UE athletes clinch UAAP coveted medals, awards

MANILA, Philippines - University of the East junior players excelled at the 77th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season in sports competitions to garner individual coveted medals, awards and recognition.

UE junior players Ron Medalla (volleyball) and Jake Francis Calda (taekwondo) bested their respective opponents, winning the most valuable player award, separately. Jemuel Rendora (taekwondo) won the Rookie of the Year award.

Recognized also for their crucial roles in the team were Joshua Umandal as the best attacker, Adrian Imperial as best setter and Ralph Imperial as best libero of the UE boys volleyball.

Taekwondo teammates Calda (featherweight), Rendora (finweight) and Miguel Garcia (welterweight) won a gold medal apiece, while Dane Brion (flyweight) won the lone silver medal.

Khalid Macadadaya and Abdul Noor, both members of the UE boys judo, each secured a bronze medal. Bianca Estrella won a gold medal for the second runner-up UE women’s Judo.

The powerhouse UE boys volleyball and taekwondo teams ended up as UAAP season champions, separately.

UE won its 11 straight UAAP title in volleyball and second consecutive crown in taekwondo. Ruel Pascual coached the UE boys volleyball.

“Now, UE has 14 UAAP titles in all in the junior division, including our first grand slam,” said UE physical education director Rodrigo Roque, a former head coach of the UE boys’ volleyball. The taekwondo coaches are Jeffrey Figueroa (head coach) and Maurice Ronario (asst.coach).  The judo mentors are Warner Cruz, Diane Rodriguez and Rodimple Rodriguez.

For inquiries on UE PE and sports programs, visit the PE Dept., 2219 C. M. Recto Avenue, or Dalupan St., Sampaloc, Manila, or call tel. 735-5471 loc. 352 or 346. Log on www.ue.edu.ph, for more info on UE.