AFTER their five-year reign was snapped last year, the UST Tiger Judokas completed redemption and reclaimed the UAAP judo throne on Sunday during the Season 87 men’s judo tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Tiger Judokas bagged two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals on the last day of the tournament en route to their 15th championship overall.

UST finished the tournament with a 4-5-4 gold-silver-bronze medal haul to amass 47 points, 13 more than the runners-up UP Fighting Maroons.

Troy Legaspi was the highlight of the tournament for the Tiger Judokas, dominating his opponents before defeating his teammate Jandrei Sotto in the -66 kg final.

He earned the Season 87 MVP award as he took down Sotto via tai-otoshi in just seven seconds during the final.

Janry Pamor dethroned defending two-time -55 kg champion Hyejun Lee of UP to cap off UST’s title run.

“Nagbunga ang sacrifices and sobrang thankful and masaya kami na ‘yong support nandoon pa rin kahit hindi kami nag-champion last year,” UST head coach Steve Esteban told the Varsitarian.

UST lost to the UP Fighting Maroons last season, which ended its five-year reign.

“Maganda ‘yong performance namin. ‘Yong coaches nagawa nila ‘yong trabaho nila na matutukan ‘yong players at ‘yong strength and conditioning maayos,” Esteban said.

Rodge Bernal was hailed Rookie of the Year after winning the -90 kg category on Day 1.

Ralph Suarez and Rodhenyel Lopez also won bronze medals in the -60 kg division to add to UST’s haul on Day 2.

In the women’s tournament, the Lady Judokas bagged silver anew, ending the season with a 1-1-9 tally, good for 19 points.

Sherilyn Tagra (minus-63 kg), Mariah Lua (minus-70 kg), Margaret Fajardo (minus-78 kg), and Lea Loren Quimba (plus-78 kg) all had bronze medals on Day 2 to help secure the second-place finish.

The UE Lady Warriors dominated the women’s tournament with 40 points, built on a 4-3-3 tally, bagging their fourth straight title.

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