La Salle bet seeks 2nd win in URCC

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle’s Jojo Tabang goes for another victory as he squares off with Emielle Macalinao of PATTS College of Aeronautics in the Colt 45-Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) University Challenge on Saturday at the A. Venue Events Hall in Makati City.

A top-notch wrestler with superb striking techniques, the 21-year-old Tabang beat Albert de Guzman via armbar submission in the first round of their pinweight tussle last year.

Against Macalinao, the 5-foot-3 Tabang hopes to use the same strategy in a bid for another crown in the event presented by Colt 45 and supported by Tribal Gear, Alaxan FR, SolarTV and Solar Sports.

Like Tabang, Isiah Ordiz of STI College also goes all out against Glen Ranillo of University of the East in their showdown in the middleweight division.

Noted for his takedown and ground and pound skills, Ortiz won over Paul Andrew Mambiar of St. Paul College last year.

The event, backed by E-Games, 99.5RT, NU 107, Rogue Magazine, Pinoy Exchange, Synermaxx, Yoshinoya and Chris Sports, also drew the participation of the country’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) practitioners, including Karl Rodriguez of Entrepreneur School of Asia (feather), La Salle’s Meshaal Al-Khuzeem (light), La Salle’s Kevin dela Cruz (light), EAC’s Jessie Jurial (bantam), San Beda’s Mark Lester Mauricio (middle) and Letran’s Dennis Castro (feather).

Tickets, pegged at P300 and 500, are available at TicketWorld (891-9999).