DEFENDING champions Tiger Judokas notched six medals, while the UST Lady Judokas collected four on the opening day of the UAAP Season 86 judo tournaments at the Marikina Sports Complex on Thursday, Nov. 30.
Reigning MVP Chino Sy dominated the men’s half-heavyweight under-100 kg division after overwhelming fellow Tiger Judoka Lorenzo Tolentino, who claimed silver, in the finals.
Sy and Tolentino toppled UP’s Christian Sebastian and Laurence Sy, respectively, to secure UST a 1-2 finish.
Rael Abujos fell short of regaining his title in the men’s heavyweight over-100 kg category after being bested by DLSU’s George Baclagan in the finals.
Tiger Judoka Tristan Reyes settled for bronze in the heavyweight over-100 kg, the same category in which he won silver last year, after encountering Baclagan in the semifinals.
Debuting Kyan Ballecer and John Anciete completed the medal haul for UST after collecting bronze medals in the under-90kg and under-81 kg categories, respectively.
The Tiger Judokas sit in second place with 16 points, three points behind league-leading UP, which had 19 points through Day 1.
In the women’s division, the UST Lady Judokas opened their Season 86 campaign with four bronze medals.
Team captain Faiza Azilum finished in third place in the women’s under-57kg weight class, while her fellow Lady Judoka, Angel Cortez, notched bronze in the women’s lightweight under-52kg category.
UST veterans Danica Barela and Mary Baldos also had bronze-medal finishes in the women’s under-48kg and under-44kg weight divisions, respectively.
The UST Tiger Judokas will conclude their UAAP Season 86 tournament at the same venue today, Dec. 1, at 1:30 p.m.
