FROM zero to hero.
After a dismal finish last year, the UST Judokas regained the UAAP championship after ruling the Season 77 judo tournament held last September 27 to 28 at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo de Manila University.
The Tiger Judokas, who held the crown for two straight seasons before they lost it last year, dethroned Ateneo after collecting 11 medals: one gold, five silver and five bronze for a total of 45 points.
Meanwhile, the Lady Judokas, who were the three-peat champions until they settled for fourth last season, deposed De La Salle University after scoring 42 points off 10 medals: two gold, two silver and six bronze medals.
After scoring only 14 points in the opening day, the Tiger Judokas exploded for 31 points in the last day of the tourney to edge Ateneo’s 43 points and University of the Philippines’s 23 for the crown.
Similarly, the Lady Judokas only managed 11 points against Ateneo’s 30 in the opening day but finished strong to climb up to 42 points to triumph over the Lady Eagles (32 points) and University of the East (22 points).
“Kailangan naming bumagsak para ma-realize namin ang mga pagkakamali namin. Sabi ko sa kanila, kukuhain natin ito ngayon, kahit anong mangyari, kukuhain natin ito,” Lady Judokas head coach Gerard Arce told the Varsitarian.
UST likewise swept the individual awards after Al Llamas and Annie Ramirez were crowned Most Valuable Players in the men's and women's divisions, respectively after winning gold medals.
Llamas won over fellow Thomasian Adrian Mercado with a wazari (half point) takedown in their under 66 kg duel after going undefeated in the elimination round.
Ramirez, on the other hand, prevailed over UE’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.
"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 expected a third or fourth-place finish for UST before the season started.
Brian Lllamas, Daryl Mercado, Joaquin Ponciano, Randolph Dalupiri, Princess Lucman and Mae Bayas entered the championship round of their respective divisions but fell short as they settled for silver.
Sherwin de Rosa, Lucky Flores, Niko Ong, Renzo Cazenas, Kazuki Masaoka, Renielyn Castillo, Tracy Honorio, Lorelei Tolentino, Sueko Kinjho, Jyniene Honorio and Jamaica Ponciano rounded up UST's campaign with bronze medals. Delfin Ray M. Dioquino
