It’s not just the nail-biting matches to watch out for in Season 84 of UAAP. There is also a new batch of student correspondents ready to give you their Gen Z twist to the games.
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The edge of your seat tension that lasts until the final seconds of the game. Long wait lines just to score tickets. The overt showcase of school pride. These are just some of the things that you can expect and many look forward to whenever a new season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) begins.
Over the past two years though, the UAAP games have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But just in time for the return to in-person classes for many, the UAAP season is back in full swing with the recent kick-off of Season 84. And what makes it even better that since April 5, fans have been able to attend the games in-person.
UAAP SEASON 84’S STUDENT CORRESPONDENTS
But it’s not just the thrill of the games or the excitement of the competition to look forward to this season. (School-wide celebrations and free pass school works anyone?) There is also the ever ubiquitous student reporters ready to give you the scoop straight from the games. These correspondents will bring you the stories and info from the matches that will be played throughout the season. Of course, these student reporters weren’t just randomly picked from their respective universities. The new batch underwent rigorous training over a course of a few weeks. Their teachers include “OG” UAAP anchors like Boom Gonzalez and Mico Halili who are part of this season’s powerhouse pool of anchors and analysts, including professional athletes and coaches.
“There has been a lot of preparation for all of us,” said Martina Lao, from DLSU, one of UAAP Season 84’s student correspondents. “I’ve seen my fellow correspondents more than anyone. We’ve done workshops over the last few weeks from some of the best people in the industry. We’re not just covering sports but also giving the audience a lot of behind the scenes content.”
Here is a rundown of the 18 soon-to-be familiar faces you’ll be seeing a lot more of throughout season 84.
MEN’S BASKETBALL REPORTERS
JULIA VARGAS
18 years old
ADMU – BFA Theater Arts
Reporting for: ATENEO
MARTINA LAO
20 years old
DLSU – AB Organizational Communication Minor in Digital Marketing
Reporting for: DLSU
GAB REYES
21 years old
ADMU – BS Management
Reporting for: UE
JANINE SAKALL
22 years old
FEU – BS Psychology
Reporting for: FEU
ARA PULIDO
22 years old
ADU -BA Communications
Reporting for: ADAMSON
DENISSE VALDESANCHO
19 years old
UST – BS Biochemistry
Reporting for: UST
BELLE GREGORIO
21 years old
ADMU – AB Communications Minor in Spanish Studies
Reporting for: NU
DOREEN SUAYBAGUIO
21 years old
UP – BS Chemical Engineering
Reporting for: UP
GAMES CORRESPONDENTS
ARLOVE DE JESUS
21 years old
FEU – BS TOURISM MANAGEMENT
BEA JAVATE
21 years old
ADMU – BS Communications Technology Management
(Reserve for basketball)
ANDREA ENDICIO
22 years old
UST – BS Pharmacy
EJ AMANTE
19 years old
ADMU – AB Management Economics
FIONA BACANI
23 years old
UP – BA Broadcast Communication
(Reserve for basketball)
JAC MACASAET
21 years old
ADMU – AB Communications
KAILA DY
19 years old
DLSU – AB Communication Arts
LEXI RODRIGUEZ
18 years old
ADMU – BS Communications Technology Management
OZZIE LLIGE
21 years old
DLSU – BS Early Childhood Education
ZAN-D BAJARIAS
21 years old
UP – BA – MA (H) Political Science