The UST Lady Judokas earned one gold medal courtesy of Christine Quiniones on the opening day of the UAAP Season 88 women’s judo tournament at Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, April 11.
The Lady Judokas also collected one silver and two bronze medals to sit in second place with 12 points, while defending champion University of the East (UE) leads the standings with 15 points.
“Parang disappointed na masaya, mixed emotions,” UST head coach Gerard Arce told the Varsitarian. “Sayang kasi may hinihintay kaming magme-medal sana kaso hindi nakuha.”
“Pero na-overcome din ng dalawang rookies namin na nakakuha ng medals, kahit papano nag-step up sila.”
In the -44 kg division, Quiniones won gold after defeating UE’s Dennice Tan.
Rookies Zoey Itliong and Marvie Cañete added silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Itliong settled for silver in the -52 kg category, where University of the Philippines’ Annika Caminero took the title.
Cañete secured bronze against UE’s Dinzy Flores in the -57 kg category.
Arielle Alcoran also claimed bronze, edging teammate Amber Arcilla in the -48 kg division.
“Hindi pa tapos, may bukas pa, so titingnan pa natin. Hopefully mas mag-uprade ‘yong laro ng mga players.”
In the juniors’ division, the Junior Lady Judokas ended Day 1 with a comfortable 31-point lead in the standings behind a 3-3-1 gold-silver-bronze tally.
Christine Ocampo won gold against UE’s Sollen Trillo in the under-63 kg category.
Riona Rodriguez and Keisha Kate Balisi captured gold in the under-78 kg and plus-78 kg divisions, respectively.
The second and final day of the tournament will be held Sunday, April 12, at the same venue.
