CAPAS, TARLAC — Far Eastern University made a strong push over the past three days to ultimately dominate the competition and claim its league-best 26th UAAP Collegiate Women’s Athletics championship on Sunday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here.
Just like their journey toward redemption last season, the Lady Tamaraws focused on regaining momentum and, as a result, captured the crown in this tournament, backed by CF Moto and Masiv Sports, despite trailing the University of Santo Tomas after Day 1.
FEU not only recovered from its slow start but went on to dominate the field with a massive 373.5 points, securing a record-setting title and the university’s first championship of Season 88.
“You know that FEU has a legacy, di ba? And pressure rin on my part kasi isa ko sa mga coaches na may longest championship streak dito sa women’s category,” said long-time head coach Ross Hamero, reflecting on the team’s mindset after regaining the crown last year.
“Sabi ko sa sarili ko na, next season na much better pa; not only with the points, but also ‘yung mga special awards na pwede naming makuha.”
True to Coach Hamero’s goals, the Lady Tamaraws not only dominated the overall standings but also secured both the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards.
Edna Magtubo — the second-year standout from Mandurriao National High School in Iloilo City — had won two golds in the previous two days in record-breaking fashion in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters. She claimed silver in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Sunday afternoon with a time of 11:14.39, emerging as this season’s MVP.
Jessa Roda of National University took the gold in the event with 10:52.56, just ahead of Magtubo, while Nicole Diloy supported her top-athlete teammate by taking bronze (11:27.88).
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Nagtodo po ako ng training ko kasi ang alam ko po ‘yung mga nakalaban ko last year, wala na po sila. Nagbawi ako sa mga events ko and kumuha po ako ngayon ng golds,” said the 22-year-old standout on claiming the meet’s highest individual honor.
“Hindi lang po sa‘kin nanggaling, nagsabi rin po ‘yung mga coaches ko na kaya mo ‘yan. Mag-training ka lang and mag-aral ka lang nang maayos; pumasok ka sa school para makalaro ka this season,” she added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Adding to FEU’s championship milestone was the double-gold performance of rookie Jecel Vivas in the two hurdle races. Usually held on separate days, the 18-year-old from Tanauan, Batangas, first captured the 400-meter hurdles in 1:01.19 before taking the 100-meter hurdles in 14.39 seconds.
Fellow Lady Tamaraw Marilou Caduyac (1:03.67) and De La Salle University’s Hannah Delotavo (1:04.28) finished second and third, respectively, in the longer event, while UST’s Lyka Miravalles (14.66) and DLSU’s Abcd Agamanos (14.68) completed the podium in the shorter race.
Vivas was consequently named Rookie of the Year, completing FEU’s sweep of the season’s accolades.
Rica Mae Balderama added another gold for the back-to-back champions in the long jump with 5.86 meters, ahead of Adamson University’s Diana Hurano (5.65 meters) and Agamanos (5.56 meters).
UST Lady Tracksters remained in second place with 242 points, while the DLSU Lady Green Tracksters rounded out the top three with 217.5 points.
Erica Ruto, Hannah Delotavo, Ashley Tabad, and Lea Ordinario closed the championships with a gold for DLSU in the 4×400-meter relay, clocking 3:53.09 to edge out FEU (3:53.23) and UE (3:59.83).
Still, the spotlight belonged to the queens from Morayta.
As the birthplace of some of the Philippines’ greatest women athletes, FEU inspired Coach Hamero to maintain consistency at the helm.
“Sabi ko talaga na kapag ako nag-coach, itutuloy ko ‘yung legacy, because sila Elma Muros, Edna Punelas, and, lalo na, our Sprint Queen, Lydia De Vega, is from FEU, kaya angtaas na kaagad ng standard at legacy na iniwan nila. So, it was pressure at the same time, na I have to maintain that legacy,” said Hamero, a former champion Lady Tamaraw herself.
