The Arete Creativity and Innovation hub inside the Ateneo De Manila University in Quezon City. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The inaugural UAAP esports tournament will kick off on Tuesday at the Areté in the Ateneo de Manila University campus.

This groundbreaking event, which will fall under 'special events',  marks a significant milestone for the league, as it introduces esports into the UAAP's roster of events.

The tournament was initially proposed to the UAAP by former University of the Philippines Board of Managing Director and current UP College of Human Kinetics Dean Francis Diaz during UAAP Season 85. 

Although originally scheduled to take place at the end of Season 86, logistical challenges necessitated a postponement. Now, it is poised to launch UP's hosting year.

Ateneo de Manila University will host the inaugural tournament, showcasing its commitment to innovation and inclusivity. 

"Through the years, the UAAP has expanded with new events like beach volleyball, poomsae, and 3x3 basketball. This shows that the UAAP will adapt," said Ateneo's Emmanuel Fernandez, a member of the UAAP's Board of Managing Directors.

"This event continues the league's commitment to evolving with the times while also playing a vital role in nurturing future national athletes," said UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rene Saguisag Jr. 

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The first edition of the tournament will feature three competitive titles: NBA2K24 for sports-based console gaming, Valorant for PC first-person shooters, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang for mobile multiplayer online battle arenas.

"The goal this season was to be as inclusive as possible and give students many chances to participate, so we decided to include popular titles from different platforms," said UAAP Season 87 Esports Commissioner Monique Monasterio. 

"As you know, there are many esports titles, and narrowing it down was definitely a challenge, but the UAAP is committed, so there will be more chances to join for those whose game of choice hasn't been selected yet," she added.

Representatives from all eight UAAP member schools will compete in all three games. 

The NBA2K24 and Valorant tournaments will kick off at the Doreen Fernandez Black Box and Hyundai Hall, respectively, while the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament is scheduled to run from August 17 to 21 at Hyundai Hall.

For NBA2K24, each school will field two student-athletes, creating a 16-man field divided into two pools. The top two players from each pool will advance to the Final Four.

In Valorant, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, and Adamson University will compete in Group A, while University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, National University, and University of the East will battle it out in Group B.

For Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, FEU, NU, Ateneo, and NU will form Group A, with UST, UP, UE, and Adamson in Group B. 

The elimination rounds for Valorant and MLBB will follow a best-of-two format, with 3 points awarded for a 2-0 series win, 1 point for a tie, and no points for a loss. The top two teams in each group will advance to the Final Four. All semifinals, third-place matches, and finals will be best-of-three.

"As someone who's been a 'gamer' since I was a kid, I can hardly believe how much esports and gaming have grown as an industry. I feel incredibly lucky to not only witness it but to be a part of its history and the many 'firsts' in the Philippines. The feeling is surreal, and it gives me a lot of joy and hope that this is only the beginning for esports in the UAAP. Expect bigger and better things to come," said Monasterio.

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