Manila: The University of Santo Tomas (UST) dominated the opening day of the UAAP Season 88 high school judo tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, UST's Zachary Cabrera and Christine Ocampo led their team to victory, achieving 20 points in the boys' division and 31 points in the girls' division. Cabrera delivered a standout performance in the -66kg category, defeating reigning MVP Chezter Rhaine Caminong from the University of the East (UE) in the semifinals and Nash Dabandan from De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) in the finals.
Cabrera expressed his determination, stating, "When I saw Chezter in the draw, I thought that I could beat him at that time. I worked so hard, I have to win for my family. because of the team's sacrifice. So until the finals, that's my mindset. I also thought that I don't want to repeat what happened in my last UAAP." Caminong and Antoine Calaycay from Ateneo secured the bronze medals.
In the -73kg category, UST's Julian Valien De Castro emerged victorious against UE's Amare Vicente. Meanwhile, in the -55kg category, UE's Aisaac Alcantara triumphed over UST's Cricien Gloria, and Ateneo's Miguel Dalit defeated UE's Deon Ezekiel Ordo±o, the previous season's Rookie of the Year, in the -60kg finals. UE finished in second place with 14 points, followed by Ateneo with 10 points and DLSZ with 4 points.
In the girls' division, Christine Ocampo clinched victory over UE's Sollen Aphrodite Trillo in the -63kg finals. Ocampo attributed her success to her faith and support system, saying, "Maybe my mindset is, of course, Lord first because honestly, with all the trials I've experienced, a lot has happened to me. Seriously, if it weren't for God, I wouldn't be here today. And of course, to my family, friends, and teammates who always support me. I'm also grateful to my coaches in Calamba, Coach July and Ronald Fajardo, and at UST, Coach Russ and Coach Mike Fajardo."
Other gold medalists included UST's Riona Rodriguez in the -78kg category, Keisha Kate Balisi in the +78kg category, and UE's Jennelyn Tunacao in the -70kg category.
