November 18, 2015, 11:08p.m. – DEFENDING champions UST Male Judokas and Lady Judokas hauled off 10 medals in a massive opening campaign at the UAAP Season 78 judo tournament Wednesday.
The Male Judokas took home one gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze while their female counterparts grabbed three gold medals, two silver and a bronze in the tournament at St. Benilde Gymnasium of La Salle Greenhills.
Russel Lorenzo (-55kg) edged out fellow Thomasian Daryl Mercado to claim UST’s first gold medal, while Judoka Karl Navarro (-66kg) fell short of claiming another after bowing out to Ateneo de Manila’s Christian Clemente.
Three-time gold medalist Al Llamas (-60kg) settled for bronze, hammered with an Ippon (whole point) by Khalid Macadagdag of the University of the East (UE).
“Medyo careless. Ramdam ko na kaya ko e. Nag-focus ako masyado sa offense, nalimutan ko ‘yung defense ko,” Llamas, the reigning Most Valuable Player, said. “Mataas yung expectation e, pero wake-up call ito para sa akin.”
In the women’s division, Miam Salvador (-44kg) scored an Ippon against Regine Laudino of UE for the gold.
Sueko Kinjho (-52kg) and Khrizzie Pabulayan (-48kg) claimed another pair of gold medals after downing fellow Thomasians Almira Ruiz and Kimberly Pantoja, respectively.
Alexis Belen (-48kg) survived UE’s Jeanaleze Lopez for bronze.
With an early lead in the team standings, Lady Judokas head coach Gerald Arce said finishing strong was their main goal.
“Sanay kasi kami na naghahabol sa standings, parang last year. So ngayon, dapat same intensity sa second day para sa championship,” Arce told the Varsitarian.
Meanwhile, the Junior Golden Judokas dominated the juniors’ division with a nine-medal haul, capped by three gold medals.
David dela Cruz (-66kg), Jefferson Salcedo (-60kg) and Nick Legero (-55kg) all finished on top of the podium.
The UST Judokas will try to go for back-to-back championships in both divisions when action resumes tomorrow at the same venue.
