MANILA, Philippines – University of the East (UE) made history as they ruled the UAAP Season 82 women's judo competition, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Veneza Dayao overcame the stranglehold that University of Santo Tomas (UST) and University of the Philippines (UP) had in the heavier classes to power the Lady Warriors to their first-ever women's judo championship.

The Lady Warriors finished with 30 points, just two ahead of dethroned five-time champions UST Lady Judokas.

UE's one gold and one silver were enough to propel the team to the historic championship.

"Nag-stick lang naman po kami sa general game plan namin na kahit anong mangyari, walang bibitaw, walang susuko sa gitna ng laban," said UE captain Jea Lopez.

Dayao, a sophomore, took the half-middleweight over Ateneo de Manila University's Gabriele Mereria. UST's Jeanmae Lobo and Russel Arconado bagged the two bronzes.

Eventual Rookie of the Year Sydney Sy, as expected, dominated her UAAP debut. The world sambo medalist took care of UP's Jubelle Vergara in the semifinals, before finishing teammate Risa Dela Cruz for the gold in the heavyweight class.

UP's Kayla Amado then snared the middleweight title to give last year's Rookie of the Year Remianne Pangilinan a silver for UE, giving UST some glimmer of hope for the title.

Christine Pagdanganan was not able to close it out, however. UP's Justine Main claimed her second straight half-heavyweight gold to help the Maroons finish on the podium in third place at 22 points.

Lopez, the season's Most Valuable Player, was delighted as they accomplished their mission.

"Super nagpapasalamat po kay God and also sa coaches po namin na naniwala po sa 'min from the very start," she said.

"Kahit noon pong dati may minor setbacks, 'yun po 'yung naging fire namin talaga. Nagyon po sobrang saya. Hindi kami makapaniwala na after ilang years, first time pong nag-champion ang women's team," the graduating skipper finished.

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