UST, UP take UAAP taekwondo titles

University of Santo Tomas Tiger Jins, UAAP Season 77 champions

The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Jins swept their way to their twelfth men's taekwondo title at the UAAP Season 77 taekwondo tournament at the San Juan Arena late Tuesday.

They completed the sweep with a 4-3 victory over the University of the Philippines to win all six games.

Season 77 MVP Paul Romero remarked, "Sobrang saya since last playing year ko na. Kasi pinaghirapan din talaga namin, bawat isa nagsumikap talaga para maibalik sa amin ang championship."

The University of the East finished in second place with a 5-1 record after defeating La Salle, 4-3. The loss sent the Green Jins to a 3-3 record alongside National University, who also lost to Far Eastern University by the same score. However, NU finishes in third place, thanks to the winner-over-the-other rule.

Commenting on the surprise finish of UE and NU, Romero says "Yung NU at UE, nagte-train ng mabuti para makasabay na sila sa mga dating champion. Sa game ngayon, hindi mo masasabi kung sino ang magaling, kung sino talaga ang malakas. It's more kung sino ang mas malakas sa katawan. Nagma-matter na yung flexible ka at yung sumipa sa ulo."

Romero's teammate Aries Capispisan was named as the Rookie of the Year, while the following were named as the gold medalists:

FEU's Ariel Bacud (fin) and Elijah Marcelino (feather)
UST's Rhayzor Catris (fly) and Gian Rubio (bantam)

La Salle's Kiko Sembrano (light)
NU's Arven Alcantara (welter)
UP's Guillano de Dios (middle heavy)
 

The University of the Philippines Lady Jins, UAAP Season 77 champions

In the women's side, the University of the Philippines Lady Jins ended a 12-year drought to snatch its second-ever UAAP title.

UP defeated La Salle, 5-2, to finish atop the standings at 5-1.

Season 77 MVP Charizza Camille Alombro remarked, "Matagal na naming hinihintay na mag-champion ang women's team. Nagtiwala kami na kahit anong nangyari, kaya naming mag-champion at naging united kami."

UST's chances for a double championship in collegiate taekwondo ended with a 4-3 defeat to FEU. The Lady Tiger Jins, who gave UP its lone defeat this season, would end up tied with their opponents and La Salle at 4-2.

Thanks to their superior quotient, the Lady Jins from Taft would finish second and UST would end up third.

La Salle's Camille Bonje was named as the Rookie of the Year and the gold medalist in the lightweight division, while the following were named as the gold medalists:

FEU's Ronnielette Balancio (fin) and Clouie Bolinas (welter)
UST's Korina Paladin (fly) and Jane Narra (middle heavy)
UP's Stephanie Osio (bantam)
NU's Shiryl Badol (feather)

UST maintain edge in UAAP taekwondo

The University of Santo Tomas maintained their hold atop the men's taekwondo standings, defeating La Salle, 4-3, to win their fifth straight match at the San Juan Arena.

Aries Capispisan clinched the win after defeating Gerry del Rosario in the light-heavyweight division for the Tiger Jins, with the other three victories coming from Joaquin Mendoza, Paul Romero and Rhey Catris.

Meanwhile, National University gained solo third place with a 4-3 win over the University of the Philippines, while FEU entered the win column with a 6-1 decision over Ateneo.

In the women's side, defending champions La Salle dominated their University of the East counterparts, 6-1, to forge a three-way tie atop the standings.

This was the case after UST dealt the first loss of UP, 4-3, with Jane Narra clinching the win with a 7-6 result over Cyrmyn Perlas.

Providing the other three wins for the Lady Tiger Jins are Season 76 MVP Nicole Cham, Colleen Heria, and Korina Paladin.

Meanwhile, in the other match, National University won their second match with a 5-2 victory over Ateneo.

UST, UP lead charge in UAAP Season 77 Taekwondo

The first two playdates for UAAP taekwondo at the San Juan Arena sees UST pave the way for the men, while UP leading the way for the women.

The Tiger Jins opened their campaign on Tuesday with a 6-1 thrashing of FEU, followed by a narrow 4-3 win over UE. They followed that up on Thursday with a 5-2 win over NU and a 7-0 trouncing of Ateneo to accomplish a 4-0 record.

Defending champions La Salle and UE are just behind UST at 3-1, with the Green Jins' lone loss coming from last season's cellar dwellers NU, 4-3 on Thursday.

Alfred Joseph Avila, Aljon Ortonio, Dave Cea and Alven Alcantara secured the wins for NU, who had just joined the competition last season. The Bulldogs in solo fourth place with a 2-2 mark, one game ahead of Ateneo and UP. Far Eastern University is at the bottom, remaining winless after four matches so far.

In the women's side, UP still remains undefeated after four matches. The Season 76 runners-up blanked Ateneo, 7-0, and dispatched FEU, 6-1, to open its campaign on Tuesday. They would then nip NU, 4-3, and defeat UE, 5-2, to go 4-0.

Defending champions UST was tripped up by Ateneo on Tuesday, 4-3. Wins from Thea Bermejo, Weedee Valenzuela, Kyla Relucio and Frances Siapno secured the only victory for the Lady Jins of Katipunan so far this season. In contrast, that was the only loss the Female Jins have had this in four outings this season, good enough for a tie for second place alongside La Salle.

FEU is in fourth place with a 2-2 record, one game ahead of Ateneo and NU, while UE is at the cellar with no wins after four games.