behind FEU’s Alfrence Braza, who was named the season’s Most Valuable Player after crossing the finish line at 9:30.93.
Renz Cruz of NU claimed bronze at 9:37.44.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
FEU had its moments of brilliance, particularly in the 110-meter hurdles, where Timothy Okolo struck gold with a time of 14.58 seconds, besting UE’s Edgie Garbin and UST’s John Celestino Romero in a tightly contested finish.
However, their campaign fell short in the critical 4×400-meter relay, where the quartet of Okolo, Andreas Womack, Gervickson Labora, and Jazzpeer Arcenal settled for bronze with a time of 3:17.23.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The gold in the relay event went to NU, as John Lloyd Cabalo, Khenneth Simtim, John Masuhol, and Orly Orongan shattered the league record with a blazing time of 3:14.00, eclipsing UP’s 2018 mark of 3:17.04.
However, UP’s consistency across events ensured the championship stayed in Diliman.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST completed the podium with 236 points, while Ateneo’s Hassan Lorana was named Rookie of the Year in the men’s division.
