University News

Defending the crown: PUP powers NCR to victory at 2025 SCUAA National Games

Brylle Varela, Hazel Maceda, News, PUP Campus Journalists

The NCR delegation was once again hailed as the Grand Champions at the 2025 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) National Games, held in Camiguin last April 22-27—a feat earned through perseverance and hard work.

Helping defend the crown was the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Radicals who showcased an outstanding performance in 20 sports, including traditional Filipino martial arts, athletics, e-sports, and dancesport. By the end, they earned a total of 133 medals—68 gold, 33 silver, and 32 bronze—contributing significantly to NCR’s 272-medal haul, securing their place at the top.

Team effort and faith in God results in victory
The PUP student-athletes expressed their happiness in achieving such a milestone, sharing details of the physical and mental training that shaped their winning mindset. Francine Guiriba, the swimming team captain and the most bemedalled PUP athlete after attaining eight medals, defined her win as not just a personal achievement but also a victory for the entire team.

“It’s a victory not only for me [but] for the whole team—not only because we gained the championship title, but also because doon mo kasi makikita how whole the team is. I guess iyong success namin way back from regionals up to nationals, it’s a team effort,” Guiriba said.

(It’s a victory not only for me but for the entire team—not just because we won the championship title, but also because that’s where you can really see how united the team is. I guess our success, from regionals up to nationals, was truly a team effort.)

Meanwhile, Lyca Ve Dela Peña, captain of the gold-winning women’s volleyball team, attributed their win to unwavering trust and faith in God. She highlighted a pivotal moment in one match, where victory seemed almost guaranteed to the opposing team; they still made a miraculous comeback to win the game.

Fostering a winning mentality
Both Guiriba and Dela Peña emphasized that discipline played a crucial part not only for them but for any athlete. Their preparations included a proper diet, sufficient sleep, active rest, consistent attendance, and, most especially, training. They stressed the equal importance of mental and physical conditioning, recognizing that success is built not just on talent but also with hard work, consistency, and mindset.

Guiriba also shared that the most effective motivation for her team is by calling every member “champion” even before the competition begins. This instills a winning mindset and reinforces that they are already a part of a championship team—motivating them to live up to that standard. She then added that sports test the determination of a student-athlete. For her, if you want to achieve something, you must remain consistent even if it becomes difficult.

Dela Peña, meanwhile, stated that their team draws motivation from the sacrifices and collective effort each member puts in. She also reflected on the pain of past defeats and the heartbreak of seeing senior players leave without a win. This drives them to not only play for themselves, but for the PUP community, and for the Lord.

In addition, the two team captains acknowledged the strong support systems behind the athletes. Guriba credited her father, who has always been her coach, as a major source of guidance and encouragement. She also finds her teammates’ support and sideline cheers as a morale-booster. On the other hand, Dela Peña emphasized the encouragement from the PUP community, along with their coaches’ reminders to apply their learning as a unified team rather than as individuals.

PUP’s support for student-athletes
Asst. Prof. Romulo Hubbard, the Sports Development and Physical Office (SDPO) Director, shared that the University has implemented numerous initiatives to help its athletes, ensuring victories in the process.

Under the leadership of University President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi and Vice President for Student Affairs and Services (VPSAS) Prof. Tomas O. Testor, PUP has established a comprehensive support system to ensure the well-being and growth of its student-athletes. These include funding for athletic programs, access to nutritious meals, transportation during competition, and quality sports equipment.

PUP’s support goes beyond material resources. The SDPO is actively involved in scouting and developing athletic talent within the university. Student-athletes undergo science-based training programs focused on physical conditioning, skill enhancement, and overall performance. Additionally, nationally acclaimed coaches have been hired by the University to apply strategic, long-term approaches to athlete progression.

Participation in national and international competitions is also a key aspect of PUP’s athletic strategy, as it provides athletes with valuable experience and reinforces core values such as teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.

This strong support was recognized by the athletes themselves—both Guiriba and Dela Peña, along with Director Hubbard, who expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the PUP community–the administration, faculty, and fellow students—for their unwavering support since the beginning of their athletic journeys.

“Our recent victory is not just a testament to the hard work of our athletes and coaches,” the SDPO Director said, “but also a reflection of the strength and unity of our entire community.”

Following their successful campaign, Hubbard announced that the PUP Archery and Tennis teams will compete in Germany, Karate-do teams in Brunei, and Baseball and Softball teams in Indonesia later this year. Meanwhile, the Women’s Volleyball team is gearing up for Universities and Colleges Premier League (UCPL) Season 2 and the University Games.

_{(Note: English translation generated from AI.)}