INQUIRER Sports

THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS sustained its bid to capture the overall UAAP crown for the 12th straight year after picking up three titles and finishing second in five events at the end of first semester action of Season 72.

The España-based school, which has established the bar in terms of athletic programs for over a decade, amassed a pacesetting 153 points after ruling men?s badminton, men?s taekwondo and men?s beach volleyball and posting runner-up finishes in table tennis, women?s taekwondo and judo.

La Salle vaulted to second with 136 points after winning women?s badminton and men?s swimming.

Ateneo, which claimed back-to-back men?s basketball crowns and swept the judo events, was third with 118 points, followed by University of the Philippines and Far Eastern U with 111 points.

Despite its label as the marquee attraction of the UAAP season, basketball?s championship trophy only counts for 15 points in the overall race, just like the other events that don?t get their share of the spotlight.

The titles in chess, volleyball, tennis, football, baseball, softball and athletics will be contested in the second semester.

The Tamaraws scored a sweep in table tennis and ruled women?s taekwondo, but their bid suffered a blow because of their nonparticipation in judo and swimming.

University of the East, whose campaign so far has been highlighted by a second place finish to Ateneo in men?s basketball, ranks sixth with 78 points, while Adamson, which ruled women?s basketball, and National University brought up the rear with 54 and 21 points, respectively.

UST also held fort in the junior?s division with 99 points, following victories in boys? swimming, table tennis and girls? volleyball.

Closely trailing UST was UE, the champion in boys? volleyball and taekwondo, which finished the semester with 92 points.

Buoyed by titles in basketball, boys? swimming and athletics, Ateneo seized third spot with 87 points, followed by La Salle Zobel (60), UP (57), Adamson (39), FEU (28) and NU (16).