History was made on the final day of the UAAP Season 88 High School Taekwondo Championships as Far Eastern University–Diliman finally clinched its first-ever title in the boys’ division on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
After several seasons of near-misses and what-ifs, the Baby Tamaraws broke through at last, securing the long-awaited championship in taekwondo to go along with their titles in 19U Boys’ Basketball, Boys’ Football, and Boys’ Blitz Chess.
“Very happy; hindi ko ma-explain ‘yung feeling ko kasi nag-prepare talaga kami for this competition. Talagang ‘yung sacrifices ng mga bata, ng mga coaches, talagang very, very worth it,” said head coach Paul Romero, reflecting on the breakthrough.
The decisive moment came from Kleon Baquial in the over-70 kg final against University of Santo Tomas’ Jin Raphael Gaupo.
The graduating Baquial had to rally after dropping the opening round, but he shifted gears in dominant fashion to complete the comeback, 2–1 (3–4, 9–1, 10–1), sealing the historic crown for FEU-D after both teams were tied at two golds apiece heading into the final match.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST drew first blood in the morning session after a 1–2 finish in the under-70 kg category, with Khadryck Costina edging out sparring partner Von Ryan Romantico in three rounds, 6–3, 0–5, 7–2.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
FEU-D, however, responded strongly with back-to-back golds in the under-48 kg and under-55 kg divisions through Josh Pinatacan and Jayar Cruza, respectively, to swing the momentum.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Pinatacan needed just two rounds to dispatch Ateneo’s Jonathan Chupungco, 10–6, 14–2, while Cruza held off NUNS’ Ethan Chavez in a tight contest, 4–1, 3–2.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UST answered back when Akira Malonzo outlasted NUNS’ Chuck Alariao in a thrilling three-round battle, 11–10, 11–14, 13–12, setting up the all-or-nothing clash between Baquial and Gaupo.
Baquial, Pinatacan, and Cruza had already known their medal scenarios since the preliminaries last Tuesday, and used the past days to prepare for their respective gold medal bouts.
“Actually, I explained the scenario to them; ‘yung scenario na kung anong mangyayari sa ‘min. Pero ang sabi ko rin, ‘No pressure. Just do your game, and just do your best.” This is their last. Lagi ko lang silang ni-reremind na, ng coaches, na this is their last; lahat ng sacrifices nila, ibuhos na nila dito. Pero ambait talaga ni Lord, prinepare talaga sila para dito,” Romero shared.
FEU-D also added three bronze medals from Tuesday’s action to finish with a 3–0–3 tally, enough to secure the overall boys’ championship ahead of UST’s 2–2–1 record.
Defending champions National University–Nazareth School Bullpups, who collected two silvers on the final day, placed third overall with a 0–2–3 finish.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the girls’ side, the Lady Bullpups swept all their finals assignments, capturing four gold medals to dominate the inaugural High School Girls’ competition.
Rian Akela Ramos clinched one of those titles after a commanding second-round performance against UST’s Rhiyanne Cadileña, 2–0 (2–2, 14–2), in the under-49 kg category.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Chriselle Galve took the first gold for the UST Junior Lady Jins with a 2–0 win over Ateneo’s Jamyllah Pumaren, 19–9, 15–9, in the under-52 kg final.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
However, NUNS took control of the remaining bouts.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Keira Gonzales secured the second gold for the Lady Bullpups with a 2–0 (10–4, 9–4) victory over Mitch Enriquez in the under-44 kg division, while Alyssa Marie Garces set Ramos’s heroics with a similar sweep of Ryzza Cadileña 17–4, 15–10 in the under-46 kg.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Irish Bea Dela Cruz then capped the dominant showing with a 2–1 (2–2, 12–0, 10–2) win over Aretha Pualengco in the over-52 kg division.
