UST RULED the 23rd Philippine University Games (Unigames) with its tracksters winning 21 gold medals in the athletics competition in Dumaguete City from Oct. 22 to 28.
Female Tracksters Rosnani Pamaybay and Karen Janario ruled the 100 and 200-meter dash events, respectively, while reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Louielyn Pamatian outlasted her opponents in the 400-meter dash and 800-meter run.
Janario and Jessa Jarder conquered the 100 and 400-meter hurdles events, respectively.
Jianne Calis topped the 1500 and 3000-meter run events while Jhanine Mansueto dominated the 5000-meter run.
Alyssa Andrade and Elvy Villagoniza nabbed the top spots in the long and triple jump events, respectively, while Luz Delfin (shotput), Aira Teodisio (discus) and Efrelyn Democer (javelin) also struck gold in the throwing events.
The Female Tracksters also emerged on top in the relay events.
In men’s play, Male Trackster Andre Bardos secured the gold medal in the 400-meter dash event.
Bardos then joined Ronelle Marquez, Eric John Villasan and John Carlo Mariano for another gold in the 4×200-meter relay and the classical relay events, respectively.
“Magandang stepping stone ito kasi maganda ang conditioning nila with one month to go sa UAAP pero hindi pa nila naaabot ang peak nila,” UST Tracksters head coach Manny Calipes told the Varsitarian in a phone interview.
The Golden Tigresses notched their third-straight championship after fending off the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in the finals, 23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-16.
“Hindi kami na-intimidate sa NU noong nanalo sila sa first set kasi kilala naman namin galaw namin. Sinabi ko sa mga bata na bigyan nila ng magandang exit si Sisi (Rondina) kasi last Unigames na niya ito,” Golden Tigresses assistant coach Yani Fernandez said.
The Tiger Spikers were Unigames champions anew after surviving the College of Saint Benilde Blazers in a 25-23, 20-25, 25-21, 20-25, 17-15 thriller.
Setter Tim Tajanlangit’s drop shot in the deciding set iced the Tiger Spikers’ second-straight crown.
The beach volleyball tandem of Baby Love Barbon and Genesa Eslapor dethroned defending champion University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Lady Rams, 21-12, 21-12, to nab gold.
“Last year, biglaan lang ‘yong pagsali namin, pero ngayon, pinaghandaan talaga namin ito, kahit wala si Rondina, nag-step up naman ‘yong dalawa bata,” UST beach volleyball head coach said.
In men’s play, UST’s Efraem Dimaculangan and Rancel Varga took home gold after pounding the Rizal Technological University in the finals, 21-15, 21-12.
