Ateneo's Paolo Medina during the UAAP Esports NBA2K24 championship. Courtesy: UAAP Esports

MANILA -- Ateneo de Manila University's Paolo Medina ruled the virtual hardcourt after emerging as the first-ever UAAP Esports NBA2k24 champion at the Doreen Fernandez Black Box, Areté Ateneo, in Quezon City. 

"I am very blessed. I feel I made a mark that will forever be there. I am grateful for this opportunity,” Medina, a 22-year-old BS Information Technology Entrepreneurship student, said.

Medina conquered De La Salle University's Kegan Yap in a three-game nail-biter, where both put up thrilling performances. 

Bouncing back from a narrow Game 2 loss, Medina dominated Yap in Game 3 on a blow-out, stretching his lead to 20, before the final buzzer to clinch the first UAAP Esports medal. 

Medina was considered a dark horse in the tournament as a second-seeded playoff candidate from Pool A, after losing to both the University of Santo Tomas and the University of the Philippines in his opening matches.

"Not gonna lie, coming into the tournament, I felt very confident. But then, on the first day of the group stage, I lost my game against UST, and then later that same day, I lost against UP. So, it wasn't a cakewalk. It wasn't an easy path to the finals," recalled Medina, who finished the pool phase with a 5-2 record.

"Honestly, sa six months na nag-training kami, parang two months ago sinabi ko sa kanya na, 'We are 100-percent ready to compete sa UAAP.' Nangyari nga, nag-champion kami," Ateneo head coach Nite Alparas said.

"Sobrang confident ako kay Paolo kasi simula February nakita ko siya. Nakita ko 'yung growth niya, development niya as a player. Sabi ko, 'Pagaling ka nang pagaling. Nagi-improve ka, lahat ng sinasabi ko sa'yo naa-absorb mo. Tina-try mo 'yung new things. Hindi ka takot magkamali,'" he added.