La Salle lady jins near crown

MANILA, Philippines - Ynah Langit powered La Salle to a 4-3 win over defending champion Far Eastern U yesterday to move within a win from clinching its first women’s title in the UAAP taekwondo tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Langit overwhelmed Marivic Garcia, 16-4, in their middle-heavy duel as the Lady Archers remained unbeaten in five matches.

Lightweight Karla Alava bucked a knee injury and edged Jyra Lizardo, 6-5, for the Lady Tams to even things up.

La Salle, which earlier scored a 7-0 shutout win over Ateneo in the morning session, can win its fifth crown with a victory against University of the Philippines in the final day of elims Tuesday.

The Lady Archers last won the championship in 1998.

FEU dropped to second with a 3-1 record.

In men’s play, titleholder University of Santo Tomas posted a 6-1 rout of tournament newcomer National University to remain unbeaten in three games.

UP also went 3-0 after defeating Ateneo, 5-2, while La Salle nosed out University of the East, 4-3, for its third win in four starts.

The Blue Eagles later barged into the win column after three straight losses with a 4-3 decision over the Tamaraws.

In other distaff side matches, the Tigresses downed the Lady Eagles, 3-1, while the Lady Maroons pummeled the Lady Warriors, 6-1.  UST and UP are in joint third with identical 2-1 slates.