POWERING THROUGH the sports adversities faced during AY 2022–2023, the Office of College Athletics and The GUIDON Sports hosted the 25th Annual Athletes’ Night yesterday, May 26, at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater.
This special evening is dedicated to recognizing and commending the athletic endeavors undertaken by the student-athletes, coaches, managers, and staff in their attempt to bring honor to Ateneo’s name this past academic year.
“All that (success) was no mean feat that needed strength, coordination, and agility as well,” remarked Vice President for the Loyola Schools Maria Luz C. Vilches, PhD on Ateneo’s hard-fought successes.
A night of gratitude
To commemorate the hard work put on by the athletes, University President Roberto “Bobby” Yap, SJ acknowledged the “incredible feats of strength, speed, endurance, discipline, grit, and grace” that the student-athletes have displayed all year long.
This year, the Blue and White hailed three champions in the recently concluded University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85: Men’s Basketball, Men’s Swimming, and Women’s Badminton.
Moreover, Ateneo’s silver medalists in Men’s Lawn Tennis, Men’s Football, Men’s Table Tennis, and Men’s Badminton were also commended for their unrelenting pursuit of excellence.
Finally, the Women’s 3×3 Basketball, Men’s Fencing, Women’s Swimming, Men’s Beach Volleyball, Women’s Table Tennis, Women’s Chess, and Taekwondo Poomsae teams were likewise admired for their tremendous efforts in earning bronze medals this athletic year.
Aside from athletic achievements, Levi’s co-presented the Best Dressed Awards, which Blue Babble Battalion’s Ysabel Bautista and Track and Field’s Isaiah Yu won for their dapper attire. Additionally, Men’s Judo’s Yvan Ayalin and Elijah Claravall were given the Early Bird Award, co-presented by GetBlued, for being the earliest to come in yesterday’s festivities.
Sportspersons for-and-with-others
This season, notable Blue Eagles asserted the Ateneo’s mission of forming service-oriented persons to the realm of sports.
The Student-Manager of the Year Award was given to Blue Babble Battalion’s Sam Dela Fuente. Her presence and unwavering dedication sustained Babble’s synergy to energize the Ateneo community in various meets.
Piercing through rough tides in national colors, FAST Ateneo Men’s Swimming Team member Joshua Del Rio received the Makabayan Award for honoring the country. As a member of the Philippine Open Water Swimming Team, Del Rio emerged as the champion of both the Asian Championships of Oceanman 10k and the Philippine National Age Group 1500-meter freestyle.
Taking the Battle of Katipunan to different heights, the Game of the Year was awarded to the final match of the Blue Eagles against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Finals. Ateneo’s star center, Ange Kouame, was hailed as the Male Blue Eagle of the Year in salutation for his hearty contribution to reclaiming the UAAP crown.
The Men’s Table Tennis Team was recognized as the Most Improved Team after securing a silver medal this season—their first-ever appearance in a UAAP final and also their first-ever UAAP podium finish.
Celebrating women in sports
Ateneo handed four of its annually distinct awards to the notable women whose discipline translated into school pride. Genesis Degollacion of Ateneo Softball was named the Step-up of the Year winner for rising to the challenge and producing most of the team’s home runs.
Meanwhile, Chanelle Lunod of the Women’s Badminton Team was the distinguished Female Blue Eagle of the Year following her stellar display of spirit and athleticism in her Season 85 Badminton stint.
The Women’s Chess Team made the Comeback of the Year by clinching overall bronze with the help of two individual gold medals from Kristine Flores and Alexis Oseña.
Lastly, Kacey Dela Rosa of the Women’s Basketball Team produced the Performance of the Year by averaging 2o points, 16 boards, and three blocks in her first six games this season; Dela Rosa’s ability to read opponent tactics proved to be a perfect addition to the team.
As the University reminisces on the school year that has been, the Ateneo community looked at the stories of its student-athletes, coaches, administrators, managers, and staff as inspirations for seasons to come.
