THE ATENEO Track and Field (ATF) Teams left a lasting impression on the final day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 Athletics Tournament. The action-packed climax took place yesterday, November 9, at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
With all events in the books, the final medal tally of the Men’s Team stood at four gold, four silver, and one bronze medal, with a total count of 150 points to finish fifth overall. This tally marked the best performance of the Men’s squad since the adoption of the current point system.
On the other hand, the Women’s Team maintained its 15-point tally, concluding their stint in eighth place for the Women’s Division.
Decathlon
Beginning with the battle of endurance, Chonel Okolo got things going for the decathlon. In a grueling two-day showcase of ten events testing speed and stamina, the sophomore standout accumulated a total of 5,028 points to finish sixth overall.
Shot Put
Following the Decathlon was the Women’s Shot Put, in which Yden Faith Candelario represented Ateneo in the field.
Candelario logged a best throw of 9.04, which placed her in 13th in the final standings of the event.
Long Jump
Concurrent with the shot put event, Rhea Antonette Lego participated in the Women’s Long Jump, where she posted 5.32 meters as her best jump to finish ninth in the event for the Blue Eagles. Also competing in the same dash, Jonalyn Halasan posted a 16th-place finish after clearing 4.98 meters.
Hammer Throw (7.26kg)
What followed was a test of strength, wherein the Blue and White called upon the services of Doy Costelo, Mantosh Hansra, Denver Tacay, and Airex Villanueva to take part in the hammer throw.
Once the dust settled, Tacay emerged as the highest placed Blue Eagle, notching a fifth place after registering 40.44 meters. Costelo followed close behind in seventh with a mark of 38.48 meters.
Also turning in solid performances were Hansra, who secured ninth with 35.68 meters, and Villanueva, who placed 11th after throwing for 33.41 meters.
Discus Throw (2kg)
The day’s activities shifted to the Discus throw, where Tacay, Villanueva, Costelo, alongside stalwart Russel Ricaforte, donned the Ateneo colors.
Ricaforte, who earlier struck gold in the Men’s Shot Put, added one more magical moment to close out his collegiate career, recording 52.62 meters on his best throw—setting a new UAAP record and securing his second gold medal of the championships, just days after nearly breaking the meet record in the shot put.
The gold gave 15 points for the Blue and White in the overall points tally.
Meanwhile, Tacay managed to eke a 41.64 throw to settle for 4th in the standings, whilst securing eight points in the overall points ladder.
Villanueva also contributed four points in the ladder after finishing sixth with a best throw of 39.06 meters.
Rounding up the standings is Costelo, who registered 29.47 meters as his best throw, finishing 16th overall in the category.
400M Hurdles
Moving on, one-and-done Er Yake Mengorio took on the track in the 400m Hurdles for the Blue Eagles.
In what would be his final individual race for Ateneo, Mengorio did not disappoint as he clocked 53.84 seconds, securing silver and 12 valuable points for the Blue and White.
4×400 Meter Relay
Seeking to ride the momentum already built earlier, the quartet of Theo Angeles, Hassan Loraña, Hussein Loraña, and Mengorio stepped onto the track in the Men’s 4×400 Meter Relay final to end the day’s activities.
After having a neck-and-neck start to the race with Angeles as the first runner, Mengorio broke away on the first baton handoff, giving Ateneo a brief lead midway into the race. However, things got tight after the second handoff.
Hassan was able to create separation halfway through his run, but the gap closed coming into the final handoff, where Hussein was able to fend off a run that gave Ateneo its first 4×400-meter gold since Season 77. The historic victory also added 15 points to the Blue Eagles’ points tally.
Ateneo throwers Coach Arniel Ferrera cited that aside from continuous and consistent training, engraining the mentality of teamwork and a united culture was just as pivotal to their success this season:
“Yung guidance ko lagi, [at] ‘pag sama-sama tayo, ‘pag lahat malakas, mas madali natin [ma]achieve ang mataas na performance.”
(My constant guidance, and when we are all together, when everyone is strong, it is easier for us to achieve a high performance.)
Throughout the tournament, the Blue Eagles showcased remarkable resilience and grit, especially in the moments that mattered most. Compared to previous seasons, the Blue and White have made significant strides, concluding the season with a performance that truly showcases the Ateneo way.
Men’s Standings – Points:
- NU Bulldogs – 298.5
- FEU Tamaraws – 272.25
- UP Fighting Maroons- 213.25
- UST Tiger Tracksters – 205
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 150
- AdU Soaring Falcons– 90.25
- UE Red Warriors – 70
- DLSU Green Tracksters – 52.25
Women’s Standings – Points:
- FEU Lady Tamaraws- 373.5
- UST Lady Tracksters – 242
- DLSU Lady Tracksters– 217.75
- UP Fighting Maroons – 184
- UE Lady Warriors – 175.75
- AdU Lady Falcons – 83
- NU Lady Bulldogs – 62.5
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 15
