Junior Tiger Trackster Lhynette Libranda became the first UST student to capture a gold medal in this year’s Palarong Pambansa after ruling the 100-meter hurdles on Monday, May 25.
Libranda clocked 14.04 seconds to beat Angelica Belandres, who finished in 14.44 seconds, and three-time Palarong Pambansa champion Angel Villagracia, who recorded 14.57 seconds.
“She has been dominating throughout the year,” UST head coach Manny Calipes told the Varsitarian. “She keeps improving. She listens closely to us that’s why he has been dominating in local and international competitions.”
The victory capped a dominant season for Libranda, who set a new Batang Pinoy record in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.05 seconds last October.
She also established a new record in the same event at the 14th ASEAN School Games in Brunei last November after finishing in 14.20 seconds.
Libranda’s next stop will be the National Open in June, where she will aim to qualify for the World Juniors Championships.
Meanwhile, Ivan Cabanda secured a silver medal in the 110-meter hurdles after clocking 13.55 seconds.
Cabanda is headed to the 2026 World Juniors Championships in Oregon, USA, after surpassing the qualifying standard of 53.00 seconds during the UAAP Season 88 boys’ 400-meter hurdles event.
