The UST Lady Judokas secured 12 medals at the 2026 National Capital Region Judo Association Judo Championships held Aug. 15 to 16 at the San Andres Sports Complex.
UST brought home three golds, three silvers, and six bronzes.
Rookie Zkeana Valdez, Mariel Membrillos and Sophie Madamba led the Tiger Judokas’ medal haul, winning gold in the -52kg, -70kg and +78kg divisions, respectively.
The Lady Judokas also claimed three silver medals through Angel Cortez (-57kg), rookie Marlyn Babor (-63kg) and Grace Gangan (-70kg).
Meanwhile, Samantha Vidor (-44kg), Kryschelin Oledan (-44kg), Arielle Alcoran (-48kg), and rookies Karoly Sevilla (-52kg), Ezyl Kaye Diaz (-57kg) and Gabrielle Gambe (-78kg) each secured bronze.
“We’re still at the start of our preparation for the second semester campaign. We are still gauging our players’ performance and their style at diskarte sa laro,” head coach Gerard Arce told the Varsitarian.
The Lady Judokas won the UAAP Season 88 judo crown, ending the University of the East’s four-year championship run.
The team revamped its program during the offseason and welcomed a new addition to its coaching staff.
“We have eight rookies this year, six of them already played, the other two are still waiting for their turn,” Arce said. “All of our players will undergo a selection process and be subject to rankings before they can play in Season 89.”
“Even if we got the title last season we still want our team to be more consistent and determined and much hungrier than the last time,” he added.
The UAAP judo tournament is typically scheduled toward the latter part of the second semester. Jay-z V. Perez
