MANILA, Philippines - Five University of Santo Tomas jins bagged a gold medal each in the senior men’s and women’s divisions of the Smart Carlos Palanca Jr. taekwondo championships at the Rizal Memorial stadium recently.
The other gold medal winners from UST in the tournament organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association and sponsored by Smart, PLDT, Milo and the Philippine Sports Commission were lightweight Christian dela Cruz, welterweight John Mendoza, bantamweight Jade Zafra, lightweight Izel Masungsong and welterweight Camille Manalo.
San Beda’s fighters also sparkled by winning four golds in the men’s and women’s senior categories.
They were finweight Anjelay Pelaez, flyweight Devy Singson, bantam Kevin Ngitngit and middleweight Butch de Vera.
Delta flyweight Alyssa Bonifacio, FEU featherweight Karla Alava, UE finweight Joenel Rendora and Solid Ground’s feather Rommelle Roa also won their respective finals matches.
The other winners were (junior men) – TJ Avelino, finweight, D’Club; James Montante, fly, Rizal; Aaron Agojo, bantam, UST; Keno Anthony Mendoza, feather, Baguio; Joaquin Mendoza, lightweight, UST; Kevin Sia, welter, Delta; Manuel Alejandro, light-middle, Ateneo; Joshua Adias, middle, Olympia; Nicole Zapata, light-heavy, San Sebastian; and Nikko Atienza, heavyweight, Central Gym;
(Junior women) – Inna Dionisio, fin, D’Club; Noleen Naglada, fly, Butuan TKD; Zia Baluyot, bantam, D’Club; Suzzane Caslangen, feather, Baguio; Apriel Solimen, lightweight, Baguio; Kiela Therese Montinola, light middle/middle, Antique and Charlene Virtudazo, light-heavy, Central Gym;
Gradeschool (boys) - Wendil Rama, Group 1, Baguio; Alesi Heinz Golez, Gp 2, Arsenal; Ismael Ebrada, Gp 3, D’Club; Robert Santiago, Gp 4, Valenzuela; and Rainier Sanchez, Gp 5, JAO.
Gradeschool (girls) - Zyka Angelica Santiago, Gp 1, Tuguegarao; Ailester Fias-ilon, Gp 2, Baguio; Aitana Fias-ilon, Gp 3, Baguio; Keyva David, Gp 4, Bravehearts; Cleio Marie Banez, Gp 4B, Merville; Caitlin Baradas, Gp 5, DLSZ; and Angel Hernandez, Gp 6, TMC TKD.