AFTER a whole year of relentless, breathtaking sporting action, the UAAP is ready to wrap up Season 87 with a grand closing ceremony today, May 20, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Season 87 was undeniably spectacular and one of the best seasons in recent history. From nail-biting close games to overpowering blowout victories, this year has been nothing short of outstanding.
As announced, the festivities will begin at 3:00 p.m., prior to the well-known multi-sport collegiate league’s official closing ceremony, by putting the Streetdance Competition in the limelight first.
The closing ceremony will then begin with the awarding of the season’s General Champions and Athletes of the Year, as well as the official transfer of hosting duties from the University of the Philippines to the University of Santo Tomas.
Historic Season
The season began in September with an exhilarating performance by the famed OPM band Eraserheads and ended last Saturday with a historic men’s volleyball finale in front of a record-breaking audience of 14,517.
The fans watched National University’s fifth consecutive title over Far Eastern University. Furthermore, the Sampaloc squad completed their second consecutive golden double in volleyball, with both the men’s and women’s teams winning back-to-back titles.
In basketball, the UP Fighting Maroons reclaimed the men’s title against Kevin Quiambao’s De La Salle University, while the NU Lady Bulldogs completed their redemption arc in the women’s league.
FEU retained its golden status in collegiate football, winning both the men’s and women’s tournaments. UST made history in table tennis by winning all four divisions for the first time in league history.
Meanwhile, the NU Pep Squad won their seventh cheerleading championship, tying the UP Pep Squad and UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe for the most titles in UAAP history.
In the esports scene, La Salle dominated the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and VALORANT competitions, while Ateneo defended its NBA2K title for the second straight season.
A Glorious Year
Meanwhile, there were plenty of great events in the juniors division that will go down in history this season.
The University of the East overcame a 39-year basketball title drought by winning the junior high school boys division, while the Tiger Cubs broke a 24-year drought by winning the boys basketball championship.
UST also ended FEU-Diliman’s domination in boys’ football, which witnessed a significant improvement this season with the addition of guest schools for the first time, when Southridge and Claret entered the league.
In girls volleyball, the Lady Bullpups reclaimed the crown, but the Junior Golden Spikers maintained their dominance in boys volleyball, preventing NU from winning all four titles this season.
On the sand court, NU and UST demonstrated their dominance. NU’s women’s and girls’ beach volleyball teams won their first championships, while UST’s men’s and boys’ teams won their respective divisions.
Recognizing The Athletes
For the first time ever, five Athletes of the Year will be recognized: a high school individual athlete, a high school team sport athlete, a college individual athlete, and male and female collegiate team sport athletes.
The concluding event will also honor the season’s Athlete Scholars and student-athletes who excelled at international tournaments.
To conclude the presentation, UP President Atty. Angelo “Jijil” Jimenez will formally hand over the UAAP banner to UST President, Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O. P.
