University of the East put up a strong front in its title defense in the women’s division with 22 points, nine ahead of second-running University of the East in the first day of the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Judo Championships Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
Seniors Leah Jhane Lopez and Joemari-Heart Rafael provided the two golds in the featherweight (under-44 kg.) and in the extra-lightweight (under-48 kg.) that boosted the reigning queens’ campaign.
Lopez took down UST’s Mary Joy Baldos in the final to take the gold, while Season 81 Girls’ Most Valuable Player Rafael outlasted Ateneo rookie Yzabelle Claravall in the gold medal contest.
UE’s Princess Lintac and UST’s Vlessie Hisula bagged the bronzes in the featherweight class, while UP’s Jhanen Mae Marcos and UST’s Danica Barela took those from the extra-lightweight division.
Princes Cortez took one gold for UST in the lightweight (under-57 kg.) to keep the Tiger Judokas in second with 13 points. Cortez denied UE’s Mylene Matias in the gold medal match, while Ateneo’s Rosanna Nolido and UE’s Krystanna Resente bagged the bronze medals.
Ayessa Baloy paced the Fighting Maroons with the gold in the half-lightweight (under-52 kg.), putting the squad in third place with eight points. Baloy pulled off the stunner over UE’s Jewel Rafael in the final with a waza-ari doing enough for the win. Meanwhile, Faiza Asilum of UST and Roni Lapuz of Ateneo completed the winner’s circle.
