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 just 23 years old.
According to accounts, Tablan was rushed to the hospital earlier in the day. However, at around 10:15 PM, he expired.
Tablan, a Sports and Wellness Management graduate, is one of the most beloved UST athletes over the last five years.
During his stellar UAAP career, he led the Golden Judokas to four championships. Moreover, he has lorded over the heavyweight division over the last four seasons.
Besides being a judoka, Tablan is also an accomplished Kurash grappler, representing the country in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games; 2019 Southeast Asian Games; and 2019 World Martial Arts Masterships.
In an interview with UST Tiger TV last year, Tablan shared how grateful he was to be a Tiger.
“I may not be playing as a player next season, but I’ll definitely be the biggest supporter next season ‘cause, to be honest, if I could play five more years for UST I would definitely grab it.
“But unfortunately, all my playing years are exhausted, but I feel motivated on helping the team. Definitely, I’ll train with them more,” he said. “I’ll train with them pa rin kahit hindi na ako maglalaro just to support and share my knowledge and skills to my juniors. To the teammates na napagiwanan naming mga seniors. And, yeah, I think that in that way I can help the next champions, the next athletes that will fight for UST.”
