MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas (UST) leaned on a rookie and a senior to edge University of the Philippines (UP), in the process claiming its fourth straight UAAP men's judo title on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Golden Judokas finished with 18 points off two golds, a silver, and a bronze in the final day of the UAAP Season 82 competition. That haul proved enough to propel them past Day 1 leaders UP, for a final count of 34-32.

Newcomer Gabriel Ligero's run set the tone of the day for UST as he stopped heavy favorite David Gordon of De La Salle University in the quarterfinals of the featherweight class. He eventually topped rookie Miguel Gonzalvo in the finals to claim an important gold for UST.

Ligero and his teammates went into the mats with no pressure despite the deficit going into the day.

"Lagi lang sinasabi lang sa 'min ni coach to play our best. Kung mananalo hanggang gold, eh 'di better. 'Yun lang naman din," he said.

"Pinu-push pa rin naman kami ni coach na mag-champion. May mga natatalo, pero hindi namin sila hinahayaang matapos sa isang game. Pinapabawi namin sila sa mga next," he added.

Senior Eric Uy and sophomore Rafael De Leon finished 1-2 in the lightweight class to lead Ateneo de Manila University's charge in the second day. They were in title contention but eventually finished in third place with 23 points.

UP needed to take both the golds in the extra-lightweight and half-lightweight class in order to end a 12-year drought, but only Edward Figueroa emerged with a title.

The graduating Fighting Maroon took care of Ryan Benavides, who went into the final tired after a marathon semifinal against UP's Hyesung Lee, to bag the -66 kg gold.

Former Most Valuable Player Russel Mercado then fended off UP sophomore Paolo Cruz in the -60 kg final in the golden score round to seal UST's fourth straight crown.

Ligero, with his heroics and dominant showing, claimed the Most Valuable Player award. Meanwhile, middleweight gold medalist and Fighting Maroon Jayvee Ferrer bagged the Rookie of the Year title.

"Sa 'kin, gusto ko lang mag-champion, paulit-ulit. 'Yun lang naman 'yung nasa isip ko. Masaya kasi first time ko, tapos champion ulit kami. Bonus na lang 'tong kung ano man 'tong mga nakuha ko," Ligero said.

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