The student-athletes who represented the Philippines in the just-concluded 32nd Southeast Asian Games will be honored as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 formally closes its curtains on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Leading the league’s 73 student-athletes who participated in the biennial games in Cambodia is Adamson University men’s basketball star Jerom Lastimosa, a vital cog in the Gilas “Redeem Team” that reclaimed the gold medal.
The Philippines, with 58 golds, surpassed its 52-gold haul in Hanoi last year, along with 85 silvers and 117 bronzes.
Among the UAAP athletes who won golds were De La Salle University swimmer Xiandi Chua, the women’s Most Valuable Player who set a new SEA Games record in the women’s 200-meter backstroke with a time of two minutes and 13.20 seconds.
National University taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, also an MVP, completed a three-peat after dominating the men’s -54kg division.
University of Santo Tomas poomsae exponents Maria Nicole Labayne and Aidalane Laxa were triumphant in the recognized team female category.
Mecca Cortizano, a member of University of the East athletics team, topped the obstacle course racing women’s team relay, while Erika Burgos from the University of the Philippines women’s swimming team emerged victorious in the mixed relay aquathlon.
During the ceremony, the league will award the Athlete of the Year in Team and Individual Sports in the High School and College Divisions, as well as the High School and College General Champions.
The high school and collegiate athlete scholars from the eight member-schools will also be honored.
Adamson University will then pass on the hosting responsibilities to UE, which will oversee Season 86.
Prior to the closing ceremony, the streetdance competition will make a return at 2 p.m., with La Salle Dance Company-Street, the most recent champions in 2019, performing third.
NU Dance Company will be the first in the order, followed by FEU Street Alliance. UST-Prime will be fourth in line, followed by the Company of Ateneo Dancers, UP Streetdance Club and Adamson University Dance Company-Street.
In the high school division, UST-Galvanize will defend its title against Adamson University Dance Company-Street SHS and FEU-X.
