University of Santo Tomas capped off its redemption campaign in dominant fashion, clinching a record 15th men’s championship in the UAAP Season 87 judo tournament on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
National team standout Troy Estrella led the Tiger Judokas’ charge, as the lightweight division completed what Chino Sy and the heavyweights had started.
UST claimed its sixth championship of the season, adding to earlier titles in men’s beach volleyball, men’s chess, taekwondo poomsae, and a double win in table tennis.
Estrella delivered a clutch performance, ensuring the Tiger Judokas fended off a spirited comeback from the defending champions, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
He retained UST’s gold medal in the minus-66 kg division by defeating teammate Jandrei Sotto in the final.
The 22-year-old sealed his Most Valuable Player campaign with a decisive tai-otoshi throw, downing Sotto in just seven seconds.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Natutuwa ako for UST na naibalik namin ’tong championship na pinaghirapan naming players. Nanggaling kami sa tough loss from last year, from being straight champions. Ngayon na nakapag-come back kami, we’re very happy po,” said Estrella.
“’Tong MVP na ’to was added na pampasaya lang sa ’kin, pero ang goal ko is makatulong na mapag-champion ’yung team. At ’yun naman ang goal naming lahat – ‘yung mag-champion,” he added.
The competition was fierce, with UST and UP battling neck-and-neck throughout the tournament.
Crucial contributions came from former gold medalist Ralph Jefferson Suarez and Rodhenyel Lopez, whose bronze finishes in the minus-60 kg category kept UST narrowly ahead.
UP showcased its firepower with standout performances from national team judoka Levyn Panganiban and returnee Christian Michael Zuñiga.
Panganiban defended his minus-60 kg title with a 49-second uchi-mata against teammate John Paulo Almeyda, while Zuñiga retained the minus-72 kg crown with an ippon-seoinage over De La Salle University’s Angelo Saria, just 27 seconds before time expired.
Despite UP’s efforts, UST’s depth proved insurmountable.
Two bronze medals in the minus-60 kg division and the 1-2 finish from Estrella and Sotto secured the victory.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Adding to the drama, third-year judoka Janry Pamor defeated defending two-time minus-55 kg champion Hyejun Lee.
Lee was penalized with a third shido for non-combativity, sealing Pamor’s win with 26 seconds left in their match.
UST’s dominance was evident from the first day of competition, as they established a commanding 27-12 lead.
Key performances included 1-2 finishes from Sy and Lorenzo Tolentino in the minus-100 kg division and from Kyan Ballecer and Rookie of the Year Rodge Daniel Ivan Bernal in the minus-90 kg category.
“It was exemplary. Maganda naman ’yung result na nag-champion. Ang totoo, maraming maling nangyari sa kalaban; maraming legality na nangyaring hindi maganda sa UP, pero other than that, maganda ’yung performance namin. ’Yung mga coaches nagawa nila ’yung trabaho nila na matutukan ’yung players at ’yung strength and conditioning maayos,” said long-time head coach Steven Esteban.
“I wasn’t expecting this to happen because UP still has its players from last season, but many of my players stepped up, so ito ’yung result,” he added.
The Fighting Maroons settled for second place with 34 points, bolstered by Season 86 MVP Jayvee Ferrer’s gold in the minus-81 kg division on day one, along with five bronze medals.
DLSU’s George Baclagan secured gold in the plus-100 kg division, helping the Green Judokas clinch third place with 11 points. Saria’s silver in the minus-73 kg and Jason Palmes’ bronze in the minus-55 kg rounded out DLSU’s medal haul.
Ateneo de Manila University finished fourth with four points from four bronzes, while Adamson University completed the order of finish for the season.
