UST TAEKWONDO teams picked up four wins in the UAAP Season 81 taekwondo tournament opener at the Blue Eagle Gym Wednesday.
The Tiger Jins survived the De La Salle University, 4-3, before escaping the Ateneo de Manila University, 4-3.
“The most important thing talaga ay ‘yong players’ mindset. Kapag na-pe-pressure sa close games they just need to calm down and stay focused, thankfully, the players did it,” UST assistant coach Gershon Bautista told the Varsitarian.
Team captain Aries Capispisan’s kick to the torso of Ateneo’s Miguel Garcia III, 21-20, sealed UST’s win in the secenth game.
Trailing 1-3, Tiger Jins Isaiah Lorbes and Juan Miguel Ramos trounced their respective opponents to tie the match at 3-3.
La Salle zoomed to two quick wins before UST won the next four games, capped by Lorbes’ 23-16 win over Green Jin Mitch Agapito in the sixth game.
In women’s action, the Lady Jins squeaked past the University of the Philippines, 4-3, before overpowering Ateneo, 6-1.
With the game tied at 3-all, Laila Delo defeated UP’s Maureen Omer, 18-6, to give UST the match.
“We prepared very hard for this all year long, UP and Ateneo have good players as well pero we are just the better team this day,” Lady Jins head coach Jasmine Simpao said.
Allysa Asegurado sealed the victory for the Lady Jins in the fifth game after Lady Eagle Jennevive de Asis was disqualified due to an eight gam-jeom (penalties).
Ateneo’s lone win came from Pauline Lopez after outlasting UST’s Gabrielle Limjoco, 12-1, in the fourth game.
Taekwondo action will resume tomorrow as the Tiger Jins face the Far Eastern University and defending champion National University while the Lady Jins will battle La Salle and FEU at the same venue.
