The University of Santo Tomas Lady Tigresses enjoyed another golden year in UAAP Judo. The Lady Tigresses successfully defended their UAAP Judo Title at the St. Benilde Gym in La Salle Green Hills.
It wasn’t only team glory that the Lady Tigresses achieved; a couple of athletes were also given individual honors. Khrizzie Pabulayan (-48kg) and Miam Salvador (-44kg) added the Season 78 Most Valuable Award and Rookie of the Year awards, respectively, to their gold medals.
For Miam Salvador, happiness was her only emotion at the end of Season 78. “Masaya yet unexpected, kasi hindi ko naman inexpect na mag-Rookie of the Year ako. Sobrang nakakaproud na masaya.”
The UAAP Season 78 Judo Tournament was only a two-day event. Regardless of the tournament’s short span, all coaches and athletes meticulously trained to clinch the championships. Salvador shared, “Super pinaghandaan na po talaga. Mahirap pero okay lang. Worth it.”
Even if Salvador had competed in Judo when she was in high school, nervousness crept in before her first bout. “Sobrang kabado, kasi first UAAP ko. Hindi ko alam yung feeling… Nagcompete rin ako sa ibang ordinary tournament, pero iba daw kasi pag UAAP.”
Since this has been her maiden UAAP campaign, Salvador still has four more years left to play for UST. She has vowed to finish her eligibility and stated some personal goals. “Opo, itutuloy ko kasi mas gusto ko na may mas marami akong matututunan. Mas maging maganda yung laro ko.”
With four more playing years left, Salvador sees facets of her game she felt could be improved. “Mas maging alam kung anong kailangang gawin, tsaka kahit matalo, dapat hindi po tayo susuko. Pagkunyari hindi matatapos ang game kapag natalo ka, na meron pang next game na pwede mong ibuhos ang kung ano pang pwede gawin at give your best shot.”
Salvador and the rest of the Lady Tigresses hope to win a third straight UAAP Judo Championship in Season 79. Next season is still quite far away, but Salvador knows what she wants to do as early as now. “Magperform pa nang maganda atsaka makapagbigay din po ng points. Makatulong.”
