By: Nicole Parallag
CAPAS, TARLAC — University of Santo Tomas successfully defended its crown in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Athletics Championships via a wide margin, Sunday at the New Clark City Stadium here.
UST tallied a total of 388.5 points to secure its sixth championship in Boys High School Athletics, while Adamson University claimed the silver medal with 311 points. National University–Nazareth School finished third this season with 305 points.
Leading the Junior Tiger Tracksters was Ivan Cabanda, who delivered a record-breaking performance in the 400-meter hurdles. He clocked 52.99 seconds to surpass the long-standing record of 54.78 seconds set by Jaime Mejia of University of the Philippines Integrated School on February 2, 2018, in Pasig.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Cabanda’s remarkable run earned him the gold medal, followed by Julius Valdenaro of NUNS, who took silver with 55.03 seconds. Jericho Cantil of University of the East claimed bronze with 55.35 seconds.
The UST standout continued his dominance by anchoring the team in the 4×400-meter relay, securing his fourth gold medal of the tournament. Alongside teammates Novie Masangcap, Jydan Lumantas, and Michael Sunico, the Junior Golden Tracksters stormed to victory with a record-breaking time of 3:20.24.
The squad shattered the previous mark of 3:22.09, set during Season 86 by the Adamson quartet of Hussein Lorana, Emmanuel Morales, Matthew Angeles, and Janzen Dela Cruz on November 26, 2023.
NUNS finished second with 3:24.10, while Adamson rounded out the podium in third place at 3:24.93.
“Kakaiba ‘tong batch na mga student-athletes na dumating sa’min. Maganda ung samahan nila tapos meron silang initiative,” shared co-head coach Emerson Obiena.
“Internally, they are really motivated. Compared sa dati, I think mga naunang batch na sinundan nila nag ru-rub in sa kanila yung winning mentality.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Even with Cabanda’s remarkable four-gold campaign, it was NUNS’ Jerico Cadag who ultimately captured the Most Valuable Player honors. He finished the meet with two golds, one silver, and one bronze in this tournament presented by CF Moto and Masiv Sports.
“Super saya po kase lahat po ng pagod ko sa training nagbunga lahat. Yung training ko po sa umaga, yung pag-iyak ko kay Coach (Fernando) Dagasdas sobrang nagbunga,” he tearfully shared.
“Sobrang hirap po ng training umaga at hapon pero lahat po yun, worth it.”
Cadag delivered a remarkable run in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, breaking James Orduna’s six-year-old record of 9:45.08, set on February 11, 2018, in Pasig. The graduating Humanities and Social Science student clocked an impressive 9:38.03 to claim the gold, while fellow Bullpup Ken Enano took bronze in 10:08.12.
Adamson’s Rosalito Tolentino secured silver with 10:06.93.
Quinlob etched his name in the record books by shattering Gary Santiago’s 13-year-old mark of 13.64 meters, set on February 10, 2012. He unleashed a massive throw of 14.47 meters to capture the gold.
NUNS’ Cyrus Tamate earned silver with 13.77 meters, while Adamson’s John De Guzman completed the podium with 12.49 meters for bronze.
In the 110-meter hurdles, Adamson University’s John Alex Yu reigned supreme, crossing the line in 14.93 seconds to seize gold. NUNS’ Julius Valdenaro followed closely for silver at 14.96 seconds, while UST’s Dexter Angayangay finished third with 15.09 seconds.
