University of the East asserted its dominance with a fourth consecutive title in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Judo Tournament, concluding with a stellar performance on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Graduating Lady Warrior Ma. Veneza Dayao spearheaded the team’s heavyweights on the second and final day, building on the foundation laid by MVP Leah Jhane Lopez and the rest of the lightweight division during Day 1.
Despite facing potential challenges from the second-placed University of Santo Tomas, UE maintained its composure and fended off late pushes from the other competing teams.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Dayao, 25, sealed the championship in the minus-70 kg final with a tate-shiho-gatame against her sparring partner Aescie Anne Ramos at the 2:15 mark.
This decisive 1-2 finish extended UE’s lead, further bolstered by Nicole Habierto and Krystanna Resente, who also reached the finals in the minus-78 kg and minus-63 kg categories, respectively.
Gold medalists from Day 1 included Lopez (minus-48 kg), Joemari-Heart Rafael (minus-57 kg), and graduating Mylene Matias (minus-44 kg), while Jhen Rose Mae Obeja contributed a bronze in the minus-57 kg division.
These performances cemented UE’s commanding position heading into the tournament’s conclusion.
“Kahapon po kasi puro rookies ‘yung mga kasama naming lumaro, pero siyempre ngayong second day, (ang naglaro is) most of the seniors na talagang mga kasabayan din po. Thankful po ako sa kanila kasi hindi po sila nag-give up and hindi nila kami iniwan. At ginawa nila ‘yung part nila para makuha namin tong four-peat,” said Lopez, the national team standout.
“Kami po kasi sa UE, it’s not just a team, it’s like a family po. And iba po ‘yung culture na nabuo namin sa UE; andon po talaga ‘yung respect and discipline. And also sa training po, support system po talaga namin ‘yung isa’t isa,” added Lopez, a 24-year-old resident of Pasay City.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The camaraderie and collaborative effort extended to UE’s junior division, where the school achieved its first-ever double victory.
This historic accomplishment marked a triple crown for the Recto-based institution in judo.
UST finished in second place with 19 points, aided by bronze medal performances from Sherilyn Tagra (minus-63 kg), Mariah Lua (minus-70 kg), Margaret Fajardo (minus-78 kg), and Lea Loren Quimba (plus-78 kg).
Faiza Asilum secured UST’s lone gold medal on Day 1 in the minus-52 kg category.
“’Sobrang hirap ng pinagdaanan namin as in one year kaming nag-training straight. And kumbaga ‘yung training namin from last year sinagad pa namin kasi last (season) nga, kinabahan pa kami ‘eh. Ang akala namin masusulot kami pero at least hindi naman. So, ngayong taon, in-upgrade pa namin ‘yung training namin,” said UE head coach Rodimple Rodriguez.
Rodriguez also highlighted the unwavering dedication of his team: “’Yung iba nga sinabihan ko na OK lang hindi na kayo maglaro, marami naman tayong bagong players. Pero siguro ‘yun ‘yung magandang na-instill namin sa kanila — yung love for the team and love for the school. Kumbaga wala naman na silang dapat patunayan eh, pero dahil mahal nila ‘yung UE, bumalik sila para makapag-champion uli.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
De La Salle University climbed to third place with 14 points, anchored by standout performances from Rookie of the Year Hannah Mira (minus-44 kg), who earned a silver, and Marisela Turro (plus-78 kg), who also claimed silver.
Yvonne Aragon secured a pivotal gold in the minus-63 kg final after Resente incurred her third shido.
Tala Danielle Tadeo added a bronze in the minus-48 kg division.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Ateneo de Manila University finished in fourth place with 12 points, highlighted by Maxine Mababangloob’s successful defense of her minus-78 kg title.
Mababangloob clinched victory with a second waza-ari just 25 seconds before the match ended, defeating Habierto in a tightly contested final.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
University of the Philippines finished fifth with 11 points, led by Stephanie Fetalver, who retained her plus-78 kg title by defeating DLSU’s Turro with a decisive harai-goshi 1:03 into their match.
Adamson University rounded out the standings in sixth place, marking a notable return to the judo competition.
