The UST Junior Tiger Jins failed to reclaim their title as they succumbed to defending champions NUNS Bullpups, 4-1, to finish second in the UAAP Season 87 boys’ kyorugi tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 21.
The loss marked the Junior Tiger Jins’ first of the season. They ended their run with a 3-1 win-loss record, while NUNS swept the tournament (4-0) and claimed their second straight title
Before the back-to-back titles of NUNS, UST reigned in the boys’ kyorugi tournament from Seasons 80 to 85.
“Normally naman kasi laging dikitan ‘pag ‘yong NU ‘yong kalaban,” UST head coach Al de la Cruz told the Varsitarian. “Need patibayin ‘yong utak no’ng mga players namin. Matabang lalo na ‘pag dikitan ‘yong laban.”
UST went down by two after NUNS’s Michael Cabaluna and Ethan Chavez dismantled Junior Tiger Jins Kelvin Asumbrado (5-2, 2-8, 6-3) and Julio Zapata (5-4, 3-0, 14-1), respectively.
Then, the Junior Tiger Jins averted a sweep courtesy of Jean Durana’s 5-2, 11-5 victory over NUNS’s Ocean Dinoro.
However, the Bullpups shut down UST’s chances for a comeback, securing two straight wins after John Pascual and John Baudo made quick work of Junior Tiger Jins Khaddryck Costina (2-2, 7-2) and Giancarlo Fernandez (5-2, 6-0), respectively.
“Halos ‘yon pa rin ‘yong mga maglalaro next year. Magte-training na kami mabuti para makuha na ulit ‘yong championship,” De la Cruz said.
Durana and Fernandez took home gold medals, while Costina won silver and Zapata settled for bronze.
UST still remains the winningest team in UAAP boys’ kyorugi with 14 titles. with reports from Rev E. de la Cruz
