THE UST Tiger Judokas failed to retain their championship in the UAAP men’s judo tournament, earning a silver medal at the conclusion of Season 86 at the Marikina Sports Complex on Friday, December 1.
UST ended its streak of five straight titles after being topped by the UP Fighting Maroons, who achieved their first crown in 16 years.
Tiger Judoka Ryan Benavidez ruled the men’s half-lightweight under-66kg weight division after disposing of UP’s Robert Maala in their final matchup.
Benavidez outclassed DLSU’s Renzo Tomas in the quarterfinals before finishing off Ateneo’s Geoff Apostol in the semifinals to remain the men’s half-lightweight king.
Janry Pamor bested his third-place finish last year after toppling DLSU’s Ron Novino to secure the silver medal in the men’s featherweight under-66 kg category. He lost to UP’s Hye Jun Lee for a battle for gold.
UST’s Ralph Suarez also captured the silver medal in the men’s lightweight under-60 kg weight division, while his fellow Tiger Judoka, Season 82 MVP Nick Ligeri, notched bronze.
The Tiger Judokas earned a total of 30 points with a 2-4-4 gold-silver-bronze medal haul, while the UP Fighting Maroons tallied 48 points to snap their 16-year title drought. DLSU placed third with 14 points.
In the women’s division, the Lady Judokas also settled for silver despite a dominant second day for UST.
Jeniva Consigna bagged UST’s first gold medal after overwhelming her fellow Lady Judoka Felice Barbuco in the stacked women’s half-heavyweight under-70 kg category.
Barbuco was named women’s Rookie of the Year.
Princess Cortez stepped up a weight class and copped silver in the women’s half-middleweight under-63 kg weight category, while Jeanmae Lobo clinched silver in the women’s heavyweight under-78 kg category.
Lady Judokas April Lua and Kathleen Ferriols shared the third spot in the women’s open weight over-78 kg.
The UST Lady Judokas finished their Season 86 campaign with 22 points, 15 points behind the UE Lady Warriors, who tallied 37 points for their third straight title. Ateneo completed the podium and took home the bronze medal with 16 points.
