AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas claimed the first-ever UAAP poomsae championship after sweeping all five events in the competition officially part of the league’s general championship race.
The Growling Tigers ruled in individual, team men’s and women’s categories, and in the pairs section of the event held at The Arena in San Juan.
Mentored by national team poomsae standout Rani Ortega, UST topped University of the Philippines, which placed second with a three-silver medal haul, and Ateneo, which copped a silver and three bronzes for third third place.
World championship veteran Shaneen Sia jumpstarted the Tigers’ bid in women’s individual event with 8.35 points, dominating Blue Eagles’ France Alarilla who had 8.07 and good for silver, and Tamaraws’ Juvenile Crisostomo who had 8.05 for bronze.
UST’s Marvin Gabriel, another veteran internationalist, meanwhile, got 8.52 points in the men’s individual event, beating UP’s Dustin Mella (8.33) and Ateneo’s Raymond Bermejo (7.97).
UST’s pair of Rodolfo Reyes and Yuie Murillo copped the gold medal with 8.24 points, beating Anthony Matias and Cyrmyn Perlas of UP, who settled for silver with 8.15, and Alarilla and Francis Agojo of Ateneo, who had 8.04 for the bronze.
UST also topped FEU and La Salle for the team women’s gold, and defeated UP and Ateneo in the men’s team to complete the sweep.
Poomsae showcases the essential moves in Taekwondo, the different punches, stances and kicks, against an imaginary opponent.