UST reigns supreme in UAAP S85, clinches high school and collegiate overall titles
By Joie Frances Timbas
The University of Santo Tomas proved its mastery of the UAAP as they brought home yet again overall championships for both the juniors and seniors divisions in the UAAP Season 85 general awarding ceremony, held on Saturday afternoon, May 27, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
This victorious feat materialized through the Thomasian athletes’ total medal haul of 18, comprising nine golds, six silvers, and three bronzes in the seniors division.
The gold medals were achieved through the dominance of male athletes in chess, badminton, table tennis, and judo, while the female athletes showed prowess in taekwondo, athletics, and 3x3 women’s basketball. Lastly, an impressive golden double in beach volley.
UST came in second in the sporting competition of both divisions in fencing, women’s table tennis, men’s and co-ed taekwondo, and women’s judo. The bronze podium finishes were all nabbed by female Thomasian athletes in basketball, badminton, and softball.
After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, UST high school garnered 16 medals also to bring the general championship title back to España.
Eight gold medals tallied from golden doubles in swimming and judo while single junior division championships in girls’ beach volley, girls’ athletics, girls’ table tennis, and boys’ taekwondo.
The University extended its streak in the seniors division to six consecutive overall titles, making it their 46th to hold the most general championships in the collegiate league.
While in the juniors division, this became their seventh consecutive general championship award, counting out the two canceled seasons due to COVID-19.
UST also holds the most general championships record in the juniors division, with 22 in total.
The last time UST was not the UAAP overall champion in college was in Season 79 (2015–2016) when La Salle was crowned. While in the high school division, it was the University of East took the title in Season 76 (2013–2014).
