DLSU Kyorugi Jins cap off S86 with contrasting results
The De La Salle University (DLSU) Kyorugi Teams cap off the UAAP Season 86 Taekwondo Championships by securing 4th and 2nd runner-up positions for the Green and Lady Jins, respectively. The two-day competition was held last November 28 and November 29 at the Marikina Sports Complex.
DLSU Lady Jins
It was an unfortunate start to the DLSU Lady Jins’ season opener as they faltered against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 2–5. Looking to redeem themselves, the team had two more matches to look forward to, facing the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. The team quickly bounced back after easily winning the following games for Day 1, defeating FEU and UP and finishing both matches 5–2. Their 2–1 win record for Day 1 helped the team inch closer to the leading universities, NU and Season 85 Champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) Female Tiger Jins.
DLSU Green Jins
The DLSU Green Jins, on the other hand, suffered back-to-back losses during the first day of the championships. Both losses were close fights for the Green and White against the UST Tiger Jins and the FEU Tamaraws, falling short and scoring 3–4 in both matches. It was only until their face-off versus the UP Fighting Maroons that they got in the rhythm and secured a comeback win, 5–2, to cap off Day 1.
Day 2 was a challenge for the Green and Lady Jins, for they were set to go up against the reigning champions of their respective brackets. The Green Jins carried over their victory to the next day after defeating the reigning four-peat champion NU Bulldogs in a tight match that finished 4–3. Unfortunately, the Lady Jins’ winning streak was cut short after succumbing to defending champion UST Lady Tiger Jins in another tight-knit bout that ended in 3–4. However, both teams were able to redeem themselves as they defeated the Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo) Blue Eagles to cap off the season, both in a 6–1 finish.
At the end of the Day 2 championships, the Lady Jins were ranked third in the overall season with a 3–2 slate, with Jade Papa securing a gold medal in the fin weight (under 46 kg) category and Aliyah Eusalan bagging her own gold in the middle/heavyweight (over 67 kg) division. Additionally, Angeline Alcantara donned a silver medal in the bantamweight division and was awarded the honor of the UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year.
Over on the men’s side, the Green Jins capped off their UAAP Season 86 stint, placing 4th with the same win-loss tally as the women’s team. Johnson Lloyd Rosario brought home a gold medal in the fin weight (under 54 kg) division.
