Defending champions University of Santo Tomas and University of the East leaned on national team upstarts to establish contrasting leads in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Judo Championships on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
Coming off their golden exploits in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Chino Sy and Joemari-Heart Rafael made sure to remain the standard in their respective weight divisions as they entered their fourth collegiate seasons.
The Tiger Judokas lorded it over the opening day with a comfortable 27-point output, powered by two 1–2 finishes in the under-90 and under-100 kg weight classes.
Sy, in particular, stole the spotlight with a fourth straight UAAP title in the under-100 kg division. He dismantled teammate and rookie Jeordan Caguicla with a two-handed throw just eight seconds into the contest.
“Yes, syempre this UAAP season is very special to me kasi ito na rin yung last playing year ko. So, ito talaga gusto kong ending for my collegiate career,” said the UAAP Season 85 men’s MVP.
“Sobrang proud ako and thankful ako sa UST sa pagbibigay sa‘kin ng chance na makalaro at makasali dito sa UAAP. And syempre para sa personal achievement ko naman, sobrang saya ko kase natapos ko yung career na naka-gold ako, and with a good performance,” said Sy, who is also a SEA Games champion in sambo.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Kyan Louis Ballecer retained his own gold in the under-90 kg, defeating Dwyne Peregrino via ippon through kosoto makikomi just 1:15 into the bout, after an early yuko just seconds into the match.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
De La Salle University sits in second place with 10 points, led by George Baclagan’s successful defense of his over-100 kg title against UST’s Tristan Jacob Reyes.
The third-year standout completed his three-peat with a strong ouchi-gari over Reyes, sealing the win just under two minutes into the final.
Three Green Judokas also secured bronze medals to support Baclagan, with Jerson Laguesma earning one in the under-90 kg, while Quintin Berdera and Sian Guevarra shared podium finishes in the under-100 kg.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo reclaimed the under-81 kg title after three seasons of Jayvee Ferrer’s dominance. Aldwyn Ceyen Thor pinned UST’s John Aniciete with kesa gatame, with 2:42 remaining on the clock.
A bronze from fellow Blue Eagle Kian Matienzo in the same weight class and another from Stefan Fabre in the under-90 kg division brought Ateneo’s total to nine points after Day 1.
University of the Philippines collected two bronze medals courtesy of Carl Almeyda in the under-81 kg and Miguel Javier in the over-100 kg categories.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the women’s side, Rafael captured her fourth straight gold, successfully defending her under-57 kg title in style with an arm lock to finish Ateneo’s Robynne Gonzales in 1:27.
The victory kept the Lady Warriors slightly ahead of second-running UST Lady Judokas (12 points), while La Salle (9) and UP (8) remain within striking distance in a tight team race.
“Yes, nag-stay pa po ako ulit, then gusto ko rin po mag-give back dahil po sa UE nakapagtapos po ako ng pag-aaral, at dito din po ako nagpalakas. Kaya gusto ko rin mag-give back, kaya nag-stay ako,” said the UAAP Season 85 women’s Rookie-MVP.
“Personally, feeling ko po — syempre, una, masaya and grateful po ako na nakuha yung gold and di ko po ’to makukuha kung di dahil sa guide ni God. Pero ito kasi, inalay ko na sa UE itong taon kasi baka last game ko po ’to ngayon. And syempre ginawa ko motivation lahat po ng hirap na pinagdaanan ko,” said Rafael, a Master’s in Public Administration major.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Christine Quiniones claimed the gold in the under-44 kg category to keep UST in step with the reigning four-time champions. The third-year standout forced a third shido on UE’s Denniece Tan to finally end the contest after more than nine minutes.
La Salle’s Hannah Mira and UE’s Mikaela Palima completed the podium in that weight class.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Lady Green Judokas saw Tala Danielle Tadeo push them to third in the standings with nine points, as the third-year standout delivered gold in the under-48 kg division.
Tadeo denied UE’s Sweet Trillo the title after the Lady Warrior was penalized with a third shido three minutes into golden score.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Annika Caminero upgraded her Season 87 silver in the under-52 kg class into gold to put the Fighting Maroons just a single point behind the Lady Green Judokas.
Caminero, a Southeast Asia Judo Championships gold medalist, needed only a waza-ari via tai otoshi, just 35 seconds into the match, against UST’s Zoey Itliong. Maxine Bautista added a bronze in the under-57 kg to give UP a total of eight points.
