A new season is upon us. For all die-hard basketball fans, September 3rd marks the beginning of what would be the most exhilarating time of the year. The exciting part about UAAP is not just about your school winning a game—it’s the ups and downs, what happens behind the scenes, your sports analyses, the roaring sound of drums at the coliseum, and having to sing your alma mater song at the end of it all. And as we warm up into the 79th season, what better way to represent school pride than by getting to know the courtside reporters?
Below, meet this season’s roster.
1. Angelique Manto of University of Santo Tomas
With her striking features, it’s no wonder that this Communication Arts student is also a beauty queen. Angelique was crowned Miss Pampanga 2014, and she aspires to rule more pageants after her courtside stint: “To represent the Philippines in Miss Universe, hopefully, is the dream,” she tells ABS-CBN Sports. Check out her IG feed, and you’ll see that she definitely has an artistic eye—she makes OOTD’s and flatlays look like a breeze. We also love her sultry casual style!
2. Niña Alvia of University of the Philippines
Nina is no stranger to the spotlight. Prior to her role as UP’s courtside darling, she wowed the online world as a style blogger (check out her blog here!). Don’t think that this girl is just a pretty face, though. She was also the vice-president of a public speaking club, a football player, a gymnast, and a dancer. Talk about being a multi-hyphenate! According to ABS-CBN Sports, her ultimate goal is to finish a pre-med course. With her sleek sense of style, we’re sure she can conquer anything.
3. Ganiel Krishnan of Far Eastern University
It seems that pageants and basketball courts aren’t that distantly related after all. The beautiful Ganiel Krishnan is a living proof of beauty and brains. She recently topped two pageants: she won second runner-up at Miss Manila 2016 and bagged the crown as Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016 last July. And oh, she’s also an advocate for inner beauty and building confidence. #Goals, right? The Indian-Singaporean-Filipino stunner was discovered at a noontime show and has been signed with Star Magic since then! We’ll definitely be seeing more of this girl and her laid-back style.
4. Paui Verzosa of University of the East
She may be the epitome of elegance, but Pauline’s demure exterior is just the tip of the iceberg. Although she’s not a Red Warrior, the UP Broadcast Communication student is passionate about courtside reporting for UE because it gave her a whole new experience, a new home away from home. Off the court, she’s into advertising, journalism, and promotions—she’s org-active within UP JMA. And have we mentioned she’s just like the rest of us? She loves getting her series fix with shows like Suits, Game of Thrones, and How to Get Away with Murder.
5. Stef Monce of Adamson University
The BS Customs Administrations student is not only a courtside cutie from Adamson University; she’s also an aspiring journalist (she loves to write!), volleyball player, part-time model, and digital influencer. One look at her feed and you’ll see that she’s always on the pulse of things, be it about music, culture, or the arts. The multi-hyphenate tells ABS-CBN Sports, “I've always wanted to do something that involves me getting out of [my] comfort zone.”
6. Ira Pablo of National University
"When it comes to the UAAP, I am no longer a Maroon. I am a Bulldog,” Ira writes for NU Pep Squad’s championship book, Rise. The UP Broadcast Journalism student is a bonafide basketball fan who does not see the UAAP as factions of schools, but as sports teams. Now that’s a woman with a passion for basketball! Her stints as courtside reporter (she covered the Shakey’s V-League prior to UAAP) are just the building blocks of a future career as a TV host or media personality. Aside from her broadcasting acumen, Ira is also a freelance makeup artist!
7. Bea Escudero of De La Salle University
For this 21-year-old AB Psychology student, being DLSU’s reporter is going to be a whole new experience. Bea is one of the two newcomers in this season’s roster of courtside reporters. This role won’t faze this good-looking beauty, though—she’s armed with a lot of modeling and hosting experience. She definitely has all the makings of an It girl! “Expect in-depth information about the players and their stories and experiences,” she tells ABS-CBN Sports. We’re sure the archers can’t wait, Bea!
8. Denice Dinsay of Ateneo de Manila University
For fresh-faced Denice, being the Blue Eagles’ new courtside reporter is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. The 3rd Year AB Communication Arts student shares to ABS-CBN Sports that she’s ecstatic yet still in shock. What can we expect from this articulate creative girl? “They can expect everything from a new perspective. I’m a new reporter, so I guess [they can expect] freshness and energy that I will try to employ in each game as I report for the team, and improvement also.”
We can’t wait to see these gorgeous ladies on TV! Let the games begin.
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