Eagles regain judo title; La Salle wins first women’s crown

By Anthony Divinagracia Posted Nov 4th 2013

Former three-peat champions Ateneo de Manila University reclaimed lost glory Sunday, as the Eagles dominated the mats anew en route to the 76^th UAAP men’s judo title at the Blue Eagle gym.

The Eagles, the 2008-2010 titlists, amassed 47 points highlighted by a 2-3-6 gold-silver-bronze medal output to snatch the crown from reigning champion University of Santo Tomas (UST).

Season 76 MVP Matt Jao led the Eagles’ title drive by ruling the +100 kg. division while teammate AnjoGumila bagged the -90 kg. gold.Ateneo's Ralph Sapiwas named Rookie of the Year.

University of the Philippines (UP) wound up second with 35 points while De La Salle University tallied 32 markers for third place.

LaSalle however made ripples in the women’s side as the Lady Archers won their first judo title since 1996, when the sport became part of the UAAP.

Season 76 MVP Nikki More led the Lady Archers who chalked up 42 points via a 3-2-1 gold-silver-bronze medal haul.

More won the -57 kg. gold, while teammates Justine Pongase and Marjorie Santiago topped the +78 kg. and -63 kg. categories, respectively. 

Ateneo and University of the East tied with 29 points apiece but the Lady Eagles won bridesmaids honors by virtue of a higher quotient.

UST, last season’s men’s and women’s champions, dropped to fourth place in both divisions while parading rookie-laden line-ups. The Tigresses’ newcomer LoreliTolentinobagged the Rookie of the Year awardin the distaff side.

Led by Rookie-MVP Rean Gonzales, the Eaglets also regained the juniors plum, collecting all seven golds at stake to finish with 91 markers and dethrone last season’s champion La Salle Zobel.

Zobel could only manage 19 points for second while UST was third with 15.