Sept. 28, 2014, 9:21 p.m. – AFTER a disappointing
campaign last year, the UST Judokas are back on top of the UAAP pecking order
after being crowned overall champions in the Season 77 judo tournament at the
Ateneo Blue Eagle gym, Sunday.
The Tiger Judokas dethroned Ateneo de Manila University
after collecting 11 medals: one gold, five silver and five bronze for a total
of 45 points. The Lady Judokas deposed De La Salle University after bagging 10
medals: two gold, two silver and six bronze for 42 points.
After registering a mere 14 points in the opening day
yesterday, the Tiger Judokas exploded with 31 points today to edge Ateneo’s
aggregate of 43 points and University of the Philippines’ 23.
Similarly, the Lady Judokas scored only 14 points in the
opening day, but finished strong with a total of 42 points to triumph over
Ateneo (32 points) and University of the East (22 points).
Al Llamas and Annie Ramirez were crowned Most Valuable
Players in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, after winning gold
medals for UST.
Llamas won over fellow Thomasian Adrian Mercado with a
wazari (half point) takedown in their under 66 kg duel after both breezed
through undefeated in the elimination round. Meanwhile, Ramirez prevailed over
University of the East’s Patricia Rosario with an armbar finish in their under
63 kg championship match.
Ednorly San Andres delivered the other gold medal for the
Lady Judokas with a last-minute ippon (whole point) against UP’s Kristine Yu.
In other matches, Brian Lllamas, Princess Lucman and Daryl
Mercado settled for silver after falling short against their respective
opponents.
Lucman was a minute away from winning after scoring a wazari
midway through the match, but La Salle’s Justin Pongase had a last-minute ippon
takedown to take away the gold.
Sherwin de Rosa, Reinely Castillo, Lucky Flores, Niko Ong,
Jyniene Honorio and Jamaica Ponciano rounded up UST’s campaign with bronze
medals.
“Unexpected ang nangyari. Malakas talaga ang UP at
Ateneo. Hindi ko inexpect na ‘yung non-medalists noon, may medal na
ngayon,” said Tiger Judokas head coach Steve Esteban, who had expected a
third- or fourth-place finish for UST.
“Parang Season 75 ang nangyari kasi naghabol lang din
kami noon. Hindi na ako naniniwala na kapag hindi sa iyo, hindi sa iyo.
Kailangan mong piliting maging sa iyo,” Lady Judokas head coach Gerard
Arce said.
With today’s victories, the Tiger Judokas became 10-time
titleholders, while the Lady Judokas clinched their seventh title. D. R.
M. Dioquino
