CAPAS, TARLAC – University of Santo Tomas opened its campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Athletics Championships in rousing fashion, leading both the men’s and women’s divisions at the end of Day 1, Thursday, at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here.
Azeneth Serat took center stage as she powered the España-based squad to the top of the women’s standings with 80 points in the tournament backed by Masiv Sports and CF Moto.
The 21-year-old Bukidnon native successfully defended her title in the women’s 5,000-meter racewalk, shattering a 16-year-old record previously held by Far Eastern University’s Florida Gonzales.
Serat set a new mark of 26:04.63, eclipsing Gonzales’ 27:27.73, and finishing well ahead of University of the Philippines’ Juliana Talaro (27:44.80) and Julianne Bayola (29:21.33).
“Actually, ang ine-aim ko po eh ‘yung national record. Kaya lang, parang hindi ko po kakayanin; eh sobrang init po. So, ang sabi ko po, ito na lang po munang UAAP record and susubukan ko,” said the third-year Fitness and Sports Management major.
“Happy ako, hindi lang para sa sarili ko kungdi para sa buong team at sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa ‘kin,” Serat added, expressing pride in both her performance and UST’s strong start.
SPRINT, VAULT TIGERS PROPEL UST TO TOP
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Season 85 MVP Lianne Pama delivered UST’s second gold medal after ruling the women’s 100 meters with a blistering 11.82 seconds — the only sub-12 performance in the final.
FEU’s Shane Ponce (12.00) and Annie Mercurio (12.24) settled for silver and bronze, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the men’s side, Hokkett Delos Santos maintained his dominance in the pole vault, claiming another gold with a best leap of 4.50 meters to lead a UST sweep of the podium.
Mejen Sumbongan (4.30) and Sean Harry Narag (4.20) completed the 1-2-3 finish, pushing the Tiger Tracksters to the top of the standings with 63 points, ahead of Ateneo de Manila’s 52 points.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Defending women’s champion FEU remained close behind with 49.95 points, thanks to Susan Ramadan, who finally captured gold in the 800 meters with 2:12.25. The fourth-year senior edged UP rookie Mary Jane Pagayon (2:14.10) and Adamson University’s Ligan Duhaylungsod (2:14.46) in a tight race.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
University of the East stayed within striking distance at third with 49.75 points, highlighted by Mariel Abuan’s golden leap of 1.68 meters in the high jump. UST’s Jeanne Arnibal (1.60) and National University’s Evangeline Caminong (1.55) rounded out the podium.
ATENEO, FEU, ADAMSON MAKE MARKS
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Event host Ateneo de Manila University made waves in the men’s division after a surprising second-place standing, led by Hussein Loraña, who made his much-awaited UAAP debut count.
The Season 86 High School Boys’ MVP broke the 800-meter record in the morning heats with 1:51.76, then sealed the gold in the final with 1:52.71.
FEU’s Gervickson Labora spoiled the Loraña twins’ bid for a 1-2 finish, clocking 1:53.47 to bag silver ahead of Hassan Loraña’s 1:53.89, last season’s Rookie of the Year.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo’s Russel Ricaforte added to their medal haul after dominating the shot put with a massive 14.92-meter throw. Teammate Airex Gabriel took silver (13.53), while UP’s Jake Jacob Saga snatched bronze (13.28) on his final attempt.
Labora’s silver helped FEU climb to third in the men’s standings with 43 points after the opening day.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Adamson University’s Keisha Tolin wrapped up the day’s winners after ruling the women’s hammer throw with a top mark of 42.86 meters. The 23-year-old returnee edged out UE’s young standouts Jazen Araño (42.69) and Emma Bolden (42.25).
