National University banked on its solid performance in the men’s team event to dethrone powerhouse University of Santo Tomas for its breakthrough University Athletic Association of the Philippines taekwondo poomsae crown on Tuesday at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The trio of Ceanne Rosquillo, James Lopez, and Jed Tan delivered the championship clincher by conquering the men’s team event with 8.265 points.
NU’s other gold came from Season Most Valuable Player Laeia Soria after ruling the women’s individual category with 8.250 points.
She bested Aidaine Laxa of UST, who had 8.135 points while Mikee Regala of De La Salle University finished third with 7.880 points.
“I’m still processing it, but it’s hard work basically,” NU coach Dustin Mella said. “We had to rethink our own approach to our lineup, to the events we want to emphasize. It was a lot of hard work and there were really so many factors.”
The Bulldogs finished with a 2-2-0 medal gold-silver-bronze tally while the Tiger Jins had 2-1-1.
UST needed University of the Philippines to win in the men’s event to retain the crown but the troika of Dominic Navarro, Joshua Cachero, and Datu Rayhan instead came in close second with 8.235.
Vincent Rodrigues, Kobe Macario, and Darius Venerable of UST got the third spot with 8.165.
UST topped the mixed pair and women’s team events.
Rodriguez and Chelsea Tacay outpointed De La Salle University’s Patrick Perez and Regala in the finals with a close finish for the pair gold, 8.230-8.215. J
Joaquin Tuzon and Elaine Borres got the bronze for the Blue Eagles with 7.895.
Season 84 MVP Laxa, Jade Carno and Stella Yape defended their women’s team event after finishing with 8.35 score.
NU’s Soria, Abegail Pacificador, and Denise Alicias took the silver with 8.215, while La Salle’s Sofia Sarmiento, Zyka Santiago, and Daphne Ching plucked another bronze with 8.005.
The Blue Eagles achieved their first-ever poomsae podium finish with a 1-0-1 medal tally.
Ateneo’s Joaquin Tuzon claimed the other gold of the day, reigning over the men’s individual event with 8.195, beating fancied Rosquillo (8.170) and Perez (8.115) in the process.
