Ateneo tries to defend the men’s crown while University of Santo Tomas seeks a three-peat in the women’s division as the UAAP judo championship opens Saturday at the Sports Pavilion inside De La Salle-Zobel campus in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa.
The Blue Eagles are expected to face a stiff competition from the Growling Tigers, who ruled the event two years ago.
UST, which defeated University of the East via a large margin last season, is tipped to win in the distaff side.
In the juniors division, the Tiger Cubs, who dethroned the Blue Eaglets in the boys division last season, will enter the two-day event as heavy favorites.
UST guns for a second straight title in the girls division, which is a demonstration event last year.
The juniors’ matches will be held in the morning, while the seniors’ bouts will be played in the afternoon.