THE UST Junior Tiger Jins’ reign atop the UAAP high school kyorugi tournament has ended after settling for silver in Season 86 at the Marikina Sports Complex on Monday, Nov. 27.
UST reigned the tournament from Season 80 to Season 85 (2017-2022), except in Season 83 and Season 84 when no tournaments were held due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Junior Tiger Jins ended their Season 86 campaign with a 4-1 win-loss record, behind the National University Nazareth School, who claimed the championship after finishing the season unbeaten with a 5-0 record. Ateneo de Manila University finished third with a 3-2 slate.
UST cruised to three victories after dominating the University of the Philippines Integrated School (5-0), De La Salle Zobel School (4-1) and Ateneo High School (4-1).
NU gave UST its only loss, 4-1.
In UST’s final game, the Junior Tiger Jins vented their ire on Far Eastern University, 5-0.
“Okay naman. Nagkulang lang talaga. Kumbaga kinapos lang,” UST head coach Christian de la Cruz told the Varsitarian. “Magte-training ulit kami for next year. Masasabi ko lang, goal namin babawi kami next year para makuha ulit ‘yung championship.”
De la Cruz said that this year’s UST roster only had two holdovers from last season, who will be graduating this year.
“Rebuild kami kasi graduating na ‘yung dalawa. Kaya may mga recruits naman na kami for next year para ready na ulit kami sa Season 87,” he said.
Junior Tiger Jin John Callejo was named Rookie of the Year.
In the individual category, Gavilanes clinched UST’s lone gold. Junior Tiger Jins Julio Zapata, Jose Cartagena and Sebastian Durana snagged silver medals in their respective categories, while Callejo copped a bronze medal.
UST is still the winningest team in high school kyorugi with 14 titles.
In the collegiate division, the UST Tiger and Lady Jins will kickstart their Season 86 campaigns on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the same venue.
