The Varsitarian

AFTER three fruitless years, the Alfredo M. Velayo-College of Accountancy finally made it to the top of the podium, toppling defending champion Faculty of Arts and Letters (Artlets) en route to bringing home their first Pautakan trophy.

“The word ‘euphoric’ sums it all up. We didn’t expect it, but we had our high hopes,” said team captain Fermin Yabut who led the seven-man team to the championship. Accountancy always fell short of bagging the championship since joining the quiz contest in 2007. They did manage to claim the individual’s plum last year in the form of Yabut.

Accountancy blazed past Nursing with a 40-point lead, answering six difficult round questions worth 20 points each to end with 230 points over-all in the annual quiz contest held last February 24 at the Medicine Auditorium. Nursing ended as bridesmaids with 190 points, while Artlets dropped to third place with 175 points.

“We didn’t expect to go this far, or to be competing with last year’s champions. It was a good fight and we are proud of the honor we gave to our college,” said Nursing team captain Clark Edward Uytico.

Artlets made up for their team’s loss with political science senior David Nadora, Jr. claiming the individual’s crown. Yabut looked to bring a back-to-back championship for Accountancy had Nadora not spurned a last minute burst in the final two questions of the difficult round to come out on top with a 190-170 register.

“I guess I just had the gift of luck,” Nadora said. “I didn’t really know much on Philippine history or international sports, but I’ve made it through.”

Ernesto Paruli III of Science placed second with 125 points, while debuting Pautakan soloists Francisco Montalvo III of Engineering and Mary Ann Estigoy of Nursing tied at third place with 120 points each.

“We hope to keep this trophy with us until we can. The team worked together [for] this victory. Accountancy will surely be back in next year’s Pautakan with fervent hope to defend the throne,” Yabut said. M. R. B. Maranan