Team UAAP jins bag 2 more Asean University golds

THE TAEKWONDO jins of Team UAAP-Philippines won two more gold medals to finish second behind Thailand in the 17th Asean University Games Thursday in Palembang, Indonesia.

University of Santo Tomas’ Aries Capispisan ruled the men’s 80-kilogram category after defeating Mohamad Akmad Omar of Malaysia while National University’s Shiryl Badol routed Indonesia’s Sribuena Resmol in the women’s 53 kg.

Two more silver medals courtesy of UST’s Korina Paladin and NU’s Arven Alcantara, and a bronze from Ateneo’s Joel Alejandro boosted the Filipinos’ haul.

At the end of the three-day taekwondo competition, Team UAAP Philippines collected four golds, four silvers and four bronzes behind Thailand’s eight golds, three silvers and three bronzes.

Host Indonesia wound up third with three golds, five silvers and three bronzes.

The PH athletes thus surpassed the two gold medals it won in Laos in 2012.

Thailand also leads the overall race with a 16-7-5 tally while the host country is second at 14-19-9.

Other Filipino gold medalists were Ateneo’s Aaron Agojo in men’s 58 kg, UST’s Rodolfo Reyes and Jocel Ninobla in poomsae mixed pair.

Team UAAP-Philippines will wrap up its preliminary round assignments in women’s volleyball against Singapore at 6 p.m. today, with a win formally giving the Alyssa Valdez-led squad a spot in the bronze medal match.  Team PH dropped a 14-25, 17-25, 25-21, 20-25 decision to powerhouse Thailand yesterday.

Valdez led the Filipinos’ charge with 22 points, including 19 from attacks, while Michelle Morente and Ella de Jesus combined for 15 hits.

Also set to plunge into action next week are table tennis, swimming and athletics bets.