AS EXPECTED, the University of Santo Tomas got the much-needed boost from its second semester varsity teams en route to winning its 30th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) General Championship.
After trailing De La Salle University by ten points at the end of the first half, 123-113, UST made a killing in the second half of the season as it took the crown in four events, placed second in five events, while settling for third in another four events.
In the end, the Tigers reign supreme once again, lording over the UAAP kingdom with an accumulated 295 points, besting De La Salle’s 273.
Reversal of roles
Unlike last year, when the Thomasian lady athletes carried the bulk of leading the University to its 29th general championship, UST this time received ample help from its men’s varsity teams, which were responsible for six of the seven championships.
UST’s first title came from the Tiger Spikers, which regained the crown from defending champion De La Salle behind the leadership of most valuable player Anthony Irvin Guiao.
This season also saw the Tiger athletes dominating the table tennis tournament. Led by MVP Harold Baring, the Tiger Paddlers showed their mastery of the event after posting a rare 14-0 sweep to end a six-year title drought.
On the distaff side, the lone women’s varsity team to capture a championship this season, the UST Lady Paddlers snagged their second straight UAAP crown. Anchored on MVP Rhoda Casiño and Rookie of the Year Jaymee Yanga, the Lady Paddlers swept their second round elimination assignments, dropping just four matches in the entire tournament.
In athletics, the UST Tracksters bounced back from a fourth place showing last season to edge University of the East for the UAAP Track and Field title.
Another team that won back-to-back is the UST Tennisters. Exceptional performances from MVP Art Thomas Calingasan and second-year sensation Pius Ocampo carried the Tiger Tennisters to the top as they dismantled the De La Salle Tennisters in the finals.
The UST Taekwondo Jins celebrated the return of national team member Tshomlee Go in their line-up to recapture the UAAP crown they last won in 2000. Go went undefeated throughout the tournament on his way to the MVP award.
The biggest story, however, are the UST Judokas who out-dueled the competition for their fifth straight crown.
With tournament MVP Charles Adam Oliver keying the Judokas’ onslaught, UST fortified its claim as the best on the contact sport.
Almost champions
UST could have won more championships but near misses led to some of the Tiger teams’ relegation to second place.
Despite a late second round rally by the UST Men’s and Women’s Woodpushers, the De La Salle chessers proved to be superior in the board game as they forced their España counterparts to repeat as bridesmaids this season.
Meanwhile, the UST Lady Tankers, also failed to defend their UAAP title, tallying a mere 220 points compared to De La Salle’s 314.5.
Another team that fell short on retaining their UAAP title is the UST Lady Tracksters. UST won only four events in the final round of competition, compared to University of the East for a final tally of 187-263.
The UST Lady Tennisters, who, after winning the inaugural women’s lawn tennis championship last season by sweeping the tournament, fell short this time.
The Lady Tennisters failed to prevent a De La Salle sweep, losing to the Lady Archers in their final elimination round assignment.
Despite the superb performance of Rookie of the Year Jocelyn Naval, the UST Lady Fencers repeated as bridesmaids to University of the Philippines. Naval was the only gold medallist in individual competition as she topped the Sabre event.
Inspired by the return of veteran Ginger Loarca, the UST Lady Booters made waves in the UAAP this season. Nearing the end of the elimination round, the UST Lady Booters put together a string of victories to set a championship match with De La Salle.
However, a fierce offensive outburst by the De La Salle Booters ended the Tigresses’ hopes of ending their season on a high note.
In women’s judo, the UST Lady Judokas continued their string of runner-up finishes intact, yielding to a better performance by the UP squad.
Thomasian pride
With 30 UAAP general championships, and its fifth straight, UST is undoubtedly the best when it comes to developing a balanced sports program.
UST finished in the top three in 21 out of the 26 sporting events. The lowest that UST placed in the recent UAAP season is sixth place, which is women’s basketball.
Those numbers clearly show that UST is doing things right by improving on its performance in the athletic field. This year’s output is the biggest point total ever by UST.
