To culminate the clash of wit and speech, the finals rounds for extemporaneous speaking and debate tournament was held at the Finster Auditorium last Aug. 15, 2017.

The Accountancy (ACC) Cluster, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) Cluster faced-off in the final rounds of debate as they competed for the title of grand champion of the tournament.

The motion for the debate was, “This House supports the random drug testing in universities.” The ACC team took the government side whereas the NSM team clashed the former in the opposition side.

Nico Alfafara, from the NSM team was hailed as the Best Speaker for the final rounds. While the best speakers for the whole debate tournament were also recognized where the Social Sciences team debater Nikki Delgado was ranked number one.

When asked how it felt to win the finals round, Sam Barcia of the ACC team expressed her gratitude.

“It feels like an honor, privilege and a responsibility to represent the cluster. After how many years, the Accountancy cluster finally bagged the championship [for debate]. Because in the first place dili man gyud mi dapat apil sa breaks but naapil mi sa breaks tapos nadaog pa gyud mi sa semis. Everything was just unexpected. Our goal was just to do our best then God gave greater than that and I think everything happens for a reason,” Barcia remarked.

Barcia also shared how it was her first time joining the event while it was the third time for her teammates Mia Castillo and Anton Tengco.

Three clusters were represented in the final rounds for the extemporaneous dialogue and such were the Accountancy cluster, Business and Management (B&M) cluster and the Social Sciences (SS) cluster.

The speakers discussed on whether a world with or without religion is preferable.

As the results rolled in, the B&M were hailed as champions for the event, followed by the SS cluster at second place and ACC cluster at third place.

Amelita Carpio from the B&M cluster expressed how ecstatic she was for winning the championship for their cluster.

“Maka-happy siya kasi parang two years na nag-champion ang B&M sa extempo tapos sa year na kami na nag-represent, hindi kami nakapunta kasi hindi kami complete kasi may isa na may flight siya. Tapos ngayon, na give back na naming sa B&M. Makahappy lang gyud,” Carpio shared.

The trophies and medals for the winners will be awarded during the Fiesta awarding night on Aug. 16, 2017.