By: Nicole Parallag
Adamson University surged to the top of the UAAP Season 88 High School Athletics Girls’ Championships, overtaking the University of Santo Tomas after collecting eight silver medals and one bronze at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here, Saturday.
Despite not winning a single gold for the day, the Baby Falcons’ consistency across multiple events proved decisive.
In the girls’ pole vault of this tournament sponsored by CF Moto and Masiv Sports, Adamson’s Marjorie Ragudos, Andrea Abalos, Ione Vengado, and Ashlea Lee all shared silver after clearing identical marks of 2.00 meters. UST’s Franceine Rosario, the lone Junior Lady Trackster in the event, claimed gold with a height of 2.51 meters, setting the inaugural girls’ pole vault record.
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Ragudos went on to capture another silver in the triple jump, leaping 11.02 meters—just six centimeters short of UST’s Rica Clavel, who won gold with 11.08 meters. University of the East’s Edzel Villasis took bronze at 10.50 meters.
Adamson finished the third day on top with 345 points, leapfrogging UST, which had 335.5 points. UE remained in third with 293 points.
UST Standouts
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The Junior Golden Tracksters continued their dominance in the 1500 meters, as Liana Ascan clocked 5:15.71 to take gold. UE’s Shaira Fantilaga finished second (5:19.18), while Adamson’s Erika Dorado secured bronze (5:22.17).
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Rosario, already a standout performer for UST, further strengthened her MVP bid by clinching her fourth gold of the season in the 400 meters, stopping the clock at 59.03 seconds. Adamson’s Juvelle Matnog followed with 59.64, and UE’s Maria Lambino completed the podium at 1:00.41.
UST capped the day by ruling the 4×100-meter relay, with the quartet of Nichole Santiago, Rosario, Clavel, and Lhynette Libranda combining for a winning time of 48.68 seconds. Adamson placed second (49.85), UE third (50.58), and De La Salle Zobel finally earned their first girls’ division points by finishing fourth (59.69).
UE’s Fightback
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Defending champions Junior Lady Warriors found their highlight of the day in the discus throw, where Daisy Tomaque notched gold with a 30.16-meter effort. Teammate Alyannah Ico captured bronze (27.18 meters), while Adamson’s Norwyne Edrada took silver (28.92 meters).
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In the girls’ 5000-meter run, UE’s Shaira Fantilaga claimed gold with a time of 20:53.27, followed by Baby Falcon Nene Mianagua, who secured silver at 21:14.27. UST’s Shaina Igcas rounded out the podium with 21:23.38.
Record-Breaking Performances in Boys’ Division
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Junior Warrior Anthony Cariaso broke the 1500-meter record with an impressive 4:00.10, eclipsing the previous mark of 4:07.17 set by senior James Orduna in 2018. Earlier in the race, Jerico Cadag of National University-Nazareth School initially broke the record with 4:01.08 but ultimately settled for silver. Fellow Bullpup Ken Enano claimed bronze with 4:08.98.
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In the boys’ high jump, UE’s Romel Cadorna and NUNS’ Razen Andres shared gold, both clearing an impressive 1.95 meters. UST’s Ivan Talplacido rounded out the podium with bronze after registering a 1.90-meter leap.
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NUNS’ Rain Mabellin made a stunning UAAP debut, erasing Saud Abdul’s previous mark in the boys’ 3000-meter walk with a time of 13:36.48. Abdul, who also bettered his own record with 13:45.24, settled for silver, while fellow Bullpup Ken Odato took bronze with 14:18.35.
“Very nervous po sa debut ko sa UAAP since very competitive po yung mga kalaban,” he shared. “Kaya nakamit ko yung record dahil yung heart ko po lagi ay na sa training and always laging nakikinig sa coach namin, dahil natutunan ko po yung discipline.”
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Cadag later earned redemption by capturing gold in the 5000-meter run, breaking another Orduna record set in 2018. He clocked 15:48.44, while teammate Ken Enano secured silver at 16:29.57. UST’s Gian Aiso completed the podium with bronze at 16:37.30.
UST continued to lead the boys’ division with 287.5 points, followed by the Baby Falcons with 226 points and the Bullpups in third with 210 points.
UST Dominates Sprint Events
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It was a podium sweep for the Junior Tiger Tracksters in the boys’ 400 meters, as Ivan Cabanda stormed to gold with 49.05 seconds. Teammate Novie Masangcap followed closely to claim silver at 49.08, while Michael Sunico completed the sweep with bronze at 49.32 seconds.
Sunico, together with Prince Cuyos, Charles Alcantara, and Jydan Lumantas, powered the Junior Tiger Tracksters to a record-breaking victory in the Boys’ 4×100-meter relay, clocking 42.24 seconds. The quartet shattered the previous record of 43.22 seconds set by Adamson University in 2023.
Javelin Throw Gold for Adamson
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John De Guzman added another gold to Adamson’s haul in the boys’ javelin throw with a winning mark of 52.91 meters. Fellow teammate John Philip Villar claimed bronze with 48.95 meters, while UST’s Bobby Babano secured silver with 49.06 meters.
