BACK-TO-BACK champions UST Female Tracksters barely broke a sweat in defending their crown in the 15th University Games in Negros Occidental last October 26 to 30.
But UST head coach Manny Calipes refused to read too much into the victory, noting the absence of collegiate powerhouse Far Eastern University (FEU) and the University of the East (UE) in the athletics meet held at the Governor Mariano Perdices Memorial Coliseum in Dumaguete City.
Making up for the fourth-place finish of their male counterparts, the Female Tracksters topped the tournament with a 16-7-6 medal tally—a blowout given Ateneo de Manila University’s 2-4-3 output and Rizal Technological University’s (RTU) 1-2-1.
The tournament is patterned after the Olympics wherein the team with the most number of gold medals is hailed as the winner. The UAAP format uses a point system.
“In the Unigames, there is really no dominating school,” said Calipes. “The system used is (based on) medal standing. They (officials) count the golds.”
The Female Tracksters took control of the team events and swept the gold in all relays: 4×100-meter (49.15), 4×200-meter (1:47.56), 4×400-meter (4:10.48) and classical (2:21.97) relays.
Keizel Pedrina collected three gold medals in the 200-meter dash (26.19), 400-meter dash (59.54) and 800-meter run (2:24.23), while Season 70 Rookie of the Year Luville Dato-on ruled the 100-meter dash after clocking 12.47 seconds. Dato-on also clinched the bullion in triple jump (11.49) and long jump (5.83).
Also fueling the medal rush of UST is Viena Mae Banebane, who won a twin-gold in the 100-meter (15.96) and 400-meter (1:07.76) hurdles.
Rookie Jilla Dela Rosa is dominated the 1500-meter run (5:12.54) and 3000-meter run (11:27.57).
Miriam Miranda conquered the 5000-meter (20:59.88) and 10000-meter run (44:51.16).
Among the Thomasians who collected a bundle of silvers were team captain Meriam Colangoy in 100-meter dash (11.52), Joy Albino in triple jump (12.20), Banebane in 200-meter dash (26.38), Dela Rosa in 800-meter run (2:26.56), Miranda in 3000-meter run (11:51.13), Jenelyn Surdilla in 5000-meter run (21:42.15) and Marinel de Chavez in long jump (5.10).
Colangoy earned a bronze in the javelin throw (33.29) while Ma. Dela Paz Banebane ruled the 100-meter hurdles (16.64) rookie Gwendolyn Narciso the 400-meter dash (1:03.78), and 400-meter hurdles (1:09.76), Surdilla the 1500-meter run (5:35.20), and Chairy Palermo the high jump (1.35).
The Male Tracksters settled for fourth with a decent 1-2-4 output, behind reigning titlist Ateneo (5-0-4), De La Salle University (3-3-1) and RTU (2-3-2).
Rookie trackster Rizal Kasim got the lone gold for UST in the javelin throw event (54.11).
Emmanuel delos Angeles and Mark David Madera placed second in the 110-meter (14.95) and 400-meter hurdles (58.77), respectively.
Delos Angeles also bagged third-place honors in the 200-meter dash (22.11). Also good for bronze were Michael Angelo Baay in the 400-meter dash (50.86), Ernie Sabiduria in the javelin throw (51.53), and Marvin Lupinario in the long jump (6.66).
Another title-defender
The UST Lady Spikers showed no trace of on-court rust as they devoured De La Salle in a straight-set beating in the winner-take-all finals, 25-19, 26-24, 25-21 at the Siliman University Gym last October 30.
Prior to the championship, the España-based volleybelles had won a tightly contested semifinals match against the University of Saint La Salle, 25-21, 25-14, 21-25, 25-20.
The Tiger Spikers failed to defend their Unigames crown and settled for third place after succumbing to FEU in the semifinal round, 25-22, 19-25, 25-20, 24-26. 15-11. Frauleine Michelle S. Villanueva with a report from Anne Marie Carmela L. Dayauon
