THE UST Female Tracksters reigned anew for the fourth-straight year, but the Male Tracksters slipped to fifth place at the end of the UAAP Season 80 athletics tournament at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig Sunday.
UST defended its title in the women’s division with a total of 434 points and a 15-6-6 gold-silver-bronze medal haul, leaving Far Eastern University (357 points) and University of the Philippines (170.5 points) at second and third place, respectively.
Louielyn Pamatian was named Most Valuable Player for the second-straight year in the women’s division after bagging gold medals in the 4×400-meter relay, 400-meter sprint and 800 and 1500-meter run.
Pamatian then joined Feiza Lenton, Eloiza Luzon and Rosnani Pamaybay for another gold in the women’s 4×400-meter relay with a 3:57.52-second finish.
Aira Teodosio set a new record in the women’s hammer throw event with a 43.23-meter finish, eclipsing her last year’s record of 41.8 meters.
Alyssa Andrade and Judy Mae Almasa nabbed silver and bronze medal in the long jump category, respectively, after recording 5.38 and 5.37 meters.
Karen Janario added bronze in the 100-meter hurdles with a 14.59-second output.
“Expected na iyan na bubuhos ‘yung puntos dahil strongest events namin ‘yung mga naiwan. Deciding factor ‘yung nakuha natin ang MVP. We are on target kaya we didn’t feel any pressure of losing the title,” UST head coach Emmanuel Calipes told the Varsitarian.
The Male Tracksters failed to reach the podium this year after collecting two silver and two bronze medals for 118 points.
Joel Hera’s 15.19 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles was good for silver while Kevin Capangpangan added bronze in the 1500-meter run with 4:07.37.
FEU extended its reign to eight-straight years in the men’s division with 425 points. University of the East followed with 222 points while De La Salle University finished with 220 markers for third place.
“Mas marami ang athlete ng kalaban pero we ended up higher in some events. In-expect sa atin na dahil kaunti sila, mahihirapan sila pero nandoon ang pride nila kaya nagawa pa rin magka-medalya,” Calipes added.
The men’s team had trouble finding recruits as an effect of the K-12 program and lost top pole vaulter EJ Obiena to injury last August.
