Far Eastern University completed a commanding run in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate and High School Blitz Chess Championships on Sunday at the Adamson Gym, capturing three of the four available titles in a historic breakthrough for the program.

The Morayta-based FEU and its Diliman counterpart dominated across divisions, with FEU ruling the women’s collegiate division while FEU-Diliman swept both the boys’ and girls’ crowns in the high school category.

FEU head coach and Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales could only express pride as the program etched its name in UAAP history.

“We’re just so happy to be part of history. First time kasi na maging regular sport ang blitz sa UAAP and FEU ang nakakuha ng tatlo out of four division titles. That’s history and quite an achievement para sa school and sa players,” said Gonzales.

FEU opened its three-title haul with a composed and resilient campaign in the women’s division, overcoming a stacked field led by De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University.

The Lady Tamaraws first battled Ateneo in a tightly contested semifinal series, 2-2, 2.5-1.5, 2.5-1.5, before setting up a finals showdown with La Salle.

Against the Lady Woodpushers, FEU found itself locked in back-to-back 2-2 draws to open the championship series before finally breaking through in Round 3, where Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas delivered a pivotal win on Board 2 to spark a 3-1 victory. The Lady Tamaraws then carried that momentum into Round 4, sealing the crown with another 3-1 triumph.

Derotas was later crowned Most Valuable Player after finishing with a gold medal on Board 3.

“It feels really nice na maexperience na mag-MVP kasi this is my first MVP as well. And to me, na magkaroon ng special award, hindi lang siya individual medal, is something to be proud of. It feels really nice. It feels really great,” she said.

FEU also drew steady support throughout the campaign from Woman FIDE Master Francesca Largo (Board 1), Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian (Board 4), and Kate Ordizo (Board 5), all of whom earned silver medals. Samantha Umayan added a gold medal on Board 6, while April Joy Carlos secured bronze on Board 2.

De La Salle University settled for runner-up honors, banking on Checy Aliena Telesforo’s gold medal performance on Board 4, along with silver finishes from Juezia Agne (Board 2) and Heart Padilla (Board 3).

Ateneo de Manila University completed the podium after edging National University, 2.5-1.5, 3.5-0.5, 1.5-2.5, 3-1, in their playoff series. Maria Elayza Villa (Board 1) delivered a bronze medal, while Kristine Flores added a silver on Board 6.

National University also produced standout performances despite missing the podium, with Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy (Board 1) and Jersey Marticio (Board 2) each claiming gold medals.

University of Santo Tomas also made its presence felt, highlighted by Rohanisah Buto’s gold medal finish on Board 5.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

If FEU set the tone in the collegiate level, FEU-Diliman elevated it further in the high school division, completing a redemption arc with a dominant girls’ campaign led by national team mainstay and Woman International Master Ruelle Canino.

Canino captured MVP honors along with a gold medal on Board 1 after anchoring the Baby Lady Tamaraws’ run from start to finish.

“Very fulfilling kasi po natupad ko yung sinabi kong babawi kami. It’s very special kasi last season ko na sa high school and lahat ng teammates ko nagcontribute. Lahat po kami nag-effort,” said Canino.

The FEU-D squad dominated Adamson University in the semifinals, scoring back-to-back 4-0 sweeps in Rounds 1 and 2 before clinching a finals berth with a 2.5-1.5 result in Round 3 against National University Nazareth School. In the finals, they needed just three rounds to secure the inaugural blitz crown with 3-1, 3.5-0.5, 3-1 victories.

FEU-D’s medal haul in the girls’ division was rounded out by LJ Getubig, who topped Board 5 and was named Rookie of the Year, Ericka Ordizo (Board 2) with a gold medal, Lyn Getubig (Board 3) with silver, and Franiel Magpily (Board 4) and Ann Beatrice Bombales (Board 6), who each took bronze medals.

National University Nazareth School finished runner-up with silver medals from Sara Dalagan (Board 1) and Kayla Aurelio (Board 4), and bronze medals from Arena FIDE Master Ryien Bahita (Board 2) and Joella Conjurado (Board 5).

University of Santo Tomas completed the podium after defeating Adamson University in the bronze medal match, 3-1, 3-1, 4-0, highlighted by gold medals from Trina Temple (Board 3) and Iana Sotaridona (Board 4), silver medals from Daren Dela Cruz (Board 2), Axienna Mortel (Board 5), and Katriel Guerrero (Board 6), and a bronze medal from Kara Meneses (Board 1).

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

The final piece of FEU’s historic run came in the boys’ division, where FEU-Diliman completed a sweep of the high school titles behind rookie King Xyan Beltran.

Beltran led the Baby Tamaraws past top-seeded University of Santo Tomas in the finals, 3-1, 2-2, 2.5-1.5, going undefeated on Board 1 to claim MVP honors.

“Malaking bagay po ito sa akin (yung MVP) kasi first time ko lang mag-UAAP. Sulit po talaga yung binigay kong hard work and training,” said Beltran.

FEU-D also showcased its depth with Gladimir Romero (Board 3) delivering a gold medal, Arena Candidate Master Joemel Narzabal (Board 2) and Lance Orlina (Board 4) both earning silver medals, and Lord Yofiel Young named Rookie of the Year after a silver finish on Board 6.

University of Santo Tomas finished runner-up with a strong medal spread led by gold medals from Jian Carlo Rivera (Board 2), Glenn Dale Panuelos (Board 5), and John Adonairam (Board 6), a silver from King Lanz Pamplona (Board 1), and bronze medals from John Cyrus Borce (Board 3) and Arena International Master Gabriel Paradero (Board 4).

Adamson University completed the podium in the boys’ division, led by Karl Ashton Fratkin’s gold medal on Board 4, alongside silver medals from Allan Dolfo (Board 3) and Jian Bautista (Board 5), and a bronze medal from Charles Candor (Board 6).

The post FEU captures 3 of 4 titles in UAAP Blitz Chess appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas completed an event sweep in the UAAP Season 88 Judo Championships, delivering a dominant performance in the men’s division and a strong finish in the women’s side on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.

The España-based institution’s judo squads duplicated the feat they achieved in Season 79 (2016–2017), while also following the same winning formula recently shown by its beach volleyball teams just a few months ago.

The collegiate squads also built on the high school division’s sweep of titles earlier in the day, with each team writing its own redemption story.

Carrying a comfortable 17-point cushion after Day 1 over nearest challenger De La Salle University Green Judokas, the Tiger Judokas stepped on the gas on Day 2, adding 24 more points behind two golds, three silvers, and one bronze, including two 1–2 finishes.

Janry Pamor outlasted teammate Juan Miguel Evangelista in the under-60 kg final to clinch the gold, while Randy Ferrera defeated eventual Rookie of the Year Aeon Lance Kim in the under-73 kg title bout.

Pamor secured the win via arm lock barely two minutes into the match against Evangelista, while Ferrera finished Kim with two successive two-handed throws, the second resulting in an ippon just past the one-minute mark.

“Bittersweet, kasi, although nanalo, may issue na dapat hindi nangyari. Pero siyempre very proud pa rin ako kasi ang trabaho lang naman ng coach ay i-guide lang sila, pero nasa kanila pa rin ‘yung hirap, ‘yung sakripisyo. Sila rin naman ‘yung deserving na makakuha nung championship,” said long-time men’s coach Steve Esteban.

Kyan Ballecer, who won the under-90 kg gold on Saturday, was named men’s MVP.

“It’s quite overwhelming, kasi we never expected na mananalo po. We prayed for it, we worked for it, pero hindi namin talaga expected. Kasi meron pa nga pong laban ‘yung UP and other schools pero we secured our championship,” said the third-year Tourism major.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

On the women’s side, Margaret Fajardo and Iahna Jaboneta handled their respective opponents from the University of the Philippines to fend off their traditional rivals and secure UST’s first title since Season 81 (2018).

Fajardo won the lone match in the under-78 kg division over Leah Margaret Ladia with an ippon via o-goshi after just 31 seconds, while Jaboneta forced a submission against eventual Rookie of the Year Rovy Mae Ujano after nearly two minutes in their final bout.

Mariah Lua added another gold in the under-70 kg via ippon from a morote against Adamson University’s Myles Casañas.

“Kahit sabihin nang laos na salita, pero thank you, Lord, talaga, kasi ang tagal namin ‘tong hinintay. Actually, dapat ‘di ba ‘yung UAAP first semester pa, so nanghintay kami ng one-and-a-half year. So, one-and-a-half year kaming nagte-training, one-and-a-half year kaming nagbi-build, and one-and-a-half year din kaming naputol. Dati ‘yung lineup namin mahaba ‘yung pila, pero naging 15 na lang; naubos ‘yung lineup namin kasi ‘yung iba dahil sa eligibility, personal problems, so sobrang hirap pero sobrang sarap,” said Lady Judokas’ head coach Gerard Arce.

Christine Quiniones, who captured the under-44 kg gold, was named the division’s top student-athlete and expressed pride in finally ending the team’s four-year title drought.

“Siyempre, masaya, kasi po mahaba rin po ang naging preparation po namin. So, happy lang na naibalik na namin ‘yung title sa UST. Marami ring tournaments na sinalihan po kami, and training rin po talaga,” the third-year Fitness and Sports Management major shared.

“Tiwala lang po talaga sa sarili and tiwala lang rin po kay coach para ma-pull off namin ‘tong championship,” she added.

The UP Fighting Maroons mounted a rally in both the men’s and women’s divisions but ultimately finished as runners-up behind the Tiger and Lady Judokas’ golden double.

Seniors Lee Hyejun and returning Paolo Cruz delivered gold medals for the men’s side in the under-55 kg and under-66 kg divisions, respectively, while Joelle Ting outlasted her rookie sparring partner Gabrielle Talaue to claim the under-63 kg title.

Lee edged Justin Bagallon with a waza-ari in the final seven seconds via a sumi gaeshi, while Cruz defeated Ateneo’s John Falcon Dylim III with a late yuko via okuri ashi barai with 17 seconds remaining.

Ting won over Talaue with an early yuko via tani otoshi, separating the two UP judokas.

The Fighting Maroons finished a distant second in the men’s division with 18 points, while the women’s team narrowly fell short of dislodging UST with 25.

Ateneo de Manila University placed third with 14 points, highlighted by Dylim’s silver and Eric Rodriguez’s bronze in the under-55 kg division, finishing just one point ahead of De La Salle University Green Judokas’ 13 points.

University of the East’s reign ended with a third-place finish in the women’s division, led by the under-73 kg gold of national team standout Joemari-Heart Rafael.

After losing the boys’ title and failing to reclaim the girls’ crown in December 2024, the Junior Tiger and Junior Lady Judokas completed their redemption in contrasting fashion.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

After three seasons of heartbreak, the Junior Lady Judokas finally climbed back to the top, emerging victorious in a tight battle with former champions University of the East Junior Lady Warriors on the second and final day.

Meanwhile, the Junior Tiger Judokas held off a spirited rally from the Ateneo Blue Eagles en route to a narrow 40–32 victory.

“Ang sinabi ko lang is bounce back, siyempre, mag-regroup ‘yung team. Kinausap ko kasi either we make it or break it ulit ngayon, di ba? Kaya kinailangan naming ibuhos lahat; all out. All out kasi ga-graduate na sila, gusto nilang maibalik,” said head coach Paul De Vera of the team’s resolve after a heartbreaking Season 87.

In nearly all four remaining weight divisions, it was a battle between UST and reigning champion UE, with the España-based squad capitalizing to clinch the championship with a 54–32 advantage.

“Sa babae, nabawi na namin. Natanggal na namin ‘yung second day sumpa namin. Pero lahat sila nag-stand out, lahat sila, team effort talaga,” De Vera said.

Stefanny Talob defeated UE’s Gabrielle Dizon in the under-44 kg final to complete a sweep and secure the gold, while teammate Mikeighia De Vera earlier beat Dizon to support the 1–2 finish.

Eventual MVP Zkeana Valdez delivered in the under-57 kg division, stopping UE’s Ezyl Diaz to clinch the title and seal UST’s comeback.

“Noong first year ko po sa team, hindi po namin nakuha ‘yung championship. Pero now, nakuha na naman siya, hindi ko ma-explain kung gaano ako kasaya. Kasi kahit po parang ang hirap ng training, nandito kami ngayon as champions,” said the 18-year-old standout.

Sophia Novino and Rhain De la Cruz completed a 1–2 finish in the under-48 kg division for the Junior Lady Warriors, while last year’s MVP Jhenica Serrano still claimed the under-52 kg crown.

Zeus Babanto and Ethan Dalmacio secured championship-clinching golds against their Blue Eagle counterparts, erasing the disappointment of last season’s silver-medal finish behind the Junior Warriors.

Babanto defeated Datu Alejandro Mamaril in the under-90 kg final, while Dalmacio successfully defended his title against Season 86 champion Alessandro Nieto in the over-100 kg division.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Zachary Cabrera, who won the under-66 kg gold on Saturday, was named boys’ MVP, reflecting on the team’s rebuild after last year’s setback.

“Nabuo po ‘yang team; na-build po kami; sinasabayan namin ang isa’t isa; wala pong iwanan. Kahit ‘yung training namin mahirap; ‘yung lahat ng hard training po hindi po namin dinaya, pinaghirapan po talaga namin lahat,” said the De La Salle Araneta product.

Now that the crowns are back in España, De Vera hopes to keep them there despite the expected exodus of key judokas.

“Same pa rin, training pa rin, and marami pa naman kaming young guns na papalit. Kakayanin namin; step by step lang ‘yan,” said the champion mentor.

Ateneo also rose in the standings as Alphonso Academia pulled off a shock win over UST’s Joermil Caguicla in the under-81 kg gold medal match.

Blue Eagle Eoin Jamel Sarapuddin dominated the under-100 kg division, sweeping all four of his bouts to secure the gold.

Paolo Dolor salvaged a bronze in the under-90 kg division, giving the Junior Red Warriors something to celebrate in a third-place finish with 16 points.

De La Salle Zobel’s Miguel Tecson, a bronze medalist in the under-55 kg division, was named boys’ Rookie of the Year.

The post UST completes historic UAAP Judo event sweep appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Defending champions University of Santo Tomas and University of the East leaned on national team upstarts to establish contrasting leads in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Judo Championships on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.

Coming off their golden exploits in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Chino Sy and Joemari-Heart Rafael made sure to remain the standard in their respective weight divisions as they entered their fourth collegiate seasons.

The Tiger Judokas lorded it over the opening day with a comfortable 27-point output, powered by two 1–2 finishes in the under-90 and under-100 kg weight classes.

Sy, in particular, stole the spotlight with a fourth straight UAAP title in the under-100 kg division, dismantling teammate and rookie Jeordan Caguicla with a two-handed throw just eight seconds into the contest.

“Yes, syempre this UAAP season is very special to me kasi ito na rin yung last playing year ko. So, ito talaga gusto kong ending for my collegiate career,” said the UAAP Season 85 men’s MVP.

“Sobrang proud ako and thankful ako sa UST sa pagbibigay sa ‘kin ng chance na makalaro at makasali dito sa UAAP. And syempre para sa personal achievement ko naman sobrang saya ko kase natapos ko yung career na naka-gold ako, and with a good performance,” said Sy, who is also a SEA Games champion in sambo.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Kyan Louis Ballecer retained his own gold in the under-90 kg, defeating Dwyne Peregrino via ippon through kosoto makikomi just 1:15 into the bout, after an early yuko just seconds into the match.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

De La Salle University sits in second place with 10 points, led by George Baclagan’s successful defense of his over-100 kg title against UST’s Tristan Jacob Reyes.

The third-year standout completed his three-peat with a strong ouchi-gari over Reyes, sealing the win just under two minutes into the final.

Three Green Judokas also secured bronze medals to support Baclagan, with Jerson Laguesma earning one in the under-90 kg, while Quintin Berdera and Sian Guevarra shared podium finishes in the under-100 kg.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Ateneo reclaimed the under-81 kg title after three seasons of Jayvee Ferrer’s dominance, as Aldwyn Ceyen Thor pinned UST’s John Aniciete with kesa gatame, with 2:42 remaining on the clock.

A bronze from fellow Blue Eagle Kian Matienzo in the same weight class and another from Stefan Fabre in the under-90 kg division brought Ateneo’s total to nine points after Day 1.

University of the Philippines collected two bronze medals courtesy of Carl Almeyda in the under-81 kg and Miguel Javier in the over-100 kg categories.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

On the women’s side, Rafael captured her fourth straight gold, successfully defending her under-57 kg title in style with an arm lock to finish Ateneo’s Robynne Gonzales in 1:27.

The victory kept the Lady Warriors slightly ahead of second-running UST Lady Judokas (12 points), while La Salle (9) and UP (8) remain within striking distance in a tight team race.

“Yes, nag-stay pa po ako ulit, then gusto ko rin po mag-give back dahil po sa UE nakapagtapos po ako ng pag-aaral at dito din po ako nagpalakas, kaya gusto ko rin mag-give back, kaya nag-stay ako,” said the UAAP Season 85 women’s Rookie-MVP.

“Personally, feeling ko po, syempre, una, masaya and grateful po ako na nakuha yung gold and di ko po ’to makukuha kung di dahil sa guide ni God, pero ito kasi inalay ko na sa UE itong taon kasi baka last game ko po ’to ngayon, and syempre ginawa ko motivation lahat po ng hirap na pinagdaanan ko,” said Rafael, a Master’s in Public Administration major.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Christine Quiniones claimed the gold in the under-44 kg category to keep UST in step with the reigning four-time champions. The third-year standout forced a third shido on UE’s Denniece Tan to finally end the contest after more than nine minutes.

La Salle’s Hannah Mira and UE’s Mikaela Palima completed the podium in that weight class.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

The Lady Green Judokas saw Tala Danielle Tadeo push them to third in the standings with nine points, as the third-year standout delivered gold in the under-48 kg division.

Tadeo denied UE’s Sweet Trillo the title after the Lady Warrior was penalized with a third shido three minutes into golden score.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

Annika Caminero upgraded her Season 87 silver in the under-52 kg class into gold to put the Fighting Maroons just a single point behind the Lady Green Judokas.

Caminero, a Southeast Asia Judo Championships gold medalist, needed only a waza-ari via tai otoshi, just 35 seconds into the match, against UST’s Zoey Itliong. Maxine Bautista added a bronze in the under-57 kg to give UP a total of eight points.

The post Chino Sy, Heart Rafael lead UST men, UE women surge in judo opener appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.