The NU men's athletics team in UAAP Season 88. UAAP Media
MANILA -- National University reclaimed the UAAP men's athletics crown in thrilling fashion, taking crucial wins in the final three days of competition in Season 88 at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
The Bulldogs won a breakthrough athletics championship in Season 86 but ceded it the next year upon the graduation of key members of their team.
They would not be denied in Season 88, amassing 298.5 points for its second title in three years.
It was NU's second UAAP title this year after their women's team won the chess crown.
"We really worked hard for this season, kasi nga 'yung pangarap namin noon na mag-back-to-back champion nung nakaraang taon ay naudlot kasi may mga players na hindi nakalaro kasi sa eligibility at dahil nga sa injuries," said NU head coach Fernan Dagasdas.
"This year, medyo maganda at walang injuries; dinasal namin 'to kay Lord na sana maging 100 percent kami para maging strong enough kami to regain the championship," he added.
With key veterans back in full health and bolstered by prized recruits from school transfers and the grassroots program, the Bulldogs recalibrated after lagging behind on the first day.
They took the lead on Saturday and then collected 100 points on the final day, powered by golds in the day's opening event, the 3,000-meter steeplechase, and the championships' final event, the decathlon.
Three NU athletes swept the steeplechase podium: Noli Torre led with 9:28.24, followed by 10,000 meters champion Rico Jay Patanao at 9:39.93, and Renz Cruz with 9:40.21.
Larry Taripe Jr. then sealed NU's return to the throne with a flourish, closing out the grueling decathlon with 5,779 points, including a victory in the final 1,500 meters stage.
FEU's Ronel Juntilla and Rolly Royo Jr. finished second and third with 5,522 and 5,444 points, respectively.
National University sweeps the podium in the UAAP Season 88 men's 3000-meter steeplechase. UAAP Media
The Tamaraws attempted to end an eight-year title drought but finished second with 272.25 points.
Ernie Calipay sparked FEU's comeback with a gold in the high jump at 2.05 meters, while Adamson University's Kurt Ragudos and NU's Kenn Lucero tied for silver at 1.90 meters. Jazzpeer Arcenal added another FEU gold in the 400-meter hurdles with 53.44 seconds, ahead of Ateneo's Er Yako Mengorio (53.84) and UP's Alhryan Labita (55.10).
Last year's champions, the UP Fighting Maroons, slipped to third with 213.25 points, following Labita's bronze in the 400m hurdles and Neil Jasper Salvador's silver in the discus throw.
Co-MVP Russel Ricaforte dominated the discus with a new meet record of 52.62 meters, breaking his own mark of 47.80 meters from last season. Salvador edged NU's Dominic Woodward for silver with 43.70 meters against 42.31.
Ricaforte, who also won the shot put on the meet's first day, shared the top student-athlete honor with UST's Hokett Delos Santos, who claimed the 110-meter hurdles in 14.80 seconds.
Delos Santos narrowly beat FEU's Joseph Antiola III (14.84) by just four milliseconds, while NU's Mark John Paculanang finished third at 15.08. UST added a second gold with Jhon Laurenze Ballelos winning the javelin at 47.33 meters. Fellow Thomasian John Nicholan Pangan was second at 43.51, narrowly ahead of Adamson's Daniel Rambacal (43.01). Godfrey Monzon and Rafael Ballelos finished fourth and sixth.
Ateneo's Hussein Lorana was named Rookie of the Year, following in the footsteps of his twin brother Hassan, last year's winner. Hussein won two golds and a silver in his debut season, including a gold in the 4x400-meter relay with the Lorana twins, Matthew Angeles, and Mengorio, clocking 3:14.85. NU finished second at 3:15.08, with UST third at 3:20.80.