The Philippine Star

UAAP honors three athletes of the year

- By OLMIN LEYBA

Swimmer Hannah Dato of Ateneo, Woman Internatio­nal Master Janelle Mae Frayna of Far Eastern U and table tennis standout Ian Lariba of La Salle grabbed the spotlight as they were adjudged the Athletes of the Year during yesterday’s UAAP Season 77 closing and awarding ceremonies at the University of the East Theater.

The trio led 305 athletes who have excelled this season, some of whom having represente­d the country well in internatio­nal meets.

Dato of back-to-back champ AdMU brought honor to the nation when she swam her way to three gold medals to help Team UAAP-Phl to its best finish in the Asean University Games in Indonesia.

She wasn’t on hand to receive the plum though as she is currently competing in Australia.

For her part, Frayna carried the fight for Phl in the World Junior Chess Championsh­ips in India before helping FEU lady chessers snap DLSU’s four-year reign.

Lariba, the top-ranked lady table netter, also competed at the AUG, aside from leading DLSU to the UAAP diadem.

They were joined in the honor roll by fellow MVPs from all 29 events, Internatio­nal awardees, and Rookies of the Year from the eight member schools.

Athlete-Scholars, players who also excelled in academics also received recognitio­n. Feted were badminton player Mikaela Aquino of Adamson, swimmer Axel Ngui of Ateneo, table tennis bet Jerald Cristobal of La Salle, volleybell­e Tin Agno of Far Eastern, fencer Nathaniel Perez of UE, poomsae bet Dustin Mella of University of the Philippine­s, and athletics stalwart Eloisa Luzon of Santo Tomas.

UST marked its return to the top as the league’s overall champion.

The Thomasians reclaimed the general title after ceding it to La Salle the past two seasons, beating the latter by seven points in the final tally to cop its 40th GC overall.

UE, through UAAP Season 77 president Carmelita Mateo, handed the UAAP flag to UP Chancellor Dr. Michael Tan to formally turn over the hosting.

 ?? RINGTV.CRAVEONLIN­E.COM ?? Sugar Ray Leonard
RINGTV.CRAVEONLIN­E.COM Sugar Ray Leonard

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