UAAP Season 87 Esports: UE dominates UP to kick off title defense with 2-0 sweep

Defending Mobile Legends: Bang Bang champion University of the East kicked off its UAAP Season 87 Esports Tournament title defense with authority, sweeping the University of the Philippines, 2-0, for a resounding debut Tuesday at the Quantum Skyview Deck of Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City.

With the victory, UE leads Group B with three points, followed by National University with two points after outlasting De La Salle University.

Despite playing without a coach, UE leaned heavily on teamwork and trust—particularly during the drafting phase, where UP surprised them with a last-pick Yi Sun Shin.

“Sa draft kasi kaya di kami nahihirapan kasi nagtutulungan lahat. Tapos kung ano yung gusto ng bawat isa na magandang mapu-pull off, yun yung ginagamit namin,” said team captain John Zel Bartolo, explaining how the Zenith Esports are able to manage and win games despite lacking a head coach.

“Teamwork lang talaga. Yung pagkakaisa ng buong team. Yung commitment sa mga gusto at dapat gawin sa game namin.”

(“In the draft, we don’t really have a hard time because everyone helps each other. Whatever someone thinks will work well, that’s what we go for. It’s really just teamwork. The unity of the whole team. The commitment to what we want and need to do in our game.”)

Inside UE’s Matchup

Reigning MVP John Lawrence Chavez tallied a flawless performance, getting two kills and 14 assists with zero deaths to lead UE to a dominant Game 1 win.

In Game 2, the Red Warriors orchestrated a stunning comeback, erasing a 9k gold deficit at the 17-minute mark. Elijah Villaray (Harith) ignited the rally with a double kill during a base turret defense in the 18th minute, sparking a 3-0 punish.

UE stormed through the midlane and forced a base turret siege, sealing the comeback and the sweep.

NU Staves Off La Salle

Next up, National University also secured an opening day win, staging a reverse sweep against La Salle, 2-1.

The Green Aces, led by former MPL Philippines pros Aaron Lim and Joshua Tating, took Game 1, but the Bulldogs bounced back.

Kirk Herrero (Granger) powered the Bulldogs in Game 2, delivering a clean 10-0-4 KDA performance to force a decider.

Finally in Game 3, Johann Estacio showed off his mechanical prowess with Fanny, steering NU to a commanding win and the series comeback.

UE and NU are set to battle for the Group B lead in their clash scheduled for tomorrow.

UST Outclasses FEU

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas, led by Ramuell Belga, outclassed 2024 bronze medalist Far Eastern University in a 2-0 sweep. This gives them three points and an early share of the Group A lead.

The Teletigers survived a savage killing spree from Tamaraw Kevin Reyes late in Game 1. But uncleared minions gave the Teletigers enough cushion to survive the onslaught and bag the win.

Later, they asserted their dominance in a one-sided Game 2 to complete the sweep.

Belga (Kalea) registered an impressive 2-1-9 KDA in the Game 2 clincher.

“Honestly, it’s good for the morale (to win against FEU), yung naka 2-0 nga kami. It just means na yung pinagtrabahuan namin is effective and it’s working for us,” said head coach Hemogenes Arayata IV as UST topped the battle of last season’s silver and bronze medalists.

(“Honestly, it’s great for team morale to get a 2-0 win over FEU. It just shows that everything we’ve worked hard for is effective and is really working for us.)

Adamson Rides On Strong 2-0 Vs. Ateneo

Adamson University also opened its campaign strong, sweeping Ateneo de Manila University, 2-0, to tie UST atop Group A.

Kenneth Aliligay and Louies Romasanta took turns stepping up for the Falcons, each earning MVP honors in the two-game sweep.

The Soaring Falcons look to sustain their momentum against the Tamaraws Esports in tomorrow’s matchup, while the Teletigers will take on the Blue Eagles.

All matches are streamed live on the Pilipinas Live app and the UAAP Varsity Channel.