CAPAS, TARLAC — University of Santo Tomas opened its campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Athletics Championships in rousing fashion, leading both the men’s and women’s divisions at the end of Day 1, Thursday, at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here.
Azeneth Serat took center stage as she powered the España-based squad to the top of the women’s standings with 80 points in the tournament backed by Masiv Sports and CF Moto.
The 21-year-old Bukidnon native successfully defended her title in the women’s 5,000-meter racewalk, shattering a 16-year-old record previously held by Far Eastern University’s Florida Gonzales. Serat set a new mark of 26:04.63, eclipsing Gonzales’ 27:27.73, and finishing well ahead of University of the Philippines’ Juliana Talaro (27:44.80) and Julianne Bayola (29:21.33).
“Actually, ang ine-aim ko po eh ‘yung national record. Kaya lang, parang hindi ko po kakayanin; eh sobrang init po. So, ang sabi ko po, ito na lang po munang UAAP record and susubukan ko,” said the third-year Fitness and Sports Management major.
“Happy ako, hindi lang para sa sarili ko kungdi para sa buong team at sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa ‘kin,” Serat added, expressing pride in both her performance and UST’s strong start.
SPRINT, VAULT TIGERS PROPEL UST TO TOP
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Sports Memorabilia
Season 85 MVP Lianne Pama delivered UST’s second gold medal after ruling the women’s 100 meters with a blistering 11.82 seconds — the only sub-12 performance in the final. FEU’s Shane Ponce (12.00) and Annie Mercurio (12.24) settled for silver and bronze, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UAAP Team Gear
On the men’s side, Hokkett Delos Santos maintained his dominance in the pole vault, claiming another gold with a best leap of 4.50 meters to lead a UST sweep of the podium. Mejen Sumbongan (4.30) and Sean Harry Narag (4.20) completed the 1-2-3 finish, pushing the Tiger Tracksters to the top of the standings with 63 points, ahead of Ateneo de Manila’s 52 points.
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