MANILA – University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses claimed their record fifth straight title in the UAAP Season 81 women’s judo competition that ended Sunday at the Enrique Razon Sports Center in De La Salle University.
Bacolod City native Khrizzie Pabulayan was hailed as the women’s judo Most Valuable Player – she was the only player to capture a gold medal for UST in the contest.
Pabulayan claimed her gold medal, her fourth overall in the UAAP, when she defeated fellow Thomasian Rhodesa Mae Bayas in the championship match of the half lightweight category.
Aside from the lone gold, the Golden Tigresses also bagged seven silver medals, which were enough to win their 11th crown overall after tallying 36 points. University of the Philippines had three golds but settled for second place with 25 points.
Meanwhile the UST Growling Tigers became the solo champions in the men’s division this year after sharing the overall title with the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles last year.
With heavyweight Dither Tablan and half lightweight Ryan Benavides leading the five-gold haul, the Growling Tigers collected 45 points to make a three-peat and annex a record 14th crown overall.
The Blue Eagles settled for second place with 18 points after winning two golds, while UP Fighting Maroons also had 18 points but could only muster a third-place finish with just one gold medal.
Other UST gold medalists were Russel Lorenzo (extra lightweight), Mitchell Salcedo (middleweight) and George Kim (half heavyweight)./PN
