By: Jerod Orcullo
University of Santo Tomas and National University secured the top seeds in their respective groups with dominant performances on the final day of the UAAP Season 87 Esports tournament group stages, Thursday at the Quantum Skyview Deck of Gateway 2 Mall in Araneta City.
The Teletigers completed a perfect sweep in Group A, capping their run with a hard-fought 2-0 win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
“Of course I told the team na maganda nga na nag 6-0 kami, we are the top of our group pero hindi pa tapos yung laban eh. As of now, we don’t know who we’re up against, pero we just have to stay extra focused, stay determined, stay humble,” said Teletigers head coach Miggy Arayata.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs overpowered the UP Fighting Maroons with a clean 2-0 sweep to finish with eight points atop Group B heading into the semifinals.
“Hindi muna siguro namin iniisip yung finals kasi dadaanan pa namin yung semis eh, parang one step at a time lang kami. Then also yung momentum na nakuha namin from the group stage, dadalhin namin for tomorrow,” said Bulldogs head coach Carlo Balanquit.
The semifinals kick off on Friday at 11:00 AM, with NU taking on the FEU Tamaraws Esports, followed by the clash between UST and the DLSU Green Aces at 1:30 PM.
The Finals will take place at 4:30 PM.
All matches will be broadcast live on the Pilipinas Live app and the UAAP Varsity Channel.
Calvin Ortega, UST’s breakout rookie, showcased his mechanical prowess in the opening game, with his signature Fanny pick tallying 10 kills and three assists in 16 minutes and 32 seconds of action.
Ateneo attempted to break UST’s rhythm in the second game, debuting Estes and Masha in the tournament to force a potential decider.
Early on, the strategy seemed to pay off, as Aaron Sze’s Masha led the charge with four kills and two assists. However, UST’s experience and composure turned the tide with a pivotal four-man takedown following an attempted base siege by Ateneo at the 17:50 mark.
Benjamin Lukban sealed the win and earned MVP honors for the game, with his Irithel posting six kills and 11 assists to complete the sweep.
Despite facing a winless opponent, NU maintained its high level of play and dismantled the Fighting Maroons in both games.
“I’m very pleased naman sa performance namin today. Props to UP, pinakita parin nila yung best nila in spite na eliminated na sila. Hindi naman kami nakampante. Sa totoo nga, nag-review kami ng mga games nila, tsaka may mga dineny kaming mga picks para sa kanila na ginamit namin ngayong araw,” Balanquit shared.
NU snowballed early in the opening game, capitalizing on two quick deaths from David Sañejo within the first two minutes. The Bulldogs built a massive 13,000 gold lead in just 10 minutes. James Blas was named MVP after a standout performance on Luo Yi, finishing with 13 assists and six kills.
NU carried the momentum into the second game, where an unconventional Freya jungle pick led them to a swift 10-minute and 25-second win.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University clinched the second seed in Group A after a gritty sweep of Adamson University.
Justine Wage powered the Tamaraws to victory in Game 1, with his Harith delivering nine kills and eight assists in 23 minutes and four seconds. He followed it up with another MVP-worthy outing in Game 2, recording nine takedowns and seven assists to send FEU to the semifinals against NU.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Completing the Final Four cast, De La Salle University knocked out defending champions University of the East with a convincing 2-0 sweep.
Gabriel Sanchez led the charge for the Green Aces, registering eight kills and eight assists without a single death in the 21-minute and 59-second opener. La Salle then closed out the series with the fastest game of the tournament so far — just 9 minutes and 59 seconds — behind Joshua Tating’s Suyou, who tallied seven kills and one assist.
