Paolo Medina wins inaugural UAAP Esports tournament for NBA2K

Paolo Medina (BS Information Technology Entrepreneurship) won the University Atheltic Association of the Philippines's first-ever esports tournament for NBA2K. This marks the first championship Ateneo has taken in a UAAP esports tournament.

“To be the first champion, I am very blessed. I feel I made a mark that will forever be there. I am grateful for this opportunity,” said Medina.

Medina earned his title after beating De La Salle University's Keegan Yap in a close 2-1 game set. Their first game saw Medina pilot the San Antonio Spurs to defeat Yap’s pick of the Chicago Bulls, 77-75.

In the second game, Yap picked the LA Clippers to beat Medina's Sacramento Kings 93-89 and force a third game.

During the final game, Medina switched to the Oklahoma City Thunder to battle Yap's LA Lakers. Here, Medina dominated from the get-go, ending the first quarter with a 25-15. From then on, Medina never let Yap close the game, leading by as much as 20 points at the start of the fourth quarter.

In addition to defeating Yap for the championship, Medina's title run also saw him defeat the University of Santo Tomas' Daemiel Argame in the semifinals with a 2-0 sweep, scoring 96-92 and 119-81.

Prior to his title run, Medina had come into the semifinals as only the second seed in Pool A, having suffered losses to UST and UP during the Group Phase.

Reflecting on his charge's win, Ateneo head coach Nite Alparas expressed immense pride in Medina’s performance throughout the tournament.

“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,” said Alparas.

“Sobrang confident ako kay Paolo kase 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.

With his win, Medina, who once only celebrated from the sidelines as a student-manager during the Blue Eagles' UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball championship, has now added his name to the annals of Ateneo Blue Eagles history.

AM+DG