Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
{"source_sid":"B8AB5FC8-95CF-465C-BCF8-408AA486148C_1583065431426","subsource":"done_button","uid":"B8AB5FC8-95CF-465C-BCF8-408AA486148C_1583065431421","source":"editor","origin":"gallery"}

ADMU

Rookie Ligero, senior Lorenzo lift UST to UAAP Judo four-peat


University of Santo Tomas leaned on both a rookie and a seasoned senior to turn it around and edge out University of the Philippines, claiming its fourth straight UAAP Men’s Judo title, Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Golden Judokas garnered 18 points off two golds, a silver, and a bronze in the day’s events to slip past Day 1 leaders Fighting Maroons, for a 34-32 final count.

UAAP-82-Mens-Judo-Minus-55-FW-Final-UST-v-ADMU-Ligero-2 Rookie Ligero, senior Lorenzo lift UST to UAAP Judo four-peat ADMU Judo News UAAP UP UST  - philippine sports news

League debutant Gabriel Ligero’s run set the tone for the day, stopping heavy favorite David Gordon of De La Salle University in the quarterfinals of the featherweight class. He eventually topped rookie Miguel Gonzalvo in the finals to claim an important gold for UST.

Ligero and his teammates went into the mats with no pressure despite the deficit going into the day. “Lagi lang sinasabi lang sa ‘min ni coach to play our best. Kung mananalo hanggang gold, eh ‘di better. ‘Yun lang naman din.

“Pinupush pa rin naman kami ni coach na mag-champion. May mga natatalo, pero hindi namin sila hinahayaang matapos sa isang game. Pinapabawi namin sila sa mga next,” he continued.

UAAP-82-Mens-Judo-Minus-73-MW-Final-ADMU-v-ADMU-Uy Rookie Ligero, senior Lorenzo lift UST to UAAP Judo four-peat ADMU Judo News UAAP UP UST  - philippine sports news

Senior Eric Uy and sophomore Rafael De Leon finished 1-2 in the lightweight class to lead Ateneo de Manila University’s charge during the second day. They were in title contention but eventually finished in third place with 23 points.

UP needed to take both the golds in the extra-lightweight and half-lightweight class in order to end a 12-year drought, but only Edward Figueroa emerged with a title.

UAAP-82-Mens-Judo-Minus-66-HLW-Final-UP-v-UST-Benavides-Figueroa Rookie Ligero, senior Lorenzo lift UST to UAAP Judo four-peat ADMU Judo News UAAP UP UST  - philippine sports news

The graduating Fighting Maroon took care of a Ryan Benavides, who went into the final tired after a marathon semifinal against UP’s Hyesung Lee, to bag the -66 kg gold.

#ReadMore  Rolando Dy takes on Kyrgyz foe in BRAVE CF title eliminator

UAAP-82-Mens-Judo-Minus-60-ELW-Final-UST-v-UP-Lorenzo-3 Rookie Ligero, senior Lorenzo lift UST to UAAP Judo four-peat ADMU Judo News UAAP UP UST  - philippine sports news

Russel Lorenzo then needed to fend off UP sophomore Paolo Cruz in the -60 kg final in the golden score round to seal UST’s fourth straight crown.

UAAP-82-MEN’S-JUDO-AWARDING-ROY-MVP-Ferrer-Ligero Rookie Ligero, senior Lorenzo lift UST to UAAP Judo four-peat ADMU Judo News UAAP UP UST  - philippine sports news

Ligero, with his heroics and dominant showing, claimed the Most Valuable Player award. Meanwhile, middleweight gold medalist and Fighting Maroon Jayvee Ferrer bagged the Rookie of the Year title.

“Sa ‘kin, gusto ko lang mag-champion, paulit-ulit. ‘Yun lang naman ‘yung nasa isip ko. Masaya kasi first time ko, tapos champion ulit kami. Bonus na lang ‘tong kung ano man ‘tong mga nakuha ko,” the season MVP declared.

Written By


You May Also Like

ADMU

A STACKED lineup can surely make such a team a champion, but for University of the Philippines, everything was earned on the mats. The...

ADMU

ZARCHIE Garay’s journey to a redemption gold proved to be the difference as University of the Philippines held on to a slim 19-16 lead...

ADMU

University of Santo Tomas captured its fifth straight men’s championship after a strong finish in the UAAP Season 85 Collegiate Judo Championships Sunday at...

ADMU

Five-peat seeking University of Santo Tomas held strong to the lead in the men’s division after the first day of the UAAP Season 85...

Judo

Two-time UAAP Men’s Judo Most Valuable Player Dither Tablan (June 11, 1998-October 29, 2021) passed away Friday evening due to cardiac arrest. He was...

ADMU

The 82nd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines may have not received a proper send-off due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19)...

Baseball

Besides giving a home to volleyball players, the Premiere Volleyball League and the Spikers’ Turf are turning pro because in five years’ time, University...

3x3 Basketball

CALAMBA, LAGUNA — James Laput is not soft. From his match-ups with Ange Kouame and Bright Akhuetie in the UAAP, to his clashes with...

Advertisement