PH taekwondo jins win 2 golds in Asean University Games

Christian Al Dela Cruz (second from left, second row) proudly displays his gold medal after defeating Pham Huu Son of Vietnam, 8-4, in the men’s welterweight finals of the 16th ASEAN University Games taekwondo. Ateneo’s Em Fernandez awarded the medals to the winners. Photo courtesy of Sugar Catalan

MANILA, Philippines – Team UAAP-Philippines bagged two gold medals in taekwondo in the 16th Asean University Games in Vientiane, Laos, according to the country’s official website (https://auglaos2012.com/) on the biennial games.

University of Santo Tomas jins Christian Al dela Cruz and Ernest John Mendoza led the Philippines’ gold haul in the week-long competition organized by the Asean University Sports Council.

Dela Cruz, the UAAP Season 75 MVP, pulled ahead, thanks to a strong third-round showing to beat Pham Huu Son of Vietnam, 8-4, in the men’s welterweight finals.

Mendoza, on the other hand, won when hometown bet Sawatvilay Phimmasone was disqualified in their gold medal match.

The Philippines, which hosted the biennial event 10 years ago, also seized two bronze medals, thanks to Jane Narra and Rebecca Pahoyo.

Narra, another UST jin, settled for third place after losing to Tring Kim Tuong Van of Vietnam, 4-8, in the women’s welterweight semifinals while diver Pahoyo clinched the bronze with 205.10 points in women’s 10-meter platform.

Meanwhile, Ateneo’s Toby Gadi was eliminated after yielding to Malaysia and Indonesia via identical 1-4 scores.

The Philippines opened its campaign Thursday in poomsae where Ateneo’s Frances Beatrice Alarilla and Raymund Ed Dominic Bermejo finished sixth in the mixed pair.

Bermejo ended up in fifth place in the men’s individual event while Far Eastern University’s Leanarda Nicole Landrito placed seventh in the distaff side.

Malaysia leads the medal tally with nine golds, four silvers and 12 bronzes followed by Vietnam (8-10-16), Laos (8-6-9), defending overall champion Thailand (4-7-9) and Philippines (2-0-2).