THROUGHOUT ITS tenure as a member of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Ateneo de Manila University has established itself as one of the prominent collegiate athletic programs in the country. Since joining the association in 1978, the Ateneo has produced unforgettable moments, from multiple championships to jaw-dropping performances. The University has also been the home of world-class athletes who would go on to don the national colors on the international stage.

However, in its 45 seasons in the UAAP, the Loyola Heights-based institution has yet to bag the highest plum in the association: the overall general championship. Ateneo remains one of only two member schools alongside Adamson University (AdU) that have not nabbed this singular honor.

As the Blue and White continues its relentless pursuit of excellence across the various disciplines it competes in, the University consistently remains in the top three of the championship race. While the Blue Eagles continue their journey toward overall glory, its student-athletes remain committed to attaining this while balancing both academic and athletic excellence.

All-around excellence

For every Blue Eagle squad working tirelessly to produce the best results in the UAAP, hoisting the trophy at the end of it all is the culmination of an arduous and laborious process. The outcome owes to the excellence of not just the players, but of the architects who constructed their successful programs. Clinching the general championship would be the pinnacle of these coaches’ and directors’ enduring dedication over multiple years, honoring the overall quality of each team with the support of the school’s University Athletics Office (UAO).

For bagging the overall crown, Ateneo’s additional advantage is its constant participation in all events of the league. Along with the Ateneo, De La Salle University (DLSU), University of the Philippines (UP), and University of Santo Tomas (UST) are the only schools that send squads for all sports in the UAAP calendar. The result of these universities’ routine participation is evident in how they finished in the top four in eight instances over the last nine seasons.

Even with this consistency, the general championship has an additional purpose for the league apart from simply crowning the best overall program. This award ensures competitiveness in all disciplines by enticing schools to not just participate, but to perform on par with the frontrunners. With the current UAAP collegiate calendar now featuring 16 regular sports in 31 divisions, the task of achieving the elusive crown has evolved to become more challenging over time.

With an ever-expanding league, participating schools cannot simply be satisfied with maintaining a handful of successful programs. In order to topple the current dynasty of reigning six-peat champions UST, challengers must also develop and cater to all of their collegiate teams in their respective tournaments.

Close calls

With 46 overall titles, the España-based institution currently holds dominance in the league, while a handful of member schools—such as the Ateneo—have come close to claiming the top spot every year. 

From UAAP Seasons 76 and 78, the Blue and White placed in the top three both in the points category and in the medal tally with five titles each. DLSU nabbed the overall title in two of those three years, with UST nabbing Season 77. Notably, both institutions have been the top two in the general championship race in recent years.

Fast forward to Season 81, Ateneo landed joint third alongside UP with 237 points apiece. Aside from another double crown in swimming and titles in Men’s Basketball and Women’s Badminton, the Blue Eagles also captured gold in Men’s Football, Women’s Volleyball, and Women’s Fencing. Ultimately, UST nabbed its third-straight title, fueled by golden doubles in three sports and various runner-up finishes.

In Ateneo’s hosting of Season 82, the Blue Eagles finished in third place with 162 points and was second in the medal tally with four gold medals. These successes were courtesy of the golden double by the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team, the Ateneo Women’s Badminton Team’s second-straight championship, and the three-peat clinching Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team. 

UST eventually copped its fourth consecutive title in said season with 209 points and five championships, with golden doubles in Volleyball and Table Tennis, and a Men’s Judo title. Multiple podium finishes also boosted the España-based school’s title bid. 

These instances are a testament to the Blue and White’s contending ability in every UAAP season in recent years. While Ateneo initially led the race during the first semester of Season 86, with multiple podium finishes, the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team’s eighth straight title in Men’s Swimming, and the badminton double crown, a lot still needs to be done to finally secure the throne.

Tall order

Ateneo’s quest to bag this elusive title will certainly be a massive but attainable undertaking. One stepping stone towards this goal is the full support of the offices in charge of overseeing the Blue Eagles’ success. Ateneo Judo Team Head Coach Ali Sulit expressed his gratitude to the UAO for being a key pillar in Ateneo’s sporting success.

“I’m very thankful that we have a very active and supportive UAO, and of course, all the sub-offices underneath that,” shared Sulit, who also serves as Philippine Judo Federation (PJF) President.

Moreover, Ateneo Badminton Head Coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles echoed the efforts of said offices and the teams to help the student-athletes balance excellence, both in the classroom and the field of play. According to the veteran tactician, the heart of extending a helping hand, whether through tutorials or other means for each other’s growth, is the beauty of the Ateneo community as a whole.

Asuncion-Robles also mentioned that integral to gaining the general championship is for teams to align their goals toward such a vision. However, she states that understandably, this goal will not be achieved overnight, as it took the Badminton teams ten years to repeat their double crown.

“We look for inspiration from each other, kumbaga sana maka-inspire kami sa ibang sports, na kayang isabay ang men and women [excelling, and] at the same time, nai-inspire din kami with the other sports na kayang mag-seven-peat or more,” Asuncion-Robles shared.

(We look for inspiration from each other, we hope to inspire other sports [teams] with both our men’s and women’s teams [excelling, and] at the same time, we’re also inspired by the other sports [teams] who are able to achieve a seven-peat or more.)

If ever the Blue and White wins the overall title, the result will be a historic first for the University that will be looked back on with an endearing legacy. “Imagine, what if we do [win the general title]? You will have a fantastic story, and the story will be how each of the individual sports contributed to [making] that happen,” Sulit notes.

Constantly raking in podium finishes in various sports, the University seems to finally be on the cusp of capturing the title. However, as Asuncion-Robles mentioned, there should be no rush to deliver right away.

Winning teams take time to cultivate, but as the Ateneo continues to support its athletics program, the glory will be much sweeter knowing that it started with decades of tough recruitment and strong development.