THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) reasserted its supremacy in the UAAP as it claimed the overall crown in the senior and junior divisions and retained its distinction as the winningest school in the league.
UST was recognized the Season 87 overall champion in both divisions during the league’s closing ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The España university claimed its 48th overall title in the collegiate ranks and its 24th in the high school level.
“This historic achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P. said in a statement.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this success, including the UST community, our supporters, and our sponsors. We are proud of the hard work and sacrifice that led to this glorious moment,” he added.
The University of the Philippines ranked second in the seniors’ division with 271 points, while the De La Salle University rounded out the podium with 261 points.
The National University placed second in the juniors’ division with 143 points, followed closely by De La Salle Santiago Zobel with 141.
Eight straight crowns
The España-based university amassed a total of 346 points across 31 events in the seniors division, earning its eighth consecutive overall title. UST athletes racked up an 8-7-9 gold-silver-bronze medal haul.
It was the Male Woodpushers who delivered the university’s first gold of the season, which was followed by the Poomsae Jins with a back-to-back titles. UST also achieved a golden sweep in table tennis.
The Tiger Sands extended their dominance in men’s beach volleyball, winning their sixth consecutive crown. The Female Tennisters bagged their first gold in seven years, while the Lady Fencers won their maiden gold.
UST also settled for silver finishes after the Male Tennisters, Female Tracksters, Lady Jins and the Lady Tiger Sands came up short in capturing their respective events’ titles.
On the basketball court, the Growling Tigresses failed to defend their crown, settling for a runner-up finish. The men’s 3×3 basketball team also had a silver finish.
After two horrible seasons, the UST Growling Tigers landed a bronze—their best finish since Season 82. The women’s 3×3 basketball squad also settled for a bronze.
Meanwhile, the Tiger Jins and the Male Tracksters snapped a decade-long and an eight-year medal drought with bronze finishes, respectively.
On the open field, the Lady Booters claimed their first bronze medal in eight years, while both the Golden Sox and Tiger Softbelles bagged bronze in baseball and softball, respectively.
Both the Golden Spikers and Tigresses capped their campaigns with bronze medals in indoor volleyball.
Nine-year excellence
In the high school division, UST collected 289 points across 22 events to claim its ninth straight general championship.
The junior squads delivered a strong medal haul of 11 titles, nine first runner-up finishes and a single bronze.
In boys’ basketball, the Tiger Cubs captured the elusive crown to end a 24-year title drought. It was a similar story in boys’ football as UST snapped FEU-Diliman’s 12-year championship streak.
UST also delivered golden doubles in table tennis and swimming. The boys’ indoor and beach volleyball teams emerged as champions.
Meanwhile, the boys’ athletics team added to the golden haul with a strong finish on the track.
The junior squads also led the league in silver medals, with runner-up finishes in girls’ athletics, junior high school boys’ basketball, girls’ beach volleyball, chess, fencing, judo, boys’ taekwondo and girls’ volleyball.
Bringing UST’s sole bronze in the high school level was the Junior Golden Tigresses.
Under the current UAAP point system, the champion team in each event earns 15 points, the runner-up gets 12, and the third placer receives 10 points. Subsequent rankings are awarded 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1 points, respectively.
UST will be the host of UAAP Season 88, which will begin in September and will carry the theme “Strength in Motion, Hope in Action.” F
The numbers of dominance
48 and 24.
Congratulations UST General Champions. The best athletic program.