BANISHED from the UAAP pedestal two years ago, the UST Tiger Judokas simply refused to prolong the agony.
And with the help of a braveheart, the multi-titled Tiger Judokas has finally regained the throne from their fiercest rivals on the mat.
With the entire team’s championship hopes resting on his shoulders, Season 69 MVP Stephen Gerena boldly stepped on the 1:19-minute time-bomb, held his seasoned opponent in a vise and executed a neat throw to score an all-important wazari (half-point).
That edgy burst of determination, capped by two more yukos (1/8 point) in the dying seconds of his classic duel with UP Judoka and Season 68 MVP Ronald San Juan, instantly pulled Gerena from the stables of anonymity as he clinched the -60 kg. division gold. But more than earning his mark in the UAAP, Gerena’s make-or-break performance salvaged the pivotal 10th point aggregate to end the Tiger Judokas’ two-year title drought.
“I told myself that I have to win this because it will secure the championship for UST,” Gerena, told the Varsitarian. “I cannot afford to lose since it will nail my team to a lowly fourth.”
Although the España-based Judokas could only muster two golds courtesy of Gerena and veteran team captain Francis Lim, against UP’s three, its two-silver and five-bronze medal output was enough cushion to edge their Diliman counterparts by a point, 40-39, for a record seventh title in nine years. A gold medal is worth 10 points, a silver, five points, and a bronze, two points.
“Gerena’s feat brought our pride back despite of the one-point margin,” Arce said. “Indeed, it was a very sweet victory.”
Compared to San Juan who already held a dan rank (black belt), the white belter Gerena started playing judo just three years ago. The 21-year-old Gerena, however, was not intimidated.
“I did not bother to think of the ranking,” Gerena said. “I just came to win for the team.”
White knight
Like Gerena, the comebacking Lim resembled the white knight that came to the Tiger Judokas’ aid at the height of their gritty crusade toward the championship.
Instrumental in the Tiger Judokas’ unprecedented “six-peat” after extracting the pivotal wazari (half point) in the dying minutes of his finals encounter with La Salle back in 2003, Lim relived his old fiery self as he collared UST’s first gold in the -90 kg. division in Day 1 to jumpstart UST’s campaign.
Despite taking a one-year hiatus due to academic deficiencies, the veteran Lim worked hard in the off-season to help the Tiger Judokas arrest a two-year slump.
“Being the only remaining member of the “six-peat” team, I have to show leadership by example which begins with winning all my fights,” Lim said.
True enough, Lim won all his matches, including a resounding victory over teammate and Season 68 -100 kg. titlist Gian Carlo Saulo carve his niche on the UAAP mat anew and set the tone for another explosive showing next year.
“After winning the judo title this year, I can say that we have a better chance of retaining it, given the experience that our younger players have gained in the off-season,” Lim said.
Backstopping Lim’s observation, the greenhorns in Arce’s fighting crew also poured valuable contributions for UST. John Sanchez pocketed the other silver for the Tiger Judokas in the -80kg. category, while Michael Ong took the bronze in the -66 kg. class.
Despite faltering in the last eight seconds of his semifinal tussle with National Judo Champion Edgar Ordillas, Visam Calimlim also managed to salvage lost ground, winning a bronze in the -73 kg. division.Marc Laurenze C. Celis, Anthony Andrew Divinagracia Calimlim, who scored a last-minute ippon over teammate Pancho Gonzales in their bronze-medal match, was ahead by a koka (1/4 point) over the seemingly awed Ordillas going into the last eight seconds of the match. But instead of melting the clock, Calimlim engaged Ordillas further which allowed the latter to steal the match with a basic hip toss for a hard-earned ippon and a finals slot.
“It was a fatal mistake,” Calimlim said. “I should have just delayed him for five seconds, but I continued attacking, not minding I was leading.”
In the heavier weight divisions, National Juniors Judo Champion Jigoro de Castro and Season 68 -90 kg. gold medalist Alexander Labor also made their presence felt, combining for a pair of bronzes in the -100kg. division, while. Bernard Gatchalian finished third in the +100 kg. category.
Optimistic
As the University hosts the UAAP next season, Arce is set to maintain the pride that the Tiger Judokas once lost after a six-year reign.
“I told my players that more than ever, we have to prove our worth as champions,” Arce said.
Arce said with the return of De La Salle University (La Salle) and the vast improvement of University of the East and Season 69 third placer Ateneo de Manila University, the team, composed mainly of standouts from the UST Judo Intramurals, must work double time in order to extend its supremacy on the battle pads.
“We should not rest on our laurels if we want to retain the title next year. They (Tiger Judokas) have to work hard not only in practice but also in their academics because it is the first requirement in the UAAP,” Arce said.
“Uncertainty is our main aggressor, but with the kind of discipline and dedication that the team possesses as well as the renewed confidence in my players, we are poised to give the other teams a run for their money next season.”
