Even though it’s just a demonstration event, UAAP esports is a big deal to many people.
Esports has arrived at UAAP season 87 and it’s a momentous occasion for many of its student athletes. The demonstration event will go from August 13-21 at the Arete, Ateneo de Manila University, and will feature MLBB, Valorant, and NBA 2K.
“I thought that this would never happen,” said Lance Veyonce C. Clemente, team captain of UP Diliman’s Valorant team. “I thought esports was a pipedream, something you do for fun. I never thought it would become such a huge market with such a competitive atmosphere.”
This was a common sentiment among the student-athletes we asked, that UAAP esports would never happen.
Others however feel like it was about time that it’s here. “Di kami surprised kasi isa kami sa mga pumipilit ng esports sa UAAP,” said Arjohn Rainier M. Roxas, team captain of the University of Santo Tomas MLBB team. “Halos life’s work sa mga ibang Thomasians ang pagkakaroon ng esports sa UAAP. Excited kami na lahat ng pinaghirapn ng mga ibang Teletigers ay natutupad ngayon.”
The two sentiments somewhat go hand-in-hand. For those who enjoy playing video games, esports is a phenomenon that’s impossible to ignore. The Philippines also has a noticeable footprint in the wider world of esports and yet despite that, esports seems to lack that institutional acknowledgment that makes it “legit” in the eyes of many.
Hopefully, that’ll change with its debut in UAAP season 87.
Higher Stakes and A Different Level of Competition
Of course, now that esports is part of the UAAP, these student-athletes are playing for something more than just their own personal pride. Before, they represented their schools in some capacity as the esports/gaming club or org of that school. Now, they’re officially representing them in one of the most prestigious athletic associations in the country. It may seem like a simple shift in titles, but it means so much more to these players.
“We’re definitely practicing more and taking practice more seriously,” said Aaron Sablay, team captain of the De La Salle University Valorant Team. “We try to learn something from every scrimmage and we watch professional games as much as possible so we can apply what they do to our own games.”
“Everyone has a lot more motivation,” said Joaquin Angelo S. Antonio, team captain of the Ateneo de Manila University Valorant team. “Everyone has school pride and no one wants to disappoint. Just being under the ADMU banner means that everyone has something to prove.”
And when you add school rivalries into the mix, the pressure and drive to improve becomes even greater.
More than anything, however, the UAAP has given these student athletes an opportunity to show that esports is more than just kids playing games. “We’ll be able to show off our talents and the months and years of dedication we put into this game,” said DLSU’s Sablay.
“It’s a huge thing, especially for us competitors,” said UP’s Clemente. “A lot of people don’t see it yet but I don’t hold it against them. The UAAP gave us this opportunity, so now we can show everyone just how great esports is.”
Banner photo from Dark League Studios.