Who wins the UAAP Mr. Congeniality award?

Let's face it, athletes from the collegiate ranks have now become public figures. As young as they are, they will have to learn how to deal with fandom, or risk getting caught in controversy. 

With Season 85 over, user @hoonciaga asked Twitterverse about their best interactions with UAAP athletes. She wondered if Evan Nelle of the DLSU Green Archers is the runaway winner. 

si evan ba ang friendliest/ most approachable uaap athlete this season?

if meron pa kayong athlete in mind, feel free to share your interactions with them 🫶

— kaki (@hoonciaga) December 28, 2022

Tweep @archerspikers agreed with Kaki, recalling her interaction with the DLSU point guard.

si evan talaga eh 😭😭😭 imagine mallate ka na sa training pero makikipagusap at picture ka pa HDNDNA hay miss u boss https://t.co/tmV17dfJqS

— ley (@archerspikers) December 28, 2022

But that's only the beginning. The topic is so golden that it led to a series of wholesome stories about our favorite UAAP stars.

BJ Andrade

At the top of the list for most fans was Ateneo’s team captain BJ Andrade. They said that Andrade was responsive on social media, but also friendly even during game days. 

I'll go w BJ Andrade haha!! he's very nice and responsive siya sa social media. tho I haven't met him irl YET pero he always reads my dms sa ig and nagrereply din pa minsan minsan 🫶🏻🫶🏻 https://t.co/VspkbdTaMy

— 🌷 (@whosrinz) December 29, 2022

maaari bang makalimutan ko to syempre si BJ ANDRADE. super bait neto, ang appreciative sa lahat ng binibigay sa kanya, and inaaccomodate lahat ng magpapapic, love u big time BJ!! https://t.co/1H77mm0vJv pic.twitter.com/sJG5SvBqaK

— cristine (@worldwidemyg) December 28, 2022

ay pero wala pong makakatalo rito 🤣pic.twitter.com/rG8rsPDiE8 https://t.co/s4n4trRGcp

— ?🫧 (@blueagled) December 28, 2022

Penny Estacio

Another athlete who was getting recognition from the fans was DLSU’s rookie Penny Estacio.

nung dlsu-ust game, andon kami sa may gate and ayaw ko pa lumabas kasi ongoing pa admu-adu. penny was outside na pala tapos pumasok siya kasi idk HAHAHA pero pabalik balik siya and everytime papasok siya sa araneta, dumadami dala niya. even though full na hands niya, he still + https://t.co/gvU2mTN9PD

— ree (@ariyakaidy) December 29, 2022

taya ko buhay ko kay penny sa ganto pag sa arena :)) matic yan sha, kahit bardahin mo pa 🤩🤩 https://t.co/VJz9j1bbRt

— j (@nelledimes) December 28, 2022

si Penny huhu, nung nanood kami non nagtanong kami kung pwede pumuntang parking ayon sumunod sya 🤣🤣 https://t.co/WAForzTHXg

— simp4jcee | — champs baby!!? (@_prettyyinx) December 28, 2022

Kai Ballunggay 

Back at La Salle's rival school, Ateneo, it's Blue Eagle Kai Balunngay who seems to interact with the fans a lot.

I think it’s @kainoaballungay for me 😌 he’s the sweetest 😩💙 https://t.co/FT8uWwHX3e pic.twitter.com/atUkckSsFM

— cia (@chriskaisgame) December 28, 2022

Kainoa big check ?? https://t.co/q8lvAxhiOH pic.twitter.com/YYBJyUBlm4

— rei (@_ezlrei) December 28, 2022

Notable Mentions: Dave Ildefonso, Zav Lucero, Geo Chiu, Xyrus Torres

Si dave din!!! Kahit laging dumog at hirap kami makapapicture at sign pero grabe patience nya sa mga requests ako na yung naiinis minsan hahahaha charot!!! What if ako na mag sign shirsey mo @shannacherisse 🤪 https://t.co/9N53Vr5iGi

— Yhana 🎀 (@yhanabeee) December 28, 2022

Zavier Lucero. Swear!!!! Fight me 😫 https://t.co/NE8SG9pSfm

— tin (@zavinilucero) December 28, 2022

xyrus torres !!!! hindi talaga siya naalis hanggang may gusto pa magpapic 😭 https://t.co/VJz9j1bbRt

— j (@nelledimes) December 28, 2022

si @thebulldozer518 pambato ko dito 🫶🏼 https://t.co/kgl0nbNhcx pic.twitter.com/vQMPKqXA2q

— icy (@brysgame) December 28, 2022

Of course, this is not everyone. It's quite impossible to list all of the friendly UAAP cagers, especially when they have become more approachable over the years. 

The winner? The fans.

And we love it.