THE ATENEO Blue Eagles Men’s and Women’s Judo Teams began their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 conquests in prolific fashion earlier today at the Marikina Sports Complex. The Blue Eagles yielded a fine result of two silver and two bronze medals from Yza Claravall, Rosanna Nolido, Arhann Rodil, and Reyner Legaspi, respectively, in an eventful opening slate for the two-day competition.
Men’s -90kg division
Following Ateneo’s fourth-place finish in Season 85, poised Blue Eagle veteran Rodil took to the mats first for the Atenean judokas in the -90kg division. While the silver medalist from a year ago dropped his opening match, he quickly bounced back in the repechage round versus De La Salle University’s (DLSU) Antonio Mirador. Rodil rode the momentum of the favorable result, dispatching University Santo Tomas’s (UST) Cadampog in the bronze medal match via an armbar submission. This win sealed Ateneo’s first third-place finish in the two-day meet. Yvan Ayalin also bannered the Blue Eagles in the same division, putting up a commendable effort despite dropping two losses.
Women’s -52kg division
Suiting up for the Blue and White in the -52kg division were Janelle Runes and Robynne Gonzales. Both judokas displayed eagerness and heart but were stopped by adversaries from the University of the East (UE) and UST.
Women’s -48kg division
Ateneo Women’s Judo Team Captain Claravall went to work quickly and decisively in the -48kg division—winning both of her first matches via ippons to book a spot at the gold medal bout. While Claravall was held off in the battle for first, she valiantly took home her second silver medal since Season 85. Janielle Sanchez also left her own mark in the same division, sealing an impressive bounce-back win at the golden score via ippon. Sanchez went as far as to qualify for the bronze medal match, but ultimately bowed to DLSU’s Tala Tadeo.
Women’s -57kg division
Blue Eagles Nolido and Janelle Panes represented the Loyola Heights-based unit in the -57kg division. Nolido strung together stellar wins to march her way onto the championship round, but was a single point short of capturing the gold. Regardless, Nolido’s performance sealed the Blue Eagles Women’s Team’s second silver of the day–already topping their silver medal tally of one from a season ago.
Meanwhile, Panes clinched an early victory over a University of the Philippines-based foe via ippon. With a chance for a guaranteed top two finish, Panes was unable to garner a favorable outcome against UE’s judoka in an otherwise applaudable showing.
Men’s -81kg division
In another strong showing for Ateneo, Stefan Fabre’s stint saw him fall just short of a podium finish against UST’s John Anciente.
Men’s -100kg division
Legaspi and Ethan Sarte also put together productive outings for Ateneo in the Men’s -100kg division. Despite formidable competition, Legaspi bagged the Blue Eagles’ second bronze medal of the tournament via ippon. In the same weight class, Sarte made a commendable appearance in the battle for third, but absorbed a loss after getting taken down via ippon.
After Ateneo’s day one showing, Blue Eagle silver medalists Claravall and Nolido hoped that their performances would be taken as inspiration by the rest of their teammates tomorrow.
Podium finishers Rodil and Legaspi likewise shared the same sentiment when asked how they wanted their hard work to be viewed by their fellow Atenean judokas.
The Ateneo Men’s and Women’s Judo Teams will be on the hunt to mark up their medal tallies on the tournament’s final day tomorrow, at the same venue.
