DEFENDING champion UST Tiger Judokas bagged 12 medals in the UAAP Season 81 judo tournament opener at the De La Salle University Sports Center Saturday.
The Male Judokas placed first with three gold and two bronze medals. The Lady Judokas dominated the tournament anew with a 1–4-2 gold-silver-bronze medal tally.
UST’s Dither Tablan bagged gold anew in the +100 kg category after pounding University of the Philippines’ Dillen Herrera.
Male Judokas George Kim (-100 kg) and Mitchel Salcedo (-90 kg) also copped gold after beating La Salle’s Keith Reyes and UP’s Leon Avendano, respectively.
Randolph Dalupiri settled for bronze in the -90 kg after escaping Ateneo de Manila University’s Allen San Juan.
UST’s Luis San Diego (-81 kg) added another bronze after toppling fellow Thomasian Steven Austria.
“Sa ngayon, kailangan pang bumalik sa basic grounds kasi medyo nakakalimutan nila ‘yong basic na judo. Pero so far, nakuha naman namin ang goal namin,” Male Judokas head coach Steve Esteban told the Varsitarian.
In women’s action, UST’s Khrizzle Pabulayan defeated fellow Thomasian Rhodesa Bayas in the -52 kg category for the Lady Judokas’ first gold medal.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Almira Ruiz settled for silver in the -57 kg category while Devrah Devaras captured bronze.
The Lady Judokas also went 2-of-3 in the -44 kg category with Miam Salvador and Princess Aguilar notching silver and bronze, respectively.
Kimberly Pantoja settled for silver in the -48 kg category after succumbing to University of the East’s Shaira Batalla.
In the juniors’ division, UST’s girls’ team placed first with two gold and three silver medals for 23 points, while the boys’ team sit at third place with 13 markers (1-1-3).
UST will try to defend their crowns today at the same venue.
