UST regains UAAP poomsae title in convincing fashion

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The crown is back in España.

The former two-time champions University of Santo Tomas reclaimed the UAAP poomsae championship after besting five other schools with three golds and one silver medal, Wednesday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Last year’s winners University of the Philippines finished second with one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals, while De La Salle University placed third after coming up a bronze medal short of UP. Far Eastern University bagged two silvers to remain in fourth.

DLSU started the day on a high note when Rinna Babanto successfully defended her individual female crown with an 8.320 mark in the finals. Juvenile Crisostomo registered the silver for FEU at 8.235, while UP rookie Patricia Jubelag finished third at 7.935. Babanto and Crisostomo earlier topped the preliminaries with identical 8.135 scores, but the La Sallian raised the bar in the medal rounds to pull through against her opponent.

In the individual male category, UP veteran Dustin Mella showed his fine form and technical skills to claim the gold with a whopping 8.435 mark. His national team colleague, Junior Reyes from UST, placed a distant second at 8.280, while DLSU’s McAvyngyr Alob took the bronze at 8.220. The Maroon tallied an 8.40 as well in the preliminaries to end up with 8.370.

From there, UST took control and blazed their way into the crown. Veterans Marvin Gabriel and Jo Ninobla reclaimed their mixed pair gold after fending off a strong challenge from DLSU and scoring 8.365. National team members Enrico Mella and Babanto finished at a close second for the Green Jins with 8.330 to get the silver, while UP’s Nikki Oliva and Jayboy Buenavista snared the bronze at 7.970.

Ninobla then teamed up with Raica Libiran and Jhoanna Razon to top the female team category with 8.165 for the Tigresses. FEU snared their second silver courtesy of Nicole Land, Winlou Dela Cerna, and Charisse Gasmin at 8.015. The trio of Oliva, Jubelag, and Chanisse Dabalus took the bronze with 7.885. UST earlier finished first after the qualifiers with 8.105 with FEU following them closely at 8.050.

With title number 3 virtually in the bag, Gabriel, along with Adrian Ang and Jerel Dalida, sealed the deal for the Tiger Jins with an 8.270 finish in the finals. The Maroon triumvirate of Dustin Mella, Lyan Llanto, and Roman Sta. Romana snuck past DLSU for second at 8.235. La Salle’s Enrico Mella, Alob, and Alfritz Arevalo settled for the bronze with 8.180. It was actually DLSU who topped the preliminaries with 8.280, but UST and UP turned it around in the finals.

UST Head Coach Rani Ortega attributes her team’s win to their hunger. She remarked, “I saw their hunger to get back the crown. They worked hard in training and they won it.” The national mainstay was happy with the results of the competition in general. Ortega was delighted that the results show that “[Filipino] poomsae is world-class.”

In the next pages, watch the performances of the jins as shot by Tiebreaker Times’ Mike Miguel

NEXT PAGE: Individual Male Competition >>

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First up is the Individual Male Category.

During the preliminary round, the jins performed the following forms:

Taegeuk 7 or Taegeuk Chil Jang

The trigram represented in this form is mountain. A mountain exemplifies indomitability and majesty but still carrying a serene imagery. The jin’s performance must exemplify beauty, hardness and serenity, just like a beautiful mountain.

Koryo

Koryo, or Goryeo, is the name of an old Korean dynasty that defeated the Mongolian invaders. The Goryeo spirit of strength and coordination must be represented by the jins in their performance.

Here are the jins who performed and the scores they tallied for the round: (by order of performance)

FOR VIDEOS OF THE PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES GO TO Tiebreaker Times’ Youtube Link

Dustin Mella from UP, Rodolfo Reyes from UST, and McAvyngyr Alob from DLSU advanced to the finals and were asked to perform the following forms:

Pyongwon

Pyongwon is loosely defined as a stretch and vast plain. The form is based on the idea of peace and struggle stemming out from the principles of origin and use. The jins are required to concentrate their force in the lower abdomen, the source of human strength, as symbolized by the plain.

Dustin Mella’s Pyongwon performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiLadDP0kEU
SCORE: 8.43

Rodolfo Reyes’ Pyongwon performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkIzYCiFkJI
SCORE: 8.43

McAvyngyr Alob’s Pyongwon performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koXPjrhTNps
SCORE: 8.20

Keumgang

Keumgang is defined as a diamond. In addition, the mountain Keumgang, is the symbol of Korean national spirit. A Keumgang warrior is the mightiest of warriors as said by Buddha. The jin performing the keumgang must represent the hardness and beauty of a diamond and, as well as, the balance as represented by the keumgang warrior.

Dustin Mella’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW1e2giPxIA
SCORE: 8.44

Rodolfo Reyes’ Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44RzgnSYZrc
SCORE: 8.13

McAvyngyr Alob’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnV2W_eBql4
SCORE: 8.24

With an average of 8.435, Dustin Mella took home the first gold medal for the UP Fighting Maroons. Placing second was Rodolfo Reyes Jr. of UST with an average of 8.28 while McAvyngyr Alob took home bronze with a score of 8.22.

NEXT PAGE: Individual Female Competition >>

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Next up is the Individual Female Category.

During the preliminary round, the jins performed the following forms:

Taegeuk 7 or Taeguek Chil Jang

The trigram represented in this form is mountain. A mountain exemplifies indomitability and majesty but still carrying a serene imagery. The jin’s performance must exemplify beauty, hardness and serenity, just like a beautiful mountain.

Taegeuk 6 or Taegeuk Yuk Jang

The trigram represented in this form is water. Characteristics of water are incessant flow and softness. Thus, jins must display the flowing, powerful and cleansing characteristics of water.

Here are the jins who performed and the scores they tallied for the round: (by order of performance)

FOR VIDEOS OF THE PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES GO TO Tiebreaker Times’ Youtube Link

Juvenile Faye Crisostomo from FEU, Rinna Babanto from DLSU, and Patricia Jubelag from UP advanced to the finals and were asked to perform the following forms:

Sipjin

In Korean folklore, there are 10 symbols for longevity: sun, moon, mountain, water, stone, pine tree, herb of eternal youth, turtle, deer and crane. All these symbols give man faith, hope and love. Sipjin represents the 10 symbols for longevity. This form represents the endless development and growth of a jin.

Juvenile Crisostomo’s Sipjin performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EozvIgxq5BI
SCORE: 8.27

Rinna Babanto’ Sipjin performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh6Fz-4sarY
SCORE: 8.30

Patricia Jubelag’s Sipjin performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujadJ_TcOBo
SCORE: 7.97

Taebaek

Taeback is defined as lightness. In Korean folklore, it is said that Dangun, the founder of the first Korean Kingdom, established the first Korean nation at Taeback, at the bottom of Korea’s great mountain Baekdoo. The jin’s performance must exemplify determination and hardness resembling the mountain Baekdoo.

Juvenile Crisostomo’s Taebaek performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_FQPLuF108
SCORE: 8.20

Rinna Babanto’ Taebaek performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYwomm0dakM
SCORE: 8.34

Patricia Jubelag’s Taebaek performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AhmqMfT6Yg
SCORE: 7.90

With an average of 8.32, Rinna Babanto took home the first gold medal for the La Salle Green Jins. Juvenile Crisostomo fell to second with with a norm of 8.235 while Patricia Jubelag of UP took home bronze with a score of 7.935.

NEXT PAGE: Mixed Pair Competition >>

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The coed part of the competition is the mixed pair event.

During the preliminary round, the jins performed the following forms:

Koryo

Koryo, or Goryeo, is the name of an old Korean dynasty that defeated the Mongolian invaders. The Goryeo spirit of strength and coordination must be represented by the jins in their performance.

Taegeuk 8 or Taegeuk Pal Jang

The trigram represented in this form is earth. Moreover, it represents the yin in yin-yang. This is the last of the 8 taegeuk poomsaes. With all these in mind, it represents the beginning and the end, the root and the settlement. The jin must put emphasis on the accuracy of stepping and the difference between the jumping-over kick and the alternate jumping kick in the air.

Here are the jins who performed and the scores they tallied for the round: (by order of performance)

FOR VIDEOS OF THE PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES GO TO Tiebreaker Times’ Youtube Link

The top three pairs of Gabriel and Ninobla of UST, Mella and Babanto of La Salle, and Buenavista and Oliva of UP advanced to the finals and were asked to perform the following forms:

Pyongwon

Pyongwon is loosely defined as a stretch and vast plain. The form is based on the idea of peace and struggle stemming out from the principles of origin and use. The jins are required to concentrate their force in the lower abdomen, the source of human strength, as symbolized by the plain.

Vidal Gabriel and Jocelyn Ninobla’s Pyongwon performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1MsM2GLgy0
SCORE: 8.40

Raphael Mella and Rinna Babanto’s Pyongwon performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O394yCPPLGU
SCORE: 8.30

Jayboy Buenavista and Janna Oliva’s Pyongwon performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGw5-tnp54M
SCORE: 8.00

Keumgang

Keumgang is defined as a diamond. In addition, the mountain Keumgang, is the symbol of Korean national spirit. A Keumgang warrior is the mightiest of warriors as said by Buddha. The jin performing the keumgang must represent the hardness and beauty of a diamond and, as well as, the balance as represented by the keumgang warrior.

Vidal Gabriel and Jocelyn Ninobla’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvgrmnm4erE
SCORE: 8.33

Raphael Mella and Rinna Babanto’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOQn3UxyC3A
SCORE: 8.36

Jayboy Buenavista and Janna Oliva’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZIQ8uxpKsA
SCORE: 7.94

GOLD – Vidal Marvin Gabriel and Jocelyn Ninobla (UST) 8.365
SILVER – Raphael Mella and Rinna Babanto (DLSU) 8.33
BRONZE – Jayboy Buenavista and Janna Oliva (UP) 7.97

NEXT PAGE: Group Male Competition >>

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The group events started with the men’s trios. FEU did not field a team for this event.

During the preliminary round, the jins performed the following forms:

Taegeuk 7 or Taeguek Chil Jang

The trigram represented in this form is mountain. A mountain exemplifies indomitability and majesty but still carrying a serene imagery. The jin’s performance must exemplify beauty, hardness and serenity, just like a beautiful mountain.

Taegeuk 6 or Taegeuk Yuk Jang

The trigram represented in this form is water. Characteristics of water are incessant flow and softness. Thus, jins must display the flowing, powerful and cleansing characteristics of water.

Here are the jins who performed and the scores they tallied for the round: (by order of performance)

FOR VIDEOS OF THE PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES GO TO Tiebreaker Times’ Youtube Link

The top three trios from La Salle, UST, and UP advanced to the finals and were asked to perform the following forms:

Pyongwon

Pyongwon is loosely defined as a stretch and vast plain. The form is based on the idea of peace and struggle stemming out from the principles of origin and use. The jins are required to concentrate their force in the lower abdomen, the source of human strength, as symbolized by the plain.

Mella, Alob, and Arevalo’s Pyongwon performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY55jou00oM
SCORE: 8.06

Gabriel, Ang, and Dalida’s Pyongwon performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW8E5G7DDNY
SCORE: 8.30

Mella, Llanto, and Sta. Romana’s Pyongwon performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QerJJ7eg4EQ
SCORE: 8.17

Keumgang

Keumgang is defined as a diamond. In addition, the mountain Keumgang, is the symbol of Korean national spirit. A Keumgang warrior is the mightiest of warriors as said by Buddha. The jin performing the keumgang must represent the hardness and beauty of a diamond and, as well as, the balance as represented by the keumgang warrior.

Mella, Alob, and Arevalo’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiwxPHyF0sU
SCORE: 8.30

Gabriel, Ang, and Dalida’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fouVHkAygaY
SCORE: 8.24

Mella, Llanto, and Sta. Romana’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c2czgJJ2HQ
SCORE: 8.30

GOLD – Vidal Gabriel, Adrian Ang, Jerel Dalida (UST) 8.27
SILVER – Dustin Mella, Lyan Llanto, Roman Sta. Romana (UP) 8.235
BRONZE – Raphael Mella, McAvyngyr Alob, Alfritz Arevalo (DLSU) 8.18

NEXT PAGE: Group Female Competition >>
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The tournament ended with the Team Female competition.

During the preliminary round, the jins performed the following forms:

Taegeuk 8 or Taegeuk Pal Jang

The trigram represented in this form is earth. Moreover, it represents the yin in yin-yang. This is the last of the 8 taegeuk poomsaes. With all these in mind, it represents the beginning and the end, the root and the settlement. The jin must put emphasis on the accuracy of stepping and the difference between the jumping-over kick and the alternate jumping kick in the air.

Taegeuk 7 or Taeguek Chil Jang

The trigram represented in this form is mountain. A mountain exemplifies indomitability and majesty but still carrying a serene imagery. The jin’s performance must exemplify beauty, hardness and serenity, just like a beautiful mountain.

Here are the jins who performed and the scores they tallied for the round: (by order of performance)

FOR VIDEOS OF THE PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCES GO TO Tiebreaker Times’ Youtube Link

The top three groups from UST, FEU, and UP advanced to the finals and were asked to perform the following forms:

Sipjin

In Korean folklore, there are 10 symbols for longevity: sun, moon, mountain, water, stone, pine tree, herb of eternal youth, turtle, deer and crane. All these symbols give man faith, hope and love. Sipjin represents the 10 symbols for longevity. This form represents the endless development and growth of a jin.

Ninobla, Libiran, and Razon’s Sipjin performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FM0lzWsIXM
SCORE: 8.26

Oliva, Jubelag, and Dabalus’s Sipjin performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naujw03GjCU
SCORE: 8.07

Landrito, Cerna, and Gaspin’s Sipjin performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO2IvJbUzYw
SCORE: 8.17

Keumgang

Keumgang is defined as a diamond. In addition, the mountain Keumgang, is the symbol of Korean national spirit. A Keumgang warrior is the mightiest of warriors as said by Buddha. The jin performing the keumgang must represent the hardness and beauty of a diamond and, as well as, the balance as represented by the keumgang warrior.

Ninobla, Libiran, and Razon’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtfQbEH5V4U
SCORE: 8.07

Oliva, Jubelag, and Dabalus’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOUG9oP1sA0
SCORE: 7.70

Landrito, Cerna, and Gaspin’s Keumgang performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W82vZ-i2U9U
SCORE: 7.86

GOLD – Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Raisa Libiran, Jhonna Razon (UST) 8.165
SILVER – Leanarda Landrito, Winlou Dela Cerna, Charisse Gasmin (FEU) 8.015
BRONZE – Janna Oliva, Patricia Jubelag, Chanisse Dabalus (UP) 7.885
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