Emma Malabuyo stuns on beam as UCLA Bruins secure NCAA runner-up
Emma Malabuyo (center) | Photo from uclagymnastics/Instagram
Sticking a season-high 9.975 beam routine under immense pressure, Filipino American Olympian Emma Malabuyo lifted the UCLA Bruins into their first NCAA gymnastics final in six years – then helped them finish second in the nation.
The 21-year-old Paris Olympics veteran proved her poise on one of the biggest stages of her life, anchoring a dramatic semi-final performance that secured UCLA’s ticket to the championship round. There, the fifth-seeded Bruins pushed the top contenders to the limit, ultimately settling for the runner-up spot with a score of 197.6125.
The team was narrowly edged out by the dominant Oklahoma Sooners, who clinched the title with a winning score of 198.0125, extending their reign as one of the most successful programs in NCAA gymnastics history.
Malabuyo, unfazed by the spotlight, continued her standout campaign in the final, executing a full-twisting double back with finesse and scoring 9.8875.
Following the competition, the UCLA Gymnastics program took to Instagram to celebrate the squad’s achievements, posting, “The UCLA Bruins are your National Runner-Ups.”
The team added, “Forever proud of this Bruin squad!” and honored its graduating athletes in a separate tribute: “A legendary senior class. They set out to restore the legacy, and they did just that. Thank you, seniors, for everything. #BruinsForLife.”
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And while the competition marked the end of the season, it wasn’t the end of the road for one of UCLA’s brightest stars.
Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles teased fans with a bold declaration on social media: “Yes I’m coming back,” hinting that the Bruin crowd hasn’t seen the last of her in blue and gold.
Although the championship slipped away by just four-tenths of a point, the Bruins restored pride and belief in the program, setting a high bar for the years to come. For Malabuyo, it was another chapter in an extraordinary journey.
