REVISITING ATENEO’S sporting milestones for the AY 2025–2026, The GUIDON and the Office of College Athletics hosted the 2026 Ateneo Athletes’ Night Awards (AANA) to celebrate the closing of another eventful year for the Blue Eagles. The event was held yesterday, May 19, at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater.

Vice President for Mission Integration Benjamin Gerardo Tolosa, Jr., PhD opened the event by expressing his profound gratitude to the student athletes who have been a part of the Ateneo’s holistic vision for the sports community.

The first leg of awards began shortly after the opening remarks, kicking off the thrilling segment with the Student Manager of the Year honors. Out of five nominees, Malena Perez of the Men’s Football Team was recognized for her exemplary contribution to the Blue Eagles’ athletic journey.

Following this, Coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles of the Badminton teams was awarded with the inaugural Coach of the Year title, after spearheading a double-crown championship in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88.

For the first athletic award presented, the Breakout Athlete of the Year was conferred to the Women’s Football Team’s Jada Bicierro after her standout performance in UAAP Season 88 that earned her the Best Striker title.

Following a brief intermission, the second set of awards were given, starting with the Game of the Year, awarded to the Men’s Track and Field Team for their gold-medal performance in the UAAP 4×400 Relay.

Shortly after his teammates received their trophy, Russel Ricaforte rounded out the second set of awards by taking home Performance of the Year honors. Notably, the Men’s Track and Field team captain set a new national record, new UAAP record and won a bronze medal in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, all in discus throw events.

Following the second leg, the Breakout Team of the Year Award was then given to the Men’s 3×3 Basketball Team after their first medal finish since UAAP Season 81, with members Shawn Tuano and Thirdy Ebdane representing the team on stage.

Before awarding the final set of awards, the AANA celebrated the teams who obtained podium finishes, starting with the Women’s Football Team, who returned to the podium after an eight-year drought.

The Men’s Beach Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Women’s 3×3 Basketball, Women’s Blitz Chess, Men’s Judo Teams, were also recognized for their bronze-medal finishes.

Rounding out the bronze medal winners were the Men’s Taekwondo and Men’s Golf Teams, with the latter garnering their first-ever podium finish in the inaugural UAAP Men’s Golf Tournament.

The next part of the recognition were the silver medalists, starting with the Men’s Table Tennis and Men’s 3×3 Basketball Teams. Rounding out the silver medalists were the Women’s Golf and Women’s Swimming Teams, with the Women’s Golf Team also nabbing their debut podium finish in the Women’s Golf Tournament.

Finally, the AANA acknowledged the phenomenal feats of the championship teams for UAAP Season 88. Firstly, the Badminton Teams were called up on stage to celebrate their double-crown achievement after an eventful Season 88. Next, the Men’s Swimming Team was recognized for their 10th straight UAAP gold. On stage, team member Ivo Enot remarked that the team is dead set on the goal of defending their title and winning their 11th consecutive title in Season 89.

In the last leg of awards, the awarding culminated with the Female and Male Blue Eagle of the Year Awards. The Badminton Teams dominated this section, with Team Captains Mika De Guzman and Lyrden Laborte nabbing their respective awards.

University President Roberto Yap, SJ then gave closing remarks, congratulating and commending the athletes for the year that transpired. Finally, a rendition of the Song for Mary formally concluded the night, with a hearty dinner following the awards.