MANILA -- Student-athletes who participate in the UAAP Esports tournament will have long-term benefits as the program continues, its commissioner said.

For UAAP Esports Season 87 commissioner Monique Monasterio, having this tournament will allow esports players to pursue their dream schools on top of a more steady road to becoming a professional esports player in the future.

"Suddenly there's more opportunity for them to get into their dream schools, because once esports becomes a varsity, an official varsity in these universities, then all the perks and benefits of that will come along with it, including scholarships," Monasterio said on ANC's Headstart.

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"Again, similar to how we view traditional sports like basketball, which is one of the most popular, if you're good at something... so many more opportunities open up for you," she added.

Esports players from Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and the University of the East became inaugural champions for NBA2k24, VALORANT, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, respectively.

UAAP's participation in the collegiate esports ecosystem also means added trust towards the industry, which remains taboo for families who are more conservative towards technology and gaming as a hobby or a profession.

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"I guess from the point of view of these kids, aside from seeing a professional career in esports, now they can even go past that," Monasterio said.