After the first semester events of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81, the UP Fighting Maroons is at second place in the general championship with 188 points. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers leads the race with 212 points.

The Fighting Maroons Teams that competed in the first semester with podium finishes were: Men’s Track and Field Team (Champion); Men and Women Badminton Teams (1^st Runner-up); Men’s Basketball Team (1^st Runner-up); Women’s Chess Team (1^st Runner-up); Women’s Judo Team (1^st Runner-up); Women’s Swimming Team (1^st Runner-up).

Men’s Judo Team (2^nd Runner-up); Poomsae Team (2^nd Runner-up); Women’s Beach Volleyball Team (2^nd Runner-up); Women’s Table Tennis Team (2^nd Runner-up) and Women’s Track and Field Team (2^nd Runner-up) round up the list.

Second semester events, which will officially start on Feb. 16 are Baseball, Football (Men & Women), Softball, Lawn Tennis (Men & Women) and Volleyball (Men & Women). Three events will also be held as demonstration sports, namely, Ballroom Dance, Street Dance and the 3 x 3 Basketball Competition.

UP last won the general championship during the 60^th Season in 1997-1998, and has been the overall champion five times, one of them was a tie with the UST Growling Tigers during the 45^th Season in 1982-1983.

UP Fight!—Bino Gamba

Photo courtesy of Maroon Pride