THE UST Tiger Judokas reigned supreme anew in the UAAP Season 81 judo tournament, bagging the women’s, men’s and boys’ division crowns at the De La Salle University Sports Center Sunday.
The Lady Judokas notched their fifth-straight title with 36 points, including a 1-8-5 gold-silver-bronze medal tally. University of the Philippines came in at second place with 25 markers.
UST became the first team in UAAP judo history to win five-consecutive championships in the women’s division.
Lady Judokas Althana Caranto (-63 kg), Bernadette Carpio (-70 kg), Jamaika Ponciano (-78 kg) and Risa de la Cruz (+78 kg) all took home silver medals.
Shalimar Masong (-70 kg), Krisha Rotairo (-78 kg) and April Lua (+78 kg) pocketed bronze for UST.
Khrizzie Pabulayan won the Most Valuable Player award in the women’s division.
“We did not focus on the number of golds we could get, instead sa individual points kami nag-focus. It was (all because of) team effort kaya nakuha namin ang championship ulit,” Lady Judokas head coach Gerard Arce said.
In men’s action, the Male Judokas bagged their third-consecutive championship with a 5-2-4 medal haul for 45 points. Rival Ateneo de Manila University and UP settled for silver with identical 18 markers.
UST’s Russel Lorenzo (-60 kg) and Ryan Benavides (-66 kg) snatched gold for the Male Judokas.
Thomas Huckstep (-66 kg) and Czar Bayas (-73 kg) secured silver medals while team captain Niko Ong (-73 kg) and Shergeon de Rosa (-55 kg) both snagged bronze.
Dither Tablan copped the MVP plum in the men’s division.
Benavides was hailed this season’s Rookie of the Year.
“The team really showed a strong performance this year. All of them contributed and they really showed confidence during the matches,” Male Judokas head coach Steve Estaban said.
Next year, the Lady Judokas will lose veteran players Ruiz, Ponciano, Rhodesa Bayas and team captain Kimberly Pantoja while Ong and Luis San Diego will no longer see action for the Male Judokas after completing their playing years.
In junior’s play, the UST boys’ team emerged as champions for the fourth-straight year while the girls’ team settled for second place anew.
