REIGNING UAAP judo champions UST Judokas hauled 18 medals in the Diliman Slam judo tournament at the Marikina Sports Center last June 24 to 25.
The Lady Judokas brought home three gold, three silver and four bronze medals while the Tiger Judokas collected two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.
“Maganda naging performance [ng most] players. Some of them, kailangan pa ng matinding push para mas gumanda performance,” Lady Judokas team captain Lei Tolentino said in an online interview.
Russel Lorenzo (-60 kg), who edged out Ryan Benavidez of the Grips Judo Club for the gold medal, and Kimberly Pantoja (-52 kg), who defeated fellow Judoka Khrizzie Pabulayan in the championship match, were both named Most Valuable Players.
Rhodesa Mae Bayas (-57 kg) snatched another gold following a win over teammate Tracy Jean Honorio while Almira Ruiz (-63 kg) and Daryl Mercado (-55 kg) also snatched back-to-back gold medals.
Sherwin De Rosa (-66 kg), Jolo Atienza (+100 kg) and Alexis Belen (-48 kg) all clinched silver medals while Shergeon De Rosa (-60 kg), Robert Quito (-81 kg), Mitchell Salcedo (-90 kg), Renzo Cazenas (-100 kg), Miam Salvador (-48 kg), Lorelei Tolentino (-63 kg), Khrishalynd Sapi (-78 kg) and Risa dela Cruz (+78 kg) all settled for bronze.
“Nakita naming kung ano ‘yung kaya ng ibang schools. So from that, mas may idea na kami sa pinaghahandaan naming,” Tolentino added.
