Paolo Medina rules first-ever UAAP NBA 2K24 tilt

Tempo Desk
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Ateneo’s Paolo Medina (UAAP Media)

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.

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