New Clark City lights up again as UAAP Swimming, Athletics Championships kick off

The road to UAAP glory once again runs through Capas, Tarlac.

For the second straight year, event sub-host Ateneo de Manila University brings the UAAP Season 88 Swimming and Athletics Championships to the world-class New Clark City Sports Hub, where the league’s finest swimmers and track stars will chase history beginning Thursday.

After the resounding success of last season’s staging, Ateneo returns to the home of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, a fitting venue for a new generation of UAAP legends in the making.

In the pool, Ateneo is out to defend its double championship in collegiate swimming, with reigning MVPs Miguel Barreto and Mishka Sy leading the Blue Eagles in the four-day tilt that runs until Sunday, November 9, supported by Masiv Sports, CF Moto, and Nike Swim.

Barreto anchors the men’s squad reinforced by Palarong Pambansa champions TJ Amaro and Paolo Labanon, as they seek a historic 10th consecutive title—one of the longest championship streaks in UAAP history.

Sy, meanwhile, will spearhead the women’s drive for back-to-back crowns and their eighth overall.

But Ateneo’s title defense won’t come easy.

The return of University of the Philippines national record holders Joshua Ang and Thanya Dela Cruz—the latter a former Blue Eagle—adds intrigue to the race for gold.

De La Salle University, bannered by SEA Games-bound Alexander Chu and Rookie of the Year Mikaela Talosig, and University of Santo Tomas, led by seniors Jules Mirandilla and Shairinne Floriano, are also primed to shake up the leaderboard with a new wave of rookies.

On the track, UP and Far Eastern University will defend their men’s and women’s athletics titles, respectively, in a five-day showcase running until Monday, November 10, at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium and Training Field, also backed by Masiv Sports and CF Moto.

With the Athletics Stadium now serving as the home of the Philippine national football teams and AFC-sanctioned events, only the javelin throw will remain inside the main stadium, while other throwing events move to the adjacent field.

Season 85 and 86 MVP Alhryan Labita leads the Fighting Maroons’ quest for a record-extending 22nd championship in what could be his final UAAP campaign, while Annie Mercurio powers FEU’s bid for a league-best 26th women’s crown.

Challenging them are reigning MVP Alfrence Braza and the rest of the Tamaraws, who narrowly missed last year’s title by just four points, as well as Season 86 champion National University, now boosted by High School Boys MVP Kharis Pantonial.

UST, Adamson, UE, and Ateneo are also poised to contend across multiple events.

On the women’s side, De La Salle University, led by former UST standout Lyka Raterta, looks to reclaim its Season 86 title, while UST’s Jeanne Arnibal and Azeneth Serat aim to keep the Lady Tracksters in the championship conversation.

UP, UE, and NU round out the field in pursuit of podium finishes.

In the high school division, UST stands as the defending powerhouse, holding three titles at the New Clark City Sports Hub—the golden double in swimming and the boys’ athletics crown.

The Junior Tiger Sharks and Junior Lady Tiger Sharks aim for a fifth straight sweep, while the Junior Tiger Tracksters go for back-to-back glory and their sixth overall championship.

Meanwhile, UE defends the high school girls’ athletics title behind Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Sep Placido, while PAREF Southridge School, fresh from its guest stint in boys’ football, joins the fray in boys’ swimming for the first time.

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