By MARK REY MONTEJO
Ateneo’s Paolo Medina etched his name as the first-ever NBA 2K24 champion after beating La Salle’s Kegan Yap, 2-1, in the UAAP Esports tournament Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Doreen Fernandez Black Box in Quezon City.
With the score tied at 1-1, Medina, a 22-year-old BS Information Technology Entrepreneurship student, opted to use Oklahoma City Thunder against Yap’s Los Angeles Lakers, 74-63, to halt the latter’s comeback attempt and rule the three-day competition.
“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.
In the do-or-die match, Medina established an early lead, 25-15, in the opening frame which he preserved until the final buzzer in spite of Yap’s multiple counters.
Prior to his title win, the Ateneo ace finished as second seed in Pool A then blanked UST’s Daemiel Argame in the semifinal round, 2-0.
“Not gonna lie, coming into the tournament, I felt very confident. But then, on the first day of the group stage, I lost my game against UST, and then later that same day, I lost against UP. So, it wasn’t a cakewalk. It wasn’t an easy path to the finals,” recalled Medina.
Coach Nite Alparas wasn’t surprised by Medina’s performance, noting they had been training for half a year and he already saw his readiness in the earlier part of their quest.
“Honestly, sa six months na nag-training kami, parang two months ago sinabi ko sa kanya na ‘We’re 100-percent ready to compete sa UAAP.’ Nangyari nga, nag-champion kami,” said Alparas.
Meanwhile, Erix Delos Reyes set aside their brotherhood and swept fellow UST bet Daemiel Argame, 2-0, to capture the bronze medal honor.
