S87 Esports: La Salle opens VALORANT defense with xavi8k

Games on Wednesday 
Quantum Skyview Deck, Gateway 2 Mall
10 a.m. - NU vs DLSU (VALORANT)
1:30 p.m. - UST vs UP (VALORANT)
5 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE (VALORANT)

The UAAP Esports VALORANT Tournament returns on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Quantum Skyview Deck of Gateway 2, Araneta City, with defending champion De La Salle University opening its title defense against National University.

Xavier Juan, known as xavi8k in the VALORANT pro scene and La Salle’s head coach last season, will return to the spotlight as a player after regaining his amateur status and clearing eligibility requirements.

Juan joins a dominant Viridis Arcus squad that went undefeated in last season’s tournament to capture the inaugural UAAP VALORANT crown.

“Deep inside, I’m still a player. My passion is to compete. Playing, not coaching. Maybe in the future I’ll coach after getting experience here, like having a backup plan. But honestly, I still wanna compete, and I know I can still compete,” said Juan, moments after piloting La Salle to the championship last year.

In November, Juan also led Viridis Arcus to a runner-up finish at the Predator League Philippines 2025.

Taking over as La Salle's head coach is Aron Orlando, the former tactician of UP’s VALORANT squad.

La Salle joins National University, Ateneo, and University of the East in Group A.

The teams will compete in a single round-robin best-of-three format, with the top two advancing to the crossover semifinals.

Meanwhile, Season 87 runners-up University of Santo Tomas are grouped with Adamson University, University of the Philippines, and Far Eastern University in Group B.

Aside from VALORANT, the UAAP Season 87 Esports Tournament will also showcase NBA2K and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), both slated from May 13 to 16.

All matches will be aired live on Pilipinas Live and the UAAP Varsity Channel.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team