The University of Santo Tomas is on track to claim its eighth consecutive UAAP General Championship after dominating the first semester standings of Season 87 in both the seniors and juniors divisions.

UST amassed 234 points in the seniors division, securing six championships, five silver medals, and four bronze finishes across 21 events.

The University of the Philippines trailed in second place with 195 points, followed by De La Salle University with 178 points. The Ateneo de Manila University (152 points), Far Eastern University (134 points), National University (132 points), Adamson University (76 points), and University of the East (48 points) round out the standings.

In the juniors division, the Tiger Cubs asserted their dominance with 184 points, nearly 100 points ahead of the pack.

The Tiger Cubs achieved podium finishes in all 14 events with six golds, seven silvers, and one bronze.

UE placed second with 85 points, while NU-Nazareth School followed in third with 52 points.

UST is chasing its 48th General Championship and 24th general title in the juniors division. The season continues with collegiate volleyball, 3×3 and boys’ basketball, tennis, baseball, softball, and fencing kicking off in the second semester.

Here are highlights of UST’s season so far.

Teletigers make history in UAAP Esports debut

The UST Teletigers Esports Club (TGR) landed podium finishes in the first UAAP esports tournament, on Aug. 13-21, at Areté at the Ateneo.

TGR were the only team in the tournament to bag medals in all three games: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Valorant, and NBA 2K.

TGR’s ML:BB and Valorant team came home with silver medals, while the NBA 2K team A and B clinched third and fourth place, respectively.

The ML:BB team, led by Arjohn Roxas, were unblemished during the elimination rounds, but yielded to UE Zenith Warriors in the best-of-three finals, 0-2.

Meanwhile, the Valorant squad, headed by John Cuaresma, succumbed to DLSU’s Viridis Arcus Esports in the best-of-three finals, 0-2.

TGR’s Eryx Daniel Delos Reyes clashed with his fellow Teletiger Daemiel Argame for the NBA 2K’s battle-for-third round, with the former winning the bronze medal. - Miguel Marco

Growling Tigers return to podium, Growling Tigresses fail to defend crown

The UST Growling Tigers concluded their UAAP Season 87 campaign with a return to the podium.

Despite losing three straight games in the early stages of the second round, the Tigers clinched crucial victories over FEU, UE, and Adamson to book their ticket to the Final Four where they yielded to the eventual champions UP Fighting Maroons, 69-78.

UST secured a slot in the podium after the DLSU Green Archers clobbered the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 70-55, in their respective Final Four matchup.

Meanwhile, the UST Growling Tigresses failed to defend their UAAP Season 86 crown against the NU Lady Bulldogs.

The Tigresses captured the first game of their finals matchup to take a 1-0 lead in the series until the Lady Bulldogs bit back in game 2 to tie the series 1-1.

UST attempted to erase a 15-point deficit in game 3 but came up short during the fourth quarter to come home in second place, 73-78.

Nic Cabañero of the Tigers and Kent Pastrana of the Tigresses were named part of the mythical five teams of their respective divisions this season. - Johann Coronel

Tiger Cubs finish S87 campaign with a silver medal

The UST Tiger Cubs settled for a silver medal finish after yielding to the UE Junior Warriors in Game 3 of their finals match in the UAAP Season 87 junior high school basketball tournament.

The Tiger Cubs ended the first round of Season 87 in the middle of the table after falling to UE, De La Salle Zobel School (DLSZ), and FEU, to secure a 4-3 win-loss record.

The second round saw the España-based squad gain momentum as they dismantled all their opponents except the Junior Warriors, 78-80.

UST ended the elimination round in third place with a 10-4 win-loss record and neutralized a twice-to-beat FEU in the Final Four.

The Tiger Cubs outlasted the Junior Warriors in Game 1 but failed to end the series in Game 2 after key player Nickson Cabañero was ejected.

The younger Cabañero’s absence in the title decider proved to be bad news for UST as they lost to the Junior Warriors by 31 points. - Dylan Kievan Lameseria

Sweet Victory: Junior Golden Spikers brings boys' volleyball crown back to España

The Junior Golden Spikers ended their seven-year title drought in the UAAP Boys' Volleyball Tournament after dethroning defending champions NU-Nazareth School.

UST dominated Season 87, dropping only one game in the elimination round–against the UE Junior Warriors–and sweeping the NU Bullpups in the best-of-three Championship series.

Team captain and setter-turned-libero Kalel Legaspi took charge of the Junior Golden Spikers’ floor defense and bagged the Finals MVP title.

The Junior Golden Tigresses also landed on the podium, taking home the bronze medal after losing against Adamson University in the semi-finals.

UST's duo of Denise Bron and Lianne Penuliar bagged the first and second best middle awards, respectively. - Christian David Ruiz

Golden Booters settle for 4th, women clinch bronze

The UST men’s and women’s football teams settled for fourth and third place, respectively during their Season 87 run.

The Golden Booters failed to enter the podium as they fell to the top-seeded Ateneo Blue Eagles in their semifinals match, 1-2, on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Rizal Memorial Football Field.

Kyler Escobar’s equalizer proved insufficient as Blue Eagle Jet Dela Cruz scored Ateneo’s second goal in the 70th minute to ensure their victory and ultimately end UST’s tournament run.

Meanwhile, the Lady Booters concluded their season on a high note as they upset the UP Fighting Maroons on home soil, 2-0, on Saturday, Nov. 30 at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

A brace from Christy Logastua during the third and 45th minutes helped the women’s team clinch bronze.

The Golden Booters capped off their season with a 4-6-2 win-loss-draw record, while the Lady Booters recorded a 2-2-4 win-loss-draw standing. - Miguel Marco

Tiger Shuttlers bow to UP for third straight year

The Tiger Shuttlers faltered in their bronze medal match for the third consecutive season in the UAAP Season 87 men’s badminton tournament after getting swept by the UP Fighting Maroons, 3-0, to conclude their UAAP Season 87 journey in fourth place.

The UST Lady Shuttlers ended their UAAP Season 87 tourney in fourth place after getting blanked by the NU Lady Bulldogs, 3-0, to miss out on a podium finish for the 11th straight year.

Their last podium finish in the tournament was a third place finish during Season 71 back in 2008-2009, while the last time they entered the finals was the year prior in Season 70 back in 2007-2008. - Charisse Anne Pintero

Male Woodpushers secures four-peat, carve UAAP history

The UST Male Woodpushers made history as they sealed their fourth-consecutive championship in the UAAP men's senior chess division, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Adamson University Gymnasium.

The Male Woodpushers ended the tourney with 31.5 game points and 17 match points from a 8-1-1 win-loss-draw record.

Season MVP Mark Daluz spearheaded UST's six-board sweep in the individual rankings, winning the gold in Board 1.

Daluz is the university's third-consecutive UAAP MVP after Melito Oscan Jr. also bagged last year's title.

Oscan Jr. channeled his winning pedigree to bag another gold and remain unbeaten throughout this year's tourney.

Meanwhile, Season 85 MVP Julius Gonzales contributed to the golden spree, nabbing the crown in Board 6.

The UST Junior Woodpushers also claimed silver in the boys' and girls' divisions with Alleana Gonzales winning UST's lone junior gold after prevailing in Board 6 of the girls' division.

On the other hand, the UST Lady Woodpushers replicated their previous season’s showing, ending their campaign with a 2-7-3 record. – Dion Mikhail Fetalvero

Tiger Sands’ dynasty continues; Lady Tiger Sands dethroned

The UST Tiger Sands achieved a gold-silver finish in the UAAP Season 87 beach volleyball tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at SM Sands by the Bay in Pasay.

The Tiger Sands Mens’ pair of Alche Gupiteo and Dominique Gabito swept through the competition with a commanding 9-0 record, defeating NU in the finals to bag their sixth consecutive title and ninth overall championship.

Meanwhile, the young Tigress duo of Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella also dominated the elimination rounds but bowed to NU in a three-set thriller in the finals to claim silver.

Gabito was hailed men’s tourney MVP, while the Tigresses’ Progella snagged the ‘Rookie of the Year’ award.

The UST Tiger Sands remain the winningest squad in both divisions with 18 championships combined. - Kurt Andre Trinidad

Junior and Senior Tiger Tracksters secure podium finishes

The UST Tiger tracksters ended an eight-year wait for a podium finish after finishing third in the UAAP Season 87 Athletics tournament on Nov. 21, at the New Clark City Stadium.

The Tiger Tracksters brought home six gold, five silver, and four bronze medals to cap off their best finish since their second place finish in Season 79 back in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Female Tracksters finished with eight gold, three silver, and four bronze to finish in second place behind FEU.

UST’s Junior Tiger Tracksters also ended a 16-year quest for a podium finish after finishing third this season.

The Junior Tiger Tracksters finished with seven gold, seven silver, and five bronze medals to capture their first podium finish since UAAP Season 70.

On the other hand, the Junior Female Tracksters were denied a three-peat after narrowly losing out against the UE Lady Junior Warriors after finishing with six gold, nine silver, and 10 bronze medals. - Johann Coronel

UST Tigersharks miss out on a podium finish to end Season 87

The UST Female and Male Tigersharks both finished in fourth in the UAAP Season 87 swimming tournament.

The Female Tigersharks notched a total of 209 points through three golds, five silvers, and six bronze medals.

Shairinne Floriano took home a silver medal for the women’s 200-meter breaststroke event, while Beatrize Mabalay secured the bronze medal.

Floriano also bagged a silver medal in the women’s 200-meter butterfly event.

Alyzza Ng bested the UP Fighting Maroons and Ateneo Women’s Swimming Team in the women’s 50-meter freestyle event, finishing at 27.17 seconds for a gold medal.

Meanwhile, the Male Tigersharks snagged two bronze medals and one silver medal, tallying 170 points.

Johan Aguilen finished second in the 50-meter freestyle, while John Paderes and Renz Santos snagged bronze medals in the 50-meter backstroke and 200-meter butterfly event. - MJ Jadormio

Tiger Paddlers sweep all four divisions

The UST Tiger Paddlers continued to dominate the UAAP table tennis tournament after securing the crown in both the men’s and women’s division in Season 87.

The Tiger Paddlers crushed the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Finals, 3-1, bagging their fifth consecutive win in the Men’s Table Tennis tournament.

Eljey Dan Tormis won the MVP award while Ray Manlapaz, bagged the Rookie of the Year award.

Simultaneously, the Lady Paddlers dismantled the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 3-0, as Althea Gudes was crowned both MVP and ROTY.

Jebb Datahan clinched his second straight MVP crown in the boy’s division as the Junior Tiger Paddlers triumphed over the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 3-0.

Similarly, J-An Sanchez brought home her second consecutive MVP crown as the Junior Lady Paddlers outlasted DLSZ, 3-2, to seal their three-peat ,

The Tiger Paddlers swept the competition with a 52-0 record after their wins. - Charisse Anne Pintero

Tiger Jins bag bronze, Lady Jins settle for silver in UAAP kyorugi

The UST Tiger Jins fell short against their arch-rivals, the NU Bulldogs, 3-4, to finish third in the UAAP Season 87 men’s kyorugi campaign.

This was the first time in five years that the Tiger Jins finished outside of the top two as DLSU and NU claimed gold and silver, respectively.

The Tiger Jins swept Ateneo 7-0 to conclude their campaign with a 3-2 record.

The UST Lady Jins failed to seize their third consecutive title as the NU Lady Bulldogs reigned supreme, 1-6.

The Lady Jins finished the season with a 5-1 record while the Bulldogs completed a 6-0 sweep to capture their first title since Season 84.

The UST Junior Tiger Jins also failed to reclaim the championship title as they caved in against the defending champions NUNS Bullpups, 1-4.

NUNS also swept the tournament (4-0) to secure their second consecutive championship while UST finished with a 3-1 record.

Prior to NUNS' back-to-back titles, UST were crowned boys' kyorugi champions from Seasons 80 to 85.

The UST Poomsae Jins, however, overcame the Bulldogs to successfully claim their eighth title this Season 87.

Despite losing in the individual categories, UST captured the team and mixed pair titles, nabbing a 3-2-0 gold-silver-bronze medal count and the championship for UST. - Dylan Kievan Lameseria

Salinggawi finish outside of podium

The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe settled for a fifth place finish with a score of 634.5 points in the UAAP Season 87 Cheerdance Competition on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Salinggawi’s “Batang 90’s” themed routine collected 74 points for stunts, 77 points for tosses, 78 points for their pyramid stunts, and 347 points for the dance routine with an 11 point deduction.

The NU Pep Squad reclaimed the CDC title; the Adamson Pep Squad returned to the podium after three years, bagging silver; while the FEU Cheering Squad completed the top three with bronze.

The Salinggawi Dance Troupe missed the podium by 15.5 points.

UST, NU, and UP are tied with the most CDC titles with eight championships overall. - Kurt Andre Trinidad

Tiger Judokas reclaim UAAP crown; Lady, Juniors settle for silver

The UST Tiger Judokas came back roaring after a silver medal finish to the UP Fighting Maroons last season.

UST hauled 47 points from four golds, five silvers, and four bronze medals to reclaim the championship in the UAAP men's Judo division.

Judoka Troy Legaspi was hailed as the season MVP after defeating Jandrei Sotto in an all-Thomasian finale at the men's 66 kg.

Rodge Bernal added to the Tiger Judokas' winning effort, bagging the -90 kg division crown and the Rookie of the Year award.

Meanwhile, Faiza Asilum led the Lady Judokas' campaign, bagging UST's lone gold medal in the women's division.

Asilum overpowered Anika Caminero of UP to bag the -52 kg title.

With the win, the Lady Judokas ended as runner-ups to the UE Lady Warriors with one gold, one silver, and nine bronze medals.

Meanwhile, the Junior Tiger Judokas also settled for silver in the boys' and girls' divisions. – Dion Mikhail Fetalvero