UST DOES not have a license to celebrate this early.
With the conclusion of the first chapter of UAAP Season 72, the España army cannot afford to be complacent if it aims to extend its reign at the top of the UAAP for the 12th straight year.
UST so far a 153 point aggregate, only 17 points shy of second-seeded De La Salle University (136 points). Ateneo de Manila University came off as a surprise third placer with 118 points after besting last year’s third-seeded team, University of the Philippines (UP).
Title defense had been elusive for UST as it was dethroned in three sporting events: men’s swimming, men’s table tennis, and women’s taekwondo.
UST also dropped from the top three seats in the women’s division of badminton, swimming and beach volleyball.
On the other hand, the Tiger Jins and the Tiger Spikers retained their podium finish in Taekwondo and beach volleyball, respectively while the Male Shuttlers quenched a two-year title drought in the badminton wars.
“We are still second placers (in some events) and it’s not a bad thing,” said Asst. Prof. Felicitas R. Francisco, assistant director of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA).
“If this trend continues, we’re going to make it,” she said.
There was a time when UST only had a few championship trophies and ended second place in a number of events but still got the general championship title.
Ups and downs
Contrasting fates landed on the Taekwondo teams as the Tiger Jins looked to build another formidable dynasty with their “two-peat” crown, while the Lady Jins waved goodbye to their classic six-year dominance after a De La Salle upset.
Tiger Jins Marlon Avenido and Jose Soriano were named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of the Year (ROY), respectively.
In another combat sport, the Tiger and Lady Judokas both wound up second after bowing down to Ateneo and UP, respectively. The Tiger Judokas collected 29 points compared to Ateneo’s 35 points, while the Lady Judokas managed to set 34 markers, eight points short of UP’s 42-point output. Alexis Albor proved to be instrumental after making it as the top rookie this year.
In the beach volleyball hostilities, the comebacking tandem of Jayson Ramos and Season 71 MVP Henry Pecaña ruled the sand courts anew after a one-sided finals encounter with bitter rivals Far Eastern University, to atone for the fourth-place finish of greenhorns Jen Fortuno and Maruja Banaticla of the Lady Spikers. Icing UST’s victory cake, Jayson Ramos and Maruja Banaticla emerged as the MVP and ROY, respectively.
The Male Shuttlers looked on to MVP Paolo Dawal for a sweet badminton finale against De La Salle to halt a two-year title hibernation. However, the depleted line-up of their female counterparts resulted in a fifth-place finish from last year’s second-place performance, after losing majority of team veterans to graduation.
Placing second this year were the Tiger and Lady Paddlers after nursing a double-whammy against perennial rivals FEU in the table tennis wars.
Weighed down by a paltry 189 points, defending champions the Tigersharks finished third in the pool hostilities after failing to subdue De La Salle’s 240 points and bridesmaid Ateneo’s 196 points.
The Female Tigersharks were dealt a similar blow, as they dropped from last year’s second to a dismal fourth place this season.
In the basketball wars, the Growling Tigers and Tigresses had a fruitless campaign, despite their entry to the Final Four. The Tigers had a shot for a finals berth but was denied by top-seeded Ateneo. UST claimed prestige in top individual awards though, with MVP Dylan Ababou and ROY Jeric Teng.
The Tigresses, who failed to pierce FEU’s twice-to-beat armor in the Final Four, settled at the fourth spot.
Next semester, the Thomasian community will see action in Athletics, Baseball, Chess, Fencing, Football, Lawn Tennis, Softball, and Volleyball.
