LED BY the heroics of rookie sensation Archie Oliver Martinez, the University of Santo Tomas men’s judo squad blazed to a record-extending fifth straight championship last Feb. 2 at the University of the Philippines – College of Human Kinetics (UP-CHK) Gymnasium in Diliman, Quezon City.
Martinez, who won both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of the Year awards, ran roughshod over his opponents for an undefeated slate in his first UAAP tourney. “Nung sinabi ‘yung pangalan ko, hindi ko in-expect kasi inisip ko lang ‘yung title,” he said.
Competing in the extra-lightweight class, the Masters in Psychology student was set to alternate with last season’s MVP Freddie Agoot. However, last-minute complications in the UST roster caused head coach Jojo Arce to elevate Agoot to the -73 kg (half-lightweight) category, leaving Martinez in the forefront of the team’s campaign.
“Ako kasi yung first man, kaya kinailangang pilitin ko manalo,” Martinez added.
Martinez, who came over from Letran College, proved he was up to the task, leading the Tigers to a lopsided victory against the University of the East (UE) in their tournament opener.
But the España-based squad’s milestone victory was hardly a one-man effort as 2001 MVP Steve Esteban, Agoot, half-middleweight Kim Jin Soo and veteran heavyweight Renan Rodriguez all clocked in stellar efforts to assure UST’s win.
Tribulations
The vaunted Tiger Judokas roster suffered numerous blows even before any player stepped onto the playing mat.
Five-year veteran Francisco “Pacoy” Aniag, the hero of last year’s championship run, was adjudged ineligible by the UAAP after long-time rival UP protested the lack of major units in his academic load. “Lahat na ng kayang gawin ng UP, ginawa na nila para masira ‘yung line-up,” bared UST’s top lightweight bet Emil dela Cerna.
Likewise, Darwin Tai, who was set to carry UST’s load on the half-lightweight division, was disqualified just moments before the tournament commenced for being overweight.
But the most disappointing loss came with the exit of rookie middleweight Jerome Gomez. The Institute of Physical Education and Athletics freshman was disqualified from further competitions after getting slapped with a Hansukumaki (full point penalty) in the España-based judokas’ triumphant encounter against Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU).
After being caught in an armbar, Gomez stood up to avoid submission. His opponent, however, failed to release the hold despite the judge’s gesture for a stoppage. With this, the first-year player slammed his opponent aganist the mat, thus getting himself an ejection.
With Gomez’s departure, Esteban fought in his old weight class after being elevated to the middleweight (-90 kgs) division. Sophomore Jeff Aluyen, who struggled for most of the tournament, took up the slack in the half-middleweight (-81 kgs) division.
The unexpected exit of some of the more reliable players did a lot of damage to the squad’s confidence.
“’Yung morale ng team bumaba. Isa-isa nabawasan ng confidence,” said Aniag, who won a gold medal in individual competition. “Parang sunod-sunod kami. Pero kahit papaano na-compensate ‘yun ng yabang.”
“Nung nawala ‘yung mga players, nawalan ng insurance ‘yung team. Para kaming naglaro nang pilay,” added Rodriguez, who took up the slack in Aniag’s absence.
With those setbacks, some of the players started doubting the possibility of a “five-peat”.
But the outspoken Arce was unfazed, insisting there was no way his wards would lose. “’Yung mga player ko, simula pa lang, kinonsider ko na silang panalo,” he exclaimed.
Repelling rivals
Contrary to expectations, the meeting between UP and UST failed to deliver the drama which characterized matches between the two teams in recent years.
UST won a 4-3 victory, but it was only when the Tiger Judokas conceded their remaining matches after earning a 4-1 count.
Martinez started the Espana-based team’s blitz after putting up an ippon (full-point score) win in the –60 kgs weight class. Agoot, despite being at a huge weight disadvantage, pulled out a 1 1/8-1/4 win to give UST a 2-0 lead.
Dela Cerna, originally a member of the UST Tankers, employed a Kesa Gatame mount to score an ippon and put the España-based squad a win away from disposing its arch-rivals. In the next encounter, UP exacted revenge after it scored its lone win against Jeff Aluyen to pad the tally at 3-1.
Ironically, the clincher came via default since the Diliman-based squad failed to field in a competitor opposite Esteban.
La Salle, which was the last remaining hurdle in the Tiger Judokas’ championship, fell convincingly after Martinez, Agoot, Dela Cerna, and Esteban pulled off four straight victories.
Lady Judokas’ jinx continues
Meanwile, after three long years of placing second behind UP, the UST Lady Judokas continued their losing streak, bowing to their Diliman-based counterparts for another runner-up finish.
The loss, which is the latest in a collection of misses for UST, once again came down to a deciding seventh match. Just like in recent years, the Lady Judokas failed to deliver in the clutch.
“Talo kami by a hair. Talagang nagkamali,” said a regretful Arce, who won his last women’s title in 1999.
Despite this, Arce lamented that the championship wasn’t really meant for his team. “Lahat sila maganda (ang pinakita). Pero talagang ganun. Laro yan eh.”
In the meeting against the UP Lady Judokas, the UST Judokas had the upper hand in the clinching match, with the Lady Maroons’ heavyweight bet hobbled by a leg injury. Veteran Sherilyn Demdam had the distinct advantage against her opponent, who was seemingly unable to show any signs of mobility. In an attempt to finish her rival off, the AB junior capitalized on the injury by dragging her opponent. But in a strange and bitter twist, Demdam lost her balance and fell, with her foe landing on top of her. Demdam was unable to recover, and was defeated via a Kesa Gatame mount that resulted in an Ippon.
The Lady Judokas had looked like they would be able to avenge last year’s loss, fashioning out decisive wins against UE and Ateneo in the start of their campaign.
But it was a totally different story against UP. Kathy Nietes and Wanda Casten dropped UST’s first two assignments. Nietes employed a series of Ko Uchi Garis to take the early lead in the match, but was defeated with an Ippon mount. Casten, on the other hand, suffered a close 1/4-1/8 defeat.
Victories by Cora Alhido, Jones Licup and Carmi De Castro leveled thefield at 3-3, setting up Demdam’s rubber match.
In the team’s match against La Salle, Rechelle Labrador, Alhido Nina Salazar and Licup garnered victories to assure UST’s retention of second place. Christian B. Bautista
