UST, UE win UAAP taekwondo titles

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas narrowly captured the men’s crown as it averted a championship shutout in the UAAP Season 78 taekwondo tournament Friday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

The Growling Tigers bested National University, 6-1, and University of the East, 5-2, on the final day to finish their campaign with five wins against a loss.

The Red Warriors also wound up at 5-1 after a 4-3 decision over the Bulldogs, but the Recto-based jins lost the chance of winning their first-ever men’s title by virtue of winner-over-the-other rule. UE swept all of its six matches for its breakthrough title in the women’s division. The Lady Warriors downed NU, 5-2, and Far Eastern, 4-3, on the final day to cap a dominant campaign.   Karen Celis and Baby Jessica Cabanal were the season MVP and Rookie of the Year, respectively. UE also scored a three-peat in the juniors division via a five-match sweep.

UST thus won a league-best 13th crown, keeping a long streak of having one championship in any division every season since the event started in 1994.  UST earlier won its second poomsae title.