Fancied RTU claims 16 taekwondo golds

MANILA, Philippines - Defending overall champion Rizal Technological University lived up to its billing with another smashing performance on the third day of action in the 22nd State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association-National Capital Region (SCUAA-NCR) at the RTU quadrangle in Mandaluyong City.

RTU shone brightest in taekwondo, sweeping all 16 gold medals at stake in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

The Mandaluyong-based team also struck hardest in basketball, boxing, chess, softball, table tennis and volleyball to move on the threshold of winning another overall championship in this prestigious competitions featuring the country’s leading state colleges and universities.

Winning the gold medals for RTU in taekwondo are Gerald Camo (finweight), George Balberona (flyweight), Daniel Tan (bantamweight), Jordan Panayas (featherweight), Sandy Carino (lightweight), Douglas Gilbuela (welterweight), Milbert Manoto (middleweight), and Ronnie Kevin Aquino (heavyweight) in the men’s division; and Mary Grace Interro (finweight), Michelle Monterey (flyweight), Julie Ann Dayang (bantamweight), Mary Joy Silvestre (featherweight), Jessica Ramos (ligthweight), April Interno (welterweight), Sandra Santosidad (middleweight) and Krystel Campos (heavyweight) in the women’s bracket.

In men’s basketball, RTU demolished Technological University of the Philippines, 88-58, to assume the solo lead with four straight wins.

Rodney Santos, Jessmar Sabangan, Nikko Montelibano, Jericho Cruz and Philip Paniomogan provided the firepower for the Blue Thunders’ fourth straight lopsided victory.

Santos topscored for the Beaujing Acot-mentored Blue Thunders with 14 points, followed by Sabangan with 12, Montelibano and Cruz with 11 and Paniomogan with 10.

In other basketball matches, PUP whipped Philippine Normal University, 101-54, for its third straight win while Marikina Polytechnic College defeated Philippine Normal University, 68-54, for its first win in three outings.

RTU also stamped its class in boxing, winning over PUP in pinweight, light flyweight, flyweight and featherweigth divisons.

PUP, however, struck back with victories in bantamweight and lightweight categories.