THE UST Lady Jins broke a three-game losing streak at the expense of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 3-1, in their Smart-Philippine Taekwondo League match-up at the Ateneo de Manila University last May 20.
“We really need to earn points for the team,” said Lady Jins coach Dennis Simpao. “And this time, our players knew that our team had a big advantage against our opponent.”
The Lady Jins had a rough start when Marynel Niagno succumbed to the vicious attacks of Letran’s Vianca Cardona, whose powerful turning long kick punctuated their 60-67kg division bout at 3-6.
But fellow UST Jin Jane Narra struck back and toppled Kaye Failangan, 13-4, in the over-67 kg weight category to register the school’s first victory. Narra dominated with side- and-45-degree kicks that proved too much for her opponent. In a crucial exchange in the second round, Narra landed a strong ax kick to counter the rapid strikes thrown by Failangan.
Early in the first round, Dyana Tabeta avoided a barrage of 45-degree kicks from España-based jin Nikki Amarillo and countered them with solid sidekicks. But come round two, Amarillo crushed her foe with a swift ax in the under-46kg weight division, 5-4.
Lady Jin Michelle Dagpin edged her opponent Sanya Amarillo in the sudden-death round of the 46-53kg division. Both fighters hanged on until the last minute, exchanging vicious kicks. But Dagpin showed greater desire and secured the win with a powerful ax kick.
In the 53-60kg weight division, Camille Acodili knocked off Erika Alvaran, 3-1, using a turning long kick to highlight her victory in the curtain-raiser.
Twist of fate
UAAP runner-up Tiger Jins faltered against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Jins, 1-4, and dropped to a 2-1 win-loss record.
“It’s ironic that, in UAAP, we dominated the mats and we beat FEU. But now, I think the players are just off because of the vacation,” said Simpao.
Justine Medina was the lone player who bagged a win for his squad, hammering his opponent Rojo Gagujas’ body with 45-degree kicks en route to a 6-7 victory.
Season 73 top rookie Clint Ferrer’s feisty roundhouse kick got countered with a turning long kick by Elijah Marcelino, who eked out a 6-5 win.
Skipper Dane Pio de Roda, who had a flu the night before, had no answer to Jude Solis’ turning kicks and loss, 8-10. Marae Deo settled for a 2-2 draw against Raymar Bartolome.
In the nightcap, national team members John Mendoza and Anthony Soriano lost to Alfonso Santillon of FEU, 6-7, for UST’s fourth defeat.
