The Varsitarian
MANILA—University of Santo Tomas got half of the job done in its bid for a 14th straight UAAP general championship as rivals La Salle and Ateneo also put on a strong show in the varsity league’s first-semester action.
The Tigers claimed the top spot halfway through the race for the overall title with 151 points, highlighted by a championship sweep of the men and women’s judo competition.
La Salle came in 12 points behind with 139 points, while host Ateneo amassed 117 points to secure the third spot.
Far Eastern University rounded up the top four with 111 points.
Just like in previous seasons, the Tigers dominated early in the league with five championships in four sports, including the men’s contest in taekwondo and table tennis and women’s beach volleyball, where Judy Caballejo emerged MVP.
The Tigers also picked up runner-up honors in the men’s side of swimming and beach volleyball and third place in women’s basketball.
The Archers bagged only the men’s swimming crown, but finished in the top three of eight other events to prop up their bid.
La Salle wound up second in men and women’s taekwondo, men’s judo and women’s table tennis and also earned third place in men and women’s badminton, men’s table tennis and women’s swimming.
Ateneo romped to a fourth straight title in men’s basketball and also dominated men’s badminton.
But the Lady Eagles also boosted the school’s campaign with runner-up honors in the women’s competition of beach volleyball, badminton and swimming. The Eagles also ranked third in men’s swimming and judo.
FEU, a perennial contender for the general championship, copped crowns in men’s beach volleyball, women’s basketball and women’s taekwondo.
The Tamaraws checked in second in the men’s competition of basketball and table tennis aside from finishing third in men’s taekwondo and women’s table tennis.
University of the Philippines garnered 106 points, followed by the University of the East (71), Adamson (56) and National University (34).