By: Mizhcar Krishna A. Villanueva

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is making a significant advancement by introducing a new addition to its lineup for season 87: UAAP Esports. For many students, coaches, and professors, this would be classified as a “demonstration sport.” However, there is no guarantee that it will be featured in the UAAP list for next season. The addition of esports this year has generated a great deal of enthusiasm as well as optimism. Many members of the UAAP community are hopeful and praying that esports can achieve enough success to become a permanent fixture in the long term.

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With the inclusion of esports, new questions arise about esports player support. The competition attracts both students and professionals, raising issues about how universities will assist their esports athletes. UAAP is also undergoing a major transition, and how these issues are resolved could influence the future direction of UAAP in the coming seasons, including new opportunities and support for student-athletes.

FEU MLBB Team. Photo: Mario Alvaro Limos

Far Eastern University (FEU), one of the UAAP founding members, proudly showcases among its students the Tamaraw mascot. This symbol reflects their strength, knowledge, and dedication toward achieving their dreams. Reflecting the success of its UAAP sports teams, which usually strive for excellence, the TAMS FX radiates the same ambition and passion. Traditional sports as well as the growing esports field at FEU amply demonstrate the commitment to its potential.

The President of the ITamaraw Esports Club, Nadine Gumabao, explained in an interview that she is sharing the information to the best of her knowledge and is speaking on behalf of the organization. She said that although there have been talks about scholarships for esports players, the new position of esports in the UAAP limits the possibility of such scholarships at this period. She did, however, show hope that their efforts would allow esports to become an official UAAP sport in the future. Ms.Gumabao also hoped that esports players would finally be accepted as athletes and qualified for scholarships.

Far Eastern University does not currently offer scholarships to its esports athletes.

UST MLBB Team. Photo: Mario Alvaro Limos

For years, UST has always been a crowd favorite in UAAP competitions, and who can ever forget how reverberating the “GO USTE” cheer echoes across the stands? That same vibrant spirit has seeped into its esports team, which remains highly competitive in various tournaments, emerging with several championships. This success underscores the university’s excellence in both sports and esports, reflecting its strong commitment to achieving greatness in all competitive fields.

However, the university’s support for its esports players faces some limitations. According to Nicole Angela Paguio, Valorant Team Manager of the Teletiger Esports Club, there have been no discussions about providing scholarships to esports athletes. Currently, UST views UAAP Esports as an “exhibition sport” for the next three years. Despite this, the university remains dedicated to offering essential resources and guidance to the team, helping them stay competitive and focused in the rapidly evolving world of collegiate esports.

University of Santo Tomas does not currently offer scholarships to its esports athletes.

La Salle Esports Varsity Team. Photo: Gillian Franceska

De La Salle University’s stellar reputation and world-class education attract students from all across the country. Reflecting its commitment to academic excellence, athletic success, and competitive spirit, the university’s teams frequently excel in UAAP competitions. Given this impressive track record, it’s only natural to wonder if their esports team will achieve similar success.

Aaron Sablay, a student from De La Salle University and the Valorant team manager for Viridis Arcus Esports, mentioned that there have been discussions regarding scholarships for those who take part in UAAP esports.

Sablay happily shared some thoughts about the team’s aims and scholarships for UAAP Esports.

“we’re definitely anticipating [Scholarship] it, but for now, talagang, like, focus kami sa select winning muna sa competition rather than focusing like – benefits” He said.

Yet, based on his own viewpoint, De La Salle University will not be the only institution providing scholarships if UAAP esports continues; other schools will also offer them if UAAP esports show its stability and success this season.

De La Salle University does not currently offer scholarships to its esports athletes.

NU MLBB Team. Photo: Mario Alvaro Limos

Students at National University Manila garner overwhelming support when they play sports. The university yields a strong reputation for excelling at many sports, such as collegiate basketball, volleyball, and the UAAP Cheerdance Competition. This has made the school a powerful program. The fact that they’re always fighting at the top levels in these sports events best shows their excellence.

NU offers a comprehensive scholarship program to its esports athletes, which includes 100% scholarship in tuition fees, free lodgings at NU’s dormitories, and free breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the campus cafeteria.

ALL-STAR talked to some of NU’s esports athletes, who revealed their parents were stunned they were now athletic scholars because of esports.

Adamson NBA2K Team. Photo: Mario Alvaro Limos

Adamson University is famous for having students who take part in sports and providing state-of-the-art sports equipment and sports facilities. Besides this, the students are more and more becoming involved with esports, and the school is acknowledging them for organizing events and hosting competitions.

Renowned for its strong support of student athletics, Head manager of UAAP Esports at Adamson University Dio Robles said that although the college is ready to offer scholarships for their esports players, the current “pilot season of UAAP” means they are still testing the waters to find if long-term scholarships are feasible.

Robles also voiced worries about providing scholarships during this first phase.

“Especially this is a pilot season, di namin alam na baka mamaya, bigyan namin ng scholarships, and then later, or after ng ilang months biglang, ay, papalitan ka pala, di ba, sayang naman yung scholarships n’ya.” he said.

Adamson University does not yet grant scholarships to its esports athletes. However, Robles confirmed that discussions about future scholarships are ongoing. In the meantime, the university provides basic benefits to their players, including transportation and food.

Ateneo MLBB Team. Photo: Mario Alvaro Limos

Many people view the UAAP sports teams of Ateneo de Manila University with high respect due to their dominance and strength, as they consistently defeat their rivals and maintain complete command of the playing field. Their court games consistently draw attention, and their university fully commits to supporting them. It is a reflection of their persistent resolve to succeed that they have developed a strong reputation in the esports field, not just in the professional gaming industry but also among other universities through their esports team and organization.

According to Paolo Jesus Medina, an NBA2K player for UAAP esports representing Ateneo De Manila University, said that he hasn’t heard any discussions about scholarships for esports athletes. However, he mentioned that the university supports their team by providing a facility for weekly practice sessions and supplying them with food.

Medina also shared his thoughts on the potential for esports scholarships:

“Hopefully, this tournament grows so big that in the future, students will want to come to Ateneo for an esports scholarship,” Medina said excitedly.

Ateneo de Manila University does not yet offer scholarships to its esports athletes. However, the university will provide practice facilities and food for the players.

UP MLBB Team. Photo: Mario Alvaro Limos

The University of the Philippines has won many championships and competes strongly in various sports. They provide their athletes with top-quality equipment and training facilities, and many of them get opportunities to compete in international events.

Regarding esports, assistant director of the UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development (UP OASD) Coach Moriah Joel Gingerich talked about the help their esports players are getting as they prepare for the UAAP esports tournament. UP Oblation Esports is overseeing the preparations, ensuring that transportation and practice facilities, like the ones they use for NBA2K in their office, are available for the team. Right now, esports is considered a demonstration sport, which means there isn’t a special system for esports athletes to join the varsity team. But even so, the university is still dedicated to supporting and improving its esports program.

Coach Moriah did, however, provide interesting news for their esports players.

“I talked with the coordinator nila, si JR and we would also be offering to them the PE4” Coach Moriah spoke.

At UP, PE4 is a unit topic for varsity athletes; along with this, esports players will get varsity tagging for CRS favor throughout the recruitment time.

Coach Moriah revealed that although the University of the Philippines does not currently provide scholarships to its esports players, they are working on offering support and benefits for them.

UE NBA2K Team. Photo: Mario Alvaro Limos

Unfortunately, there is currently no specific information available about the support or scholarship grants for esports players at the University of the East. However, the UE Zenith esports has assured that their esports team is preparing to deliver a remarkable performance. UAAP esports fans should stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting display of talent and dedication from the University of the East.

University of the East does not currently offer scholarships to its esports athletes.