The Varsitarian

THEIR perennial under-the-ceiling reputation on the UAAP front hardly mattered for members of the UST athletics team this time as they momentarily shelved a heated rivalry with Far Eastern University to deliver the goods for the National Capital Region (NCR) at the onset of the PRISAA track and field competition last April 9.

“Team NCR just had to win,” UST coach Manny Calipes told the Varsitarian. “This time we brought home the victory.”

Season 70 MVP Bernardita Mag-aso and Rookie of the Year Luville Dato-on led the UST-FEU reinforced NCR squad on top of the medal heap in the women’s division with 33 golds, nine silvers, and three bronzes.

Mag-aso sprinted her way to the PRISAA MVP diadem with gold-medal finishes in the 800-meter, 1,500-meter, and 3,000-meter runs, respectively.

Dato-on, a former Western Visayas standout, struck gold in the 100-meter dash and long jump events while bagging a silver in the triple jump.

Female Trackster Keizel Pedriña added to the NCR cause with a 400-meter dash gold while teammate Adjennie delos Santos capped her 3,000-meter and 500-meter-race stints with a pair of silvers. Discuss thrower Maria dela Paz and 400-meter hurdler Lovely Olaira were the other silver-medal winners for UST.

On the other hand, the mixed UST and FEU quartets dominated the 4x100-meter, 4x200-meter, 4x300-meter, 4x400-meter and 4x800-meter relays to collect 20 more golds for the Big City contingent.

In men’s play, the UST triumvirate of Ben Alejandrino, Glenn Arcangel and Jun Rey Bao snared 30 golds, including winning records in the 800-meter and 1,500-meter runs, and 400-meter hurdles and relay races. H.J.D. Brobo