ASHS is 4-peat champ of Asia debate

Composed of Ateneo de Manila Senior High School debaters Kiel Mirandilla (11-Hurtado), Kristen Reyes (11-Fontoura), Andrew Tan (11-Wright), and recent graduates Ivan Valenzuela (12-Geronimo) and Pio Ventura (12-Xavier), Team Ateneo Kostka was unanimously crowned open grand champion of the World Schools Debating League (WSDL) Asia Spring 2023 on May 20, 2023. Meanwhile, the Ateneo Ignatius team composed of Heejae Cho (11-San Vitores), Sean Cuevas (11-San Vitores), Sam Tango (11-Torres), and recent graduates Aliah Garcia (12-Holland) and Aliyah Herlihy (12-Anchieta), emerged as open semifinalist of the competition.   
ASHS debaters also dominated the tournament’s top three speaker awards: Sam Tango was named Overall Best Open Speaker, Daniella Barbacena (12-Anchieta) of open quarterfinalist team Ateneo Gonzaga was named 2nd Best Open Speaker, and Aliah Garcia was named 3rd Best Open Speaker. A fourth ASHS debater, Jasmin Ang (11-Nakaura) of the Ateneo Gonzaga team, was named 7th Best Open Speaker. 

Hosted by LearningLeaders in collaboration with Harvard College Debating Union, WSDL Asia Spring 2023 took place online via Zoom and Discord on March 8, 15, 22, & 29, April 12, 19, & 26, and May 20, 2023. It attracted teams from different regions and institutions in Asia, such as Chinese International School, which Ateneo Kostka beat in the finals. The victory also marks a four-peat championship for the ASHS, whose debaters retained the crown after winning the three previous seasons of WSDL.