COUNT these Thomasian athletes into Season 71 immortality.
Led by nine Most Valuable Players (MVP)s, the UST contingent not only flaunted its dominance in the overall medal race but also paraded a fine crop individual talents who steered the Pontifical University to its 36th general championship.
Thomasian MVPs Bernardita Mag-aso, Ben Alejandrino, Caryn Pilongo, Jurrie Bernardino, Marichu Bacaro, Harris Orendain, Rey Karl Dimaculangan, Henry James Pecaña and Glen Rodriguez typified UST’s Season 71 rule by setting the bar in their respective disciplines, along with seven Rookies of the Year (ROY)s and other top individual performers.
The Tigers Spikers anchored their flawless 17-0 record on the A1 performances of Best Server Dimaculangan, Best Digger and beach volleyball MVP Pecaña, and Best Attacker Jayson Ramos. Best Attacker Aiza Maizo helped the Lady Spikers secure a third-place finish.
With Orendain and ROY Arth Navarro at the helm, the Male Fencers clinched their second straight title.
Bannered by Pilongo and ace rookie Jade Zafra, the Lady Jins extended their reign to an unprecedented “six-peat” while their male counterparts, who earned a good showing from top greenhorn Dane Pio de Roda, dethroned last year’s champion Far Eastern University.
Manalo again proved instrumental to the Lady Tennisters’ back-to-back title run capped by a flawless 6-0 win-loss slate.
Ignacio, Rookie of the Year Marianne Narciso, Best Defender Louella Amamio, and Best Goalkeeper Irish Rapal led the Lady Booters to their first championship after 14 years of fruitless campaign.
In swimming, Samuel Alcos reaped two golds in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke to pace the Tigersharks, who claimed a long overdue title after a 19-year championship hiatus. The Female Tigersharks, however, yielded a possible “five-peat” title drive and settled for third. But they managed to cop a gold through Edzen Dinglazen in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Laying the groundwork for yet another UAAP dynasty, the Tiger Paddlers essayed a title repeat with veteran Rodriguez and Rookie of the Year Zoren Mendiola at the firing end. In the distaff side, the young Lady Paddlers roster produced a notable newcomer in Princess Masong.
Although the Tigers did not enter the Final Four, Season 70 MVP Jervy Cruz still kept his Mythical Five stature, as this year’s best power forward.
Despite finishing bridesmaids to FEU once more, the Male Tracksters remained a force to reckon with as Alejandrino and prized rookie Ernie Sabudaria led the men’s team, while Mag-aso and top newbie Jean Palencia took care of business in the women’s side.
Not to be outdone, Anna Panghubasan, Rookie of the Year, Best Slugger and player with Most Runs-Batted-In carried UST to runner-up honors, signaling a brighter future ahead for the España-based softbelles. Another UST softbelle Melanie Laserna was hailed as Home Run Queen. M.R.A. Barrios
