UAAP Season 78 was the 2015–2016 athletic year of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). It opened on September 5, 2015, almost two months after the usual July opening of the league during previous seasons, due to the shift in the academic calendars of four member universities, i.e. Ateneo, La Salle, UP and UST. It was hosted by the University of the Philippines.

The eight-member universities of the UAAP competed in fifteen sports to vie for the general championship title.

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremonies of the UAAP Season 78 was held last September 5, 2015 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. "Philippine Archipelago" was the theme for the opening. A festive dance number featuring the rich history of the country and the eight vintas, consisting of eight universities of the UAAP, was performed by UP Dance & Performance groups including UP Streetdance Club, UP Dance Company, UP Dancesport Society, UP Filipiniana Dance Group, ROTC Symphonic Band, Tugma and the UP Pep Squad.

It was well attended with high officials from the UAAP Board and ABS-CBN Sports present. The host's (UP) President Alfredo Pascual and UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan formally opened the season. This was followed with the parade of athletes and the awarding presentation of the UAAP Season 77 general championship trophies.

A basketball double header to start off the 1st elimination round, UP vs. UE at 2p.m. and Adamson vs. UST at 4p.m. followed after the opening ceremonies.

The following day at the Mall of Asia Arena, La Salle faced reigning champion NU and FEU battled Ateneo, while Women's Basketball festivities started on the same day at the Blue Eagle Gym.

A Press conference was also held at Gateway Cubao, few days before the opening.

Sports calendar

First semester

Second semester

Basketball

The UAAP Season 78 seniors' division basketball tournament began on September 5, 2015. The tournament host eas the University of the Philippines and the tournament commissioner was Atty. Rene "Rebo" Saguisag, Jr together with his deputies Romy Guevarra, Joe Lipa and Bai Cristobal. Referees from BRASCU will be hired for officiating. UAAP adopts FIBA rules on technicals, timeouts, among others.

The UAAP Season 78 juniors division basketball tournament started on November 14, 2015. The tournament venue was at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym. FEU was the tournament host. The Ateneo Blue Eaglets were the defending champions.

At the end of the tournament, the FEU Tamaraws won the Men's Basketball title in a best-of-three game finals series against the UST Growling Tigers which ended on December 2, 2015.

Seniors' division

Men's tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Playoffs

Awards

• Season Most Valuable Player: Kiefer Ravena (Ateneo Blue Eagles)
• Finals Most Valuable Player: Mac Belo (FEU Tamaraws)
• Rookie of the Year: Joshua Andrei Caracut (De La Salle Green Archers)

Women's tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Afril Bernardino (NU Lady Bulldogs)
• Rookie of the Year: Jack Danielle Animam (NU Lady Bulldogs)

Juniors' division

Boys' tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Aljun Jay Melecio (DLSZ Junior Archers)
• Rookie of the Year: Carl Tamayo (Adamson Baby Falcons)

Volleyball

Seniors' division

The UAAP Season 78 seniors' division volleyball tournament started on January 31, 2016. The tournament main venue is the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City while selected games will be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, the Philsports Arena in Pasig, and the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. The tournament host is the University of the Philippines. Noreen Go is the tournament commissioner while the Deputy Commissioner and Asst. Deputy Commissioner are Sherwin Malonzo and Ivan Isada, respectively. Referees from the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) headed by Nestor Bello will be used for the tournament's officiating purposes.

Men's tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Playoffs

Awards

• Season Most Valuable Player: Marck Jesus Espejo (Ateneo Blue Eagles)
• Finals Most Valuable Player: Ysrael Wilson Marasigan (Ateneo Blue Eagles)
• Rookie of the Year: James Martin Natividad (NU Bulldogs)

Women's tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Playoffs

Awards

• Season Most Valuable Player: Alyssa Valdez (Ateneo Lady Eagles)
• Finals Most Valuable Player: Kim Kianna Dy (De La Salle Lady Archers)
• Rookie of the Year: Isa Molde (UP Lady Maroons)

Juniors' division

The UAAP Season 78 Juniors volleyball tournament will start on August 22, 2015. The tournament venue will be at the Adamson University Gym in San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila. Adamson is the tournament host. The number of participating schools in the boys' and girls' tournaments both increased to seven. Far Eastern University fielded boys' and girls' volleyball teams beginning season 77. Since there are now seven participating schools, the tournaments will have a Final Four format. The UAAP Board decided to move the high school volleyball tournaments from 2nd semester to 1st semester due to the basketball juniors tournament being moved from the 1st semester to 2nd semester.

Boys' tournament

Elimination round

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Shaun Ledesma (UE Junior Warriors)
• Rookie of the Year: Noel Kampton (NUNS Bullpups)

Girls' tournament

Elimination round

Awards

• Most Valuable Player:
• Rookie of the Year:

Beach volleyball

The UAAP Season 78 beach volleyball tournament began on October 9, 2015. The tournament venue was at the Sands at SM by the Bay SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, Metro Manila. University of Santo Tomas was the tournament host. Beach volleyball is a single round-robin elimination tournament.

Men's tournament

Elimination round

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Ysrael Wilson Marasigan (Ateneo Blue Eagles)
• Rookie of the Year: Jude Garcia (FEU Tamaraws)

Women's tournament

Elimination round

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Kim Fajardo (De La Salle Lady Archers)
• Rookie of the Year: Jasmine Nabor (NU Lady Bulldogs)

Football

The UAAP Season 78 seniors' division football tournament started on February 7, 2016 at the Emperador McKinley Hill Stadium at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. The other tournament venues will be at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field of Ateneo de Manila University in Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City and at the FEU Diliman Football Field. The tournament host is Ateneo with Jojo Rodriguez as the tournament commissioner.

Seniors' division

Men's tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Match-up results

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Daniel Bernan Gadia (UP Fighting Maroons)
• Rookie of the Year: Darius Diamante (De La Salle Green Archers)

Women's tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Match-up results

Finals

FT: UP 2 v 1 DLSU

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Molly Manalansan (UP Lady Maroons)
• Rookie of the Year: Sara Castaneda (De La Salle Lady Archers)

Juniors' division

The UAAP Season 78 juniors division football tournament started on December 5, 2015 and ended on February 7, 2016 at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field in the Ateneo de Manila campus in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. FEU-Diliman was crowned as the champion of the tournament.

Boys' Tournament

Elimination round

Team standings

Match-up results

Scores

Results to the right and top of the gray cells are first round games, those to the left and below are second round games.

Playoffs

Finals

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Kieth Absalon (FEU–D Baby Tamaraws)
• Rookie of the Year: Roberto Ripoll (FEU–D Baby Tamaraws)
• Best Striker: Chester Gio Pabualan (FEU–D Baby Tamaraws)
• Best Midfielder: Chester Gio Pabualan (FEU–D Baby Tamaraws)
• Best Defender: Roberto Ripoll (FEU–D Baby Tamaraws)
• Best Goalkeeper: Gavin Rosario (Ateneo Blue Eaglets)
• Fair Play Award: DLSZ Junior Archers

Baseball

Men's tournament

The UAAP Season 78 seniors' division baseball tournament began on February 4, 2016 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate Manila. The tournament host is La Salle.

Elimination round

Team standings

Match-up results

Scores

Results to the right and top of the gray cells are first round games, those to the left and below are second round games. Superscript is the number of innings played before the mercy rule applied.

Finals

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Julius Diaz (UST Growling Tigers)
• Rookie of the Year: Julius Diaz (UST Growling Tigers)
• Best Hitter: Paulo Gonzalo Salud (De La Salle Green Archers)
• Best Slugger: Jose Miguel San Juan (UP Fighting Maroons)
• Best Pitcher: Juan Paulo Macasaet (Ateneo Blue Eagles)
• Most Stolen Bases (8): Marquis Rey Alindogan (Ateneo Blue Eagles)
• Most Runs Batted-In (12): Jerome Yenson (Adamson), Jonathan Park (La Salle) and Julius Diaz (UST)
• Most Home-runs (1): Marco Luis Mallari (Ateneo), Jose Maria Tantuico (Ateneo), Mark Steven Manaig (Adamson), Ariel Aligno (UST) and Kirk Daquis (UST)

Boys' tournament

The UAAP Season 78 juniors' division (demonstration sport) baseball tournament will begin on January 9, 2016 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate Manila. The tournament host is La Salle.

Elimination round

Team standings

Match-up results

Scores

Results to the right and top of the gray cells are first round games, those to the left and below are second round games. Superscript is the number of innings played before the mercy rule applied.

Finals

Awards

• Most Valuable Player:
• Rookie of the Year:

Softball

The UAAP Season 78 softball tournament began on January 30, 2016 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate Manila. The tournament host is La Salle.

Women's tournament

Elimination round

Scores

Results to the right and top of the gray cells are first round games, those to the left and below are second round games. Superscript is the number of innings played before the mercy rule applied.

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Queeny Sabobo (Adamson Lady Falcons)
• Rookie of the Year:

Badminton

The UAAP Season 78 badminton tournament began on September 19, 2015. The tournament venue was the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Vito Cruz St., Malate, Manila. Badminton is a single round-robin elimination tournament. Far Eastern University was the tournament host.

Seniors' division

Men's tournament

Elimination round

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Peter Gabriel Magnaye (NU Bulldogs)
• Rookie of the Year: Keeyan Gabuelo (NU Bulldogs)

Women's tournament

Elimination round

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Paola Beatriz Bernardo (UP Fighting Maroons)
• Rookie of the Year: Eleanor Christine Inlayo (UP Fighting Maroons)

Table tennis

The UAAP Season 78 table tennis tournament began on October 17, 2015. The tournament venue was Ninoy Aquino Stadium. University of the East was the tournament host.

Seniors' division

Men's tournament

Elimination round

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Walden Ledesma (De La Salle Green Archers)
• Rookie of the Year: Carlo Mateo (De La Salle Green Archers)

Women's tournament

Elimination round

Playoffs

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Ian Lariba (De La Salle Lady Archers)
• Rookie of the Year: Emy Rose Dael (De La Salle Lady Archers)

Taekwondo

The UAAP Season 78 taekwondo tournament began on October 23, 2015. The tournament venue was the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Metro Manila. Taekwondo is a single round-robin elimination tournament. Ateneo de Manila University was the tournament host.

Seniors' division

Men's tournament

Elimination round

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Joaquin Mendoza (UST Growling Tigers)
• Rookie of the Year: Kyle Arsenal (De La Salle Green Archers)

Women's tournament

Elimination round

Awards

• Most Valuable Player: Karen Celis (UE Lady Warriors)
• Rookie of the Year: Baby Jessica Canabal (UE Lady Warriors)

Juniors' division

Boys' tournament

Elimination round

Awards

• Most Valuable Player:
• Rookie of the Year:

Judo

The UAAP Season 78 Judo Championships was held from November 18–19, 2015 at the La Salle Greenhills Gym . The tournament host was De La Salle University.

Seniors' division

Juniors' division

Swimming

The UAAP Season 78 swimming championships was held on October 22–25, 2015 at the Rizal Memorial Swimming Pool in Vito Cruz St., Malate, Manila. The tournament host was National University and tournament commissioner was Richard G. Luna.

Team ranking is determined by a point system, similar to that of the overall championship. The points given are based on the swimmer's/team's finish in the finals of an event, which include only the top eight finishers from the preliminaries. The gold medalist(s) receive 15 points, silver gets 12, bronze has 10. The following points: 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 are given to the rest of the participating swimmers/teams according to their order of finish.

Seniors' division

Juniors' division

Performance sports

Cheerdance

The UAAP Season 78 cheerdance competition was held on October 3, 2015 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. It was hosted by Boom Gonzalez and Sofia Andres and was well attended by 25, 388 spectators inside the arena, Cheerdance competition is an exhibition event. Points for the overall championship are not awarded to the participating schools.

Team standings

Order refers to order of performance.

Stunner Awardee: No Stunner Awardee for this year

• Special awards from sponsors:
  • Purefoods Eats So Easy Move: Adamson
  • Oishi Oh Wow Surprising Move: FEU
  • Smart Fearless Jump: UST
  • Yamaha Best Toss: UP
  • PLDT Famtastic Pyramid: UP

Group stunts competition

Street dance

The 4th UAAP Street Dance Competition was held on April 9, 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay hosted by Upfront at the UAAP host Justin Quirino and Myx VJ Ai dela Cruz. Street dance competition is an exhibition event. Points for the general championship are not awarded to the participating schools. NU Underdawgz has decided to forgo their participation in this season's streetdance competition.

Host team in boldface.

General championship summary

The general champion is determined by a point system. The system gives 15 points to the champion team of a UAAP event, 12 to the runner-up, and 10 to the third placer. The following points: 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 are given to the rest of the participating teams according to their order of finish.

Medals table

General championship tally

Seniors' division

Juniors' division

Closing ceremony

The UAAP Season 78 closing ceremony was held at the Bahay ng Alumni of the UP-Diliman Campus. The highlight of the 5 p.m. event is the announcement of the league's Athlete of the Year. All MVPs from 15 sporting disciplines of the UAAP are eligible to win the Athlete of the Year award. The UAAP were given out special citations to student-athletes who excel in their academics and some who represent the country in local and international competitions.

The closing ceremony has also featured the turn-over of the flag of the UAAP to Season 79 host University of Santo Tomas.

• Co-Athletes of the Year (Seniors)
  • Team Sports Category:
    • Alyssa Valdez (Ateneo / Women's Volleyball)
    • Queeny Sabobo (Adamson / Softball)
  • Individual Sports Category:
    • Jessie Khing Lacuna (Ateneo / Men's Swimming)
    • Ian Lariba (La Salle / Table Tennis)
• Athlete of the Year (Juniors)
  • John Lloyd Osorio (UE / Track and Field)
• Athlete Scholars Citations:
  • Alex Toni Steven Ngui (Ateneo / Men's Swimming)
  • David Camacho (Adamson / Men's Basketball)
  • David Angelo Diamante (La Salle / Men's Football)
  • Noelito Jose, Jr. (UST / Men's Fencing)
  • Mary Remy Palma (FEU / Women's Volleyball)
  • Cyrene Torres (NU / Women's Table Tennis)
  • Karen Cells (UE / Women's Taekwando)
  • Janna Dominique Oliva (UP / Poomsae)

Broadcast coverage

Starting from Season 78 until Season 82, ABS-CBN Sports will still the broadcast coverer of the UAAP. ABS-CBN Sports+Action, Balls HD 195 for the basketball tournament only and ABS-CBN Sports+Action International will cover the games on a live basis, with Finals games on ABS-CBN Channel 2 and ABS-CBN HD 167 and replays on ABS-CBN Sports+Action, they also introduced the newest batch of courtside reporters for the broadcast coverage. Laura Lehmann and Jeanine Tsoi, had returned as the courtside reporters for Ateneo and La Salle, with 6 new faces.

The High Definition channel will be aired on Balls HD 195 for the basketball tournament only after the said channel was ceased off. The HD channel has been transfer to ABS-CBN Sports+Action HD 166 for the volleyball tournament.

Aside from the refreshed line-up of the panel, including returnee Mico Halili (current anchor of CNN Philippines SportsDesk) who last worked with ABS-CBN Sports in the MBA Games and the league until Season 65 (2002), Anton Roxas and Allan Gregorio will not return to the UAAP basketball panel since they been returned to the NCAA basketball panel but Roxas will return for the UAAP volleyball panel. Noreen Go will also not return to the volleyball panel since she was chosen as a commissioner of the UAAP Volleyball tournament season 78. The coverage will have a pre-game show called "Upfront at the UAAP" every gamedays at 1:30pm, the show will delivered the latest updates and features in all of the sports disciplines of the league.

Additional Cast:

• Opening Ceremony Host: Boom Gonzales
• Tumitinding Sumusulong: The UAAP Season 78 Primer Host: TJ Manotoc
• UAAP Season 78 Cheerdance Competition Host: Boom Gonzales and Sofia Andres
• UAAP Season 78 Beach Volleyball Finals Crew: Ian Laurel and Mozzy Ravena
• UAAP Season 78 Baseball and Softball Finals Crew: Anton Roxas and Kiko Diaz
• UAAP Season 78 Men's and Women's Tennis Finals Crew: Dyan Castillejo and Eric Tipan
• UAAP Season 78 Streetdance Competition Hosts: Justin Quirino and Ai dela Cruz

See also

• NCAA Season 91

References