Student-athletes set to represent the Philippines in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games took center stage to mark the start of UAAP Season 82 on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
National team fencer Maxine Esteban led the oath of sportsmanship in front of more than a hundred student-athletes from all member schools, who provided an illustrious sight to highlight other sports aside from basketball and volleyball.
"It's not just basketball, it's not just volleyball. That's why we're all here. We are first a community before we are competitors. We celebrate each other. We see our rival and we say thank you because you make me not just better athlete, but a better person," Ateneo president Fr. Jett Villamin said.
Ateneo hosts this UAAP season with the theme "All for More" and will hand out trophies and medals made from scrap metals from Marawi and other materials made from Taal.
Spongecola, Karylle and The Itchyworms provided colorful performances to grace the opening festivities. Autotelic and IV of Spades also played to the delight of the audience.
"I hope the direction of our energy, of our effort and of our athleticism is not just for self, not for teammate, not for school, but for country, for God," he added. "We're always asked to do the better thing, the greater choice. Every victory, every defeat, will be more than ourselves."
Aside from Esteban, Ateneo will be represented by Jarvey Gayoso (Football), Jessie Lacuna (Swimming), Francis Agojo (Taekwondo), Pauline Lopez (Taekwondo), Maxine Esteban (Fencing), and Jaime Viceo (Fencing) in the SEA Games.
Adamson University will have Joyme Sequita (Track and Field), Bryan Castillo (Baseball), Steven Manaig (Baseball), Arianne Vallestero (Softball), Ezra Jalandoni (Softball), Angela Gabriel (Softball), Mary Joy Maguad (Softball), and Nicole Padasas (Softball).
De La Salle University has the most representation, with Darylle Lumahan (Fencing), Nicole Albo (Badminton), Irish Navaja (Football), Sara Castaneda (Football), Chelo Hodges (Football), Rocelle Mendano (Football), Alisha Del Campo (Football), Angel Carino (Track and Field), Melissa Escoton (Track and Field), Daniela Daynata (Track and Field), Jessel Lumapas (Track and Field), Alvin Vergel (Track and Field), Francis Obiena (Track and Field), Raphael Mella (Poomsae), Patrick Perez (Poomsae), Rinna Babanto (Poomsae), Arvin Herrera (Baseball), Diego Lozano (Baseball), Iggy Escano (Baseball), and Julius Diaz (Softball) all seeing action.
Far Eastern University's contingent is made up of Jelly Paragile (Track and Field), Joida Gagnao (Track and Field), Shania Mendoza (Chess), Darry Bernardo (Chess), Clare Castro (Basketball), Mary Lam (Football), Pocholo Bugas (Football) and John Saldivar (Football).
Jack Animam (Basketball) will lead National University alongside Ricky Marcos (Volleyball), Joshua Retimar (Volleyball), Kurt Barbosa (Taekwondo) and Nick Garces (Taekwondo).
Fencers Samantha Catantan, Queen Dalmacio, Mickyle Bustos, Nicole Cortey, Shawn Felipe, Reynaldo Perez, and Christian Concepcion will represent University of the East, while Judokas John Ferrer, Gabriel Salazar, and Zarchic Garay complete University of the Philippines' group.
University of Santo Tomas, meanwhile, is represented by Dither Tablan (Judo), Chino Sy (Judo), Czar Bayas (Judo), Khrizzie Pabulayan (Judo), Sydney Sy (Judo), Juan Pingot (Judo), Ann Antolihao (Softball), CJ Roa (Softball), and Celestine Palma (Softball).