FOR THE first time since 1981, the Philippines advanced to the grand finals of the World Universities Debating Championship.

Ateneo de Manila University students Ignacio Villareal, Mikko Vitug, David Africa and Luigi Alcañeses will represent the country in the prestigious international debating competition.

WUDC is an academic debate tournament that follows the British Parliamentary Debate format of four teams of two people in each debate.

Prior to advancing to grand finals, Ateneo 1 team composed of Villareal and Vitug won the second place in the Open Category with 24 out of 27 points.

ADMU said it is considered as the highest break any Philippine institution in WUDC history and the highest number any Asian institution has achieved.

Meanwhile, Ateneo 2 Team composed of Africa and Alcañeses ranked 14th in the Open Category with 19 out of 27 points.

The two teams battled against speakers from the University of Zagreb in Croatia and the London School of Economics on Wednesday.