UAAP Season 80 juniors’ taekwondo Most Valuable Player (MVP) Israel Cantos is set to bolster the UST Tiger Jins as they launch their title reclamation trek next season.
Before emerging as an MVP, Cantos almost threw away his dream of playing competitive taekwondo due to weight issues. But a new division rekindled his passion.
From being overweight, the 18-year-old Cantos is now one of the most-skilled heavyweights in UAAP juniors’ taekwondo.
He led the Junior Tiger Jins to back-to-back championships in Seasons 80 and 81.
Listed as 6’0” and 86 kgs, Cantos won a gold medal in the heavyweight category and the MVP plum in the UAAP Season 80 juniors’ taekwondo tournament last Dec. 6.
During his high school freshman year at Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation in Quezon Province, Cantos was forced to quit taekwondo because he could not meet the weight requirement for the welterweight division at 63 kgs. There was no heavyweight division yet.
Cantos focused basketball and did not bother practicing taekwondo for a time.
The introduction of the heavyweight division in 2015 prompted Cantos to compete the Palarong Pambansa 2015 in Davao City.
“Bumalik ‘yong excitement ko sa training sa taekwondo, mas nagustuhan ko pa siya lalo,” he told the Varsitarian.
After Lady Jins head coach Jasmin Stratchan-Simpao scouted him, Cantos decided to commit to UST since some of his former teammates were already Thomasians.
Junior Tiger Jins assistant coach Gershon Bautista acknowledged Cantos’ effective use of height advantage over his competitors.
“Alam niyang gamitin ang height niya, malaking bagay ‘yon for his category,” Bautista said.
But despite a decorated high school career, Cantos hopes to step up his game in the collegiate level.
“Goal ko na pagdating ng college ay maging champion pa rin para maging maganda pa rin ang record ng UST,” he said. “Kapag naglalaro ako, hindi ko goal ang individual awards, ‘yong championship talaga kasi ‘yon ‘yong malaking tulong para sa team.”
Last season, the Tiger Jins fell short in their four-peat bid after surrendering to the National University last Nov. 6.
Bautista said Cantos will play a big role for the team as he will be fielded as the fifth player for decider matches next season.
“Nakikita namin siya automatically in the team play. From the performances the past seasons, maturity niya inside the playing field and ang pagtaas ng skill level niya ay mga proof na ready na siya for the UAAP seniors,” he said.
Cantos also proved his skill does not only translate in the local and national tournaments, but also in the international setting as he took home a gold medal in the 14th ASEAN Taekwondo Championships last May.
As the season approaches, Cantos wants nothing but redemption.
“Dapat hindi lang puro lakas. Utak, talent at diskarte ang gagamitin talaga. May pressure pero gagawin ko ang best ko para mag-contribute sa team,” he said.
The Tiger Jins remain the winningest team in the UAAP with 14 championships.
