Lariba leads UAAP in Asean tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Rio Olympics-bound Ian Lariba of La Salle spearheads Team UAAP-Philippines as it targets an improved showing in the 18th Asean University Games that kicks off today at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Lariba, the UAAP Season 78 co-Athlete of the Year who gained history as the first Pinoy table tennis player to qualify for the Olympiad, seeks to bring honor to the league in her last competition before her stint in Rio.

Swimmer Hannah Dato of Ateneo, who collared three gold medals in the last edition of the biennial meet, returns to anchor the team’s campaign in the pool. Two years ago in Palembang, Dato and the tankers accounted for four golds, three silvers and nine bronzes as the Philippines collared an aggregate 10-11-22 for fifth place overall, the squad’s best finish in six years.

Also primed for action is volleyball star Alyssa Valdez, who suits up one last time to try and help the UAAP-Phl volleybelles equal or surpass their podium finish in Palembang.

The Blue Eagles champion men’s volleyball team and University of the East’s male and female fencers, as well as Ateneo’s entries in non-UAAP events like shooting, archery and water polo, are also seeing action in the biennial tourney featuring 1,500 athletes from 11 countries competing across 16 sports.