THE ATENEO de Manila University emerged back-to-back champions in the United Asian Debating Championship.

The team was composed of Mikko Vitug, David Africa, and Tobi Leung.

Vitug, Africa, and Leung received Overall Best Speaker, 2nd Best Speaker, and 3rd Best Speaker awards, respectively.

Vitug was also crowned the Finals Best Speaker in the tournament.

The meet brought together top debating students from universities across Asia and was hosted by Malaysia-based Intertext and Asia Pacific University.

It featured intense debates on a wide range of thought-provoking topics, challenging participants to showcase their rhetorical skills, critical thinking, and mastery of argumentation.

Meanwhile, the Ateneo team 2 composed of Rivaldo Aquino, Bea Cuizon, and Riva Fong also showcased their exceptional debating skills by placing third overall in the Asian Grand Finals.

The Ateneo team 3, on the other hand, represented by Kyle Go, Paolo Taino, and Terena Ines Neri displayed commendable expertise by securing a spot as Asian Double-Octofinalists.

Further, Aly Barranda was the Philippine representation in the UADC’s Adjudication Core.

“This recent victory at UADC follows the Ateneo Debate Society’s historic win at the World Universities Debating Championship held in Madrid, Spain, last January,” Ateneo said.

“By securing the championship title at the world’s most prestigious debating tournament, the Ateneo debaters established their global reputation as formidable competitors in the realm of debating,” it added.

“The consecutive victories at both the WUDC and UADC affirm Ateneo’s commitment to nurturing exceptional debaters and promoting intellectual discourse,” the school said.