CAPAS, Tarlac — National University (NU) reclaimed the title it had ceded last year, pulling through the last three days of intense competition to capture the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 men’s athletics crown on Sunday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here.

The joy of finally securing the elusive crown in Season 86 had faded after several key members of that championship squad graduated, but the Bulldogs’ determination to regain the title was evident, and they were rewarded at the conclusion of the championships.

At the end of the compressed meet, NU amassed 298.5 points for its second championship in three years, marking the school’s second UAAP title this season after its women’s chess victory.

With key veterans back in full health and bolstered by prized recruits from school transfers and the grassroots program, the Bulldogs recalibrated after lagging behind on the first day.

Once they took the lead on Saturday, there was no turning back. NU collected 100 points on the final day, powered by golds in the day’s opening event, the 3,000-meter steeplechase, and the championships’ final event, the decathlon.

Underlining their dominance, three Bulldogs swept the steeplechase podium. Noli Torre led with nine minutes and 28.24 seconds, followed by 10,000 meters champion Rico Jay Patanao at 9:39.93, and Renz Cruz with 9:40.21.

Larry Taripe Jr. then sealed NU’s return to the throne with a flourish, closing out the grueling decathlon with 5,779 points, including a victory in the final 1,500 meters stage.

Far Eastern University’s (FEU) Ronel Juntilla and Rolly Royo Jr. finished second and third with 5,522 and 5,444 points, respectively.

The Tamaraws attempted to end an eight-year title drought but finished second with 272.25 points. Ernie Calipay sparked FEU’s comeback with a gold in the high jump at 2.05 meters, while Adamson University’s Kurt Ragudos and NU’s Kenn Lucero tied for silver at 1.90 meters.

Jazzpeer Arcenal added another FEU gold in the 400-meter hurdles with 53.44 seconds, ahead of Ateneo de Manila University’s Er Yako Mengorio (53.84) and UP’s Alhryan Labita (55.10).

Last year’s champion, University of the Philippines, slipped to third with 213.25 points, following Labita’s bronze in the 400m hurdles and Neil Jasper Salvador’s silver in the discus throw.

Co-Most Valuable Player awardee Russel Ricaforte dominated the discus with a new meet record of 52.62 meters, breaking his own mark of 47.80 meters from last season.

Salvador edged NU’s Dominic Woodward for silver with 43.70 meters against 42.31. Ricaforte, who also won the shot put on the meet’s first day, shared the top student-athlete honor with University of Santo Tomas’ Hokett delos Santos, who claimed the 110-meter hurdles in 14.80 seconds.