After being held off for almost two years, fans of the hardcourt are making their way to the Mall of Asia Arena as the highly-anticipated UAAP season 84 is upon us! *screams university chant*
In case you’ve been living under a rock, the UAAP season is one of the most-awaited annual sporting events in the Philippines. It’s that time of the year where eight top universities in the country gather and show off their school spirit as they vie for the championship title of the UAAP by winning different sporting competitions such as basketball, volleyball, cheer dance and taekwondo.
Although there are only a limited number of sporting events for this UAAP season, there is definitely no shortage in the crushable Chinoy athletes department.
Interested in knowing who are the popular picks from the recently concluded men’s basketball team? We’ve rounded out the top 5 of these eye-candy players, so see for yourselves who has gotten every UAAP fangirl screaming and swooning over them!
1. Dave Ildefonso
Need we say more? Dave Ildefonso is the strong start to this list as probably half of the fangirls supporting the Ateneo Blue Eagle are because of him. This 6’6 giant previously played for the National University and later on transferred to the blue school in Katipunan in time for Season 84 of the UAAP. Although the Blue Eagles men’s basketball team fell short of gaining a 3-peat championship this year, they are still certainly winning to have Dave Ildefonso on their side.
2. Brix Ramos
The UAAP men’s basketball competition may have ended but the UP Fighting maroons are not done celebrating their well-deserved victory. A big part of their success is thanks to their 6’2 guard, Brix Ramos who took it upon himself to continuously motivate his teammates, especially during high pressure moments of the UAAP basketball championship games. Brix also shows himself as the ideal IG boyfriend as his Instagram profile is filled with pictures of him and his girlfriend, artist Athena Madrid. Happy for you, Brix! *sniff sniff*
3. Joaquin Manuel
Our next guy on the list is the resident DLSU chinito, Joaquin Manuel, who used to be a member of the Ateneo Blue Eaglets before. If your guy type is a player with a bad boy vibe, then he’s the guy for you! Joaquin is known for his impressive defensive plays as one of the Green Archers’ prominent guards that helped propel De La Salle University to the semi finals.
4. Tyler Tio
This 5’11 Ateneo guard is another crowd-favorite from the Blue Eagles. His chinky eyes and good-boy smile definitely won the hearts of many but don’t be fooled. This cutie proves that he is not all looks as he uses killer assists and shoots in the court, making him a vital player of the team. Tio bid a teary farewell to his UAAP career this year as he is set to graduate from the university but fans need not worry as they will be seeing him again, this time in the PBA as he was successfully drafted for the Phoenix Fuel Masters team.
5. Shaun Ildefonso
Yes, we know what you’re thinking. Is he Dave Ildefonso’s brother? Absolutely yes! Shaun is the oldest Ildefonso of the family and has had a lot of basketball expertise passed on to him from his father, PBA legend Danny Ildefonso. With his tall stature and bulging upper body muscles, Shaun is the reliable forward of the National University bulldogs. If you’re looking for a bit more of this UAAP crushie, you’ll no longer be seeing him in the UAAP court as he is set to finish his last year in the university this year but don’t fret as you’ll be seeing him again real soon. But where? In the PBA as he has been drafted for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
