UP's Clint Niño Neri competes in the men's long jump event in the UAAP Season 87 athletics championships, November 18, 2024 at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. UAAP MediaMANILA -- Clint Niño Neri made a successful defense of his men's long jump crown to propel University of the Philippines to the top spot after the second day of the UAAP Season 87 athletics championships, Monday at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

The third-year standout led a trio of Fighting Maroons in the finals with a leap of 7.33 meters—just shy of the UAAP record. 

Joining Neri in the points haul were Leolan Oranza, who clinched the silver with 7.06 meters, and Rainier Sobrepeña, who finished fifth with 6.95 meters. These results pushed UP ahead of University of Santo Tomas with a total of 120 points.

Adamson University's Kent Francis Jardin secured the bronze with a jump of 7.04 meters.

"Of course, sobrang saya this day and I hope na from Day 2, from now on, matuloy na 'yung lead namin. Kasi we're aiming for the championship and bringing it back to Katipunan this season," said Neri, a Physical Education major. "I'm so grateful rin kasi last season, ako lang mag-isa. But right now, nandyan 'yung mga teammates ko, and pumasok rin sila ng finals."

-- UST stays close -- 

UST remains in striking distance with 111 points, thanks to Johnpaul Araneta's second gold medal of the meet. The 100-meter dash champion added the 200-meter title to his collection, clocking in at 21.75 seconds, ahead of NU's Orly Orongan (21.91) and Jardin (21.96).

READ: Araneta's triumph highlights UST's opening day dominance in athletics

Meanwhile, University of the East shone in the 10,000-meter races, securing two gold medals.

James Darrel Orduña dominated the 10,000-meter run, finishing in 32:10.81—nearly a minute ahead of Far Eastern University's Rogen Aguirre (33:07.02). UP's Roy Laudit settled for bronze with 33:54.22.

In the 10,000-meter racewalk, Vincent Vianmar Dela Cruz defended his crown with a record-breaking 48:27.08, shattering his previous UAAP record of 49:33.97. Adamson's John Yuri Umanday edged FEU's Justine Macuring for silver, clocking 51:01.07 compared to 52:30.72.

-- FEU paces women's division -- 

FEU's Annie Mercurio celebrates after winning the women's 200-meters in the UAAP Season 87 athletics championships, November 18, 2024 at the New Clark City Stadium in Capas, Tarlac. UAAP Media

FEU's Annie Mercurio secured her second gold of the championships, leading the Lady Tamaraws to a commanding 187.5 points in the women's division. The 22-year-old senior sprinted to victory in the 200 meters with a time of 24.75 seconds, beating De La Salle University's (DLSU) Bernalyn Bejoy (25.07) and teammate Shane Joy Ponce (25.14).

Earlier, Rica Mae Balderama set the tone for FEU with a triple jump gold, leaping 12.52 meters. UST's Jeanne Arnibal followed closely with 12.47 meters for silver, while DLSU's Abcd Agamanos took bronze with 12.26 meters.

Arnibal redeemed herself in the heptathlon, dominating the final three events to claim the title with 4,373 points. Her performance boosted UST to 132 points, keeping them within range of the Lady Tamaraws.

READ: UP's Niñura claims second athletics gold

The morning session also saw UST's Lanie Carpintero win the javelin throw with a distance of 47.36 meters. DLSU's Ann Katherine Quitoy (40.19) and Adamson's Elizabeth Sicat (37.87) completed the podium.

The FEU mixed 4x400-meter relay team of Timothy Ochukwu, Kaye Villanueva, Jazzpeer Arcenal, and Susan Ramadan capped the day with a record-breaking performance. They clocked 3:33.6, smashing the previous mark of 3:39.31 set by NU last season.

The UAAP Season 87 Athletics Championships continue on Tuesday at 6 a.m.