INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?It was only fitting that perennial overall champion University of Santo Tomas produced the two Athletes of the Year who were honored Thursday during the 72nd UAAP Annual Awards Night at the Far Eastern University Auditorium.

Taekwondo ace Marlon Avenido, who bagged silver medals in two international meets last year, was adjudged MVP in the seniors division to duplicate the feat of swimmer Gian Berino in the juniors.

The twin achievements punctuated another scintillating year for UST, which captured its 12th straight overall championship, after winning seven titles in 28 events.

UST swept men and women?s indoor volleyball and also ruled men?s badminton, men?s taekwondo, men?s beach volleyball, tennis, and softball.

The 21-year-old Avenido, a member of the national team, won silver medals in the Asian Martial Arts Games in Bangkok last year and the Southeast Asian Games in Laos.

Berino set three records in a four-gold splurge in the league?s swimming meet.

FEU president Anton Montinola turned over the UAAP flag to Bro. Bernie Oca of De La Salle University, host of this year?s competitions. Cedelf P. Tupas