Manila, Aug. 17 -- University of the East and University of the Philippines beat their rivals in the 2026 UAAP VALORANT tournament Sunday night at the MVP Studios in Mandaluyong City.

The Red Warriors, without head coach Vincent Paul Lubio who was hospitalized due to dengue, scored a 2-0 victory over two-time bronze medalist Ateneo de Manila University.

"We are happy to have had a strong start this season, unlike the previous two seasons where we were at the bottom of the pack. We started strong, and we intend to keep it up," said UE stalwart Francis Andrei De Guzman, adding that Lubio's absence also motivated them to win.

He credited sixth man Robin Sevilla for playing a crucial role as the team's stand-in coach.

"Earlier, it was ou...