THE PATH TO GREATNESS



The UST Judo Varsity was founded by Sensei Jojo Arce(4th dan) sometime around the mid-nineties. At the time, members were limited and the dojo was mobile. Mobile because there was no definite place for a dojo. Nonetheless, the team trained with heart and a willingness to succeed in whatever competition they joined. And that they did.


It all started in 1999 when the five man team of Mike de Vera, Paolo Vitug, Charlie Alcantara, Jason Domino, and team captain Mark Padilla, won the UAAP Judo Championship. The team went through the other competing teams like a hot knife through butter. But when they went against UP for the championship, at first the gold seemed far from reality. The score was 2-2 when it was time for then underdog, Jason Domino, to break the ice against UP's Long Jole-jole. But just when the score became in favor of Jole-Jole, Domino made a u-turn and grappled Jole-jole to victory. Hence, the start of a new era in UAAP Judo.


In the next year, the rules were changed. Instead of an open weight five man team, it was ordered that the UAAP Judo Championship follow the IJF(International Judo Federation) rules in which a seven man team of different weight categories was to be used. Coach Jojo Arce went around in circles like a dog chasing after his behind in looking for players to place in the weight categories for some of his players had already graduated(Alcantara and Padilla). Fortunately though, the P.E. Department granted the Judo Team with a regular Dojo which was located ontop of the UST Dugout. However, Even with the addition of heavyweight Pacoy Aniag and half-heavyweight, Korean Kim Jin Soo, the team was still one man short. The lineup was: Pacoy Aniag, +100kgs, Kim Jin Soo, -100kgs, Jason Domino, -90kgs, Paolo Vitug, -81kgs, Mike de Vera, -73kgs, and Francis Maher in -66kgs. The -60kgs division was left blank. The lack of one player however was drawback as the team toppled each team until they faced rival UP once again for the championship. However, UP's complete lineup was no match for the UST squad. The score was 3-2 with one win left for UST to be champion once again. Dramatically, the "Korean Panda Bear" Kim Jin Soo, threw his opponent using a Suki-nage to score an Ippon. The whole team went into tears for all the hardships and all the sweat paid off.


In the following year, as early as the 1st semester, the championship was as good as theirs. With the addition of new recruits Stevens Esteban, Freddie Agoot, and Marvin Dino, all from the Baguio Judo Club, and veterans Paolo Vitug, Jason Domino, Kim Jin Soo, and Pacoy Aniag still in the lineup, UST was going full force in the UAAP. And that they did. At game time, the UST Judo Varsity stormed its way to the top with scores like 7-0 and 6-0, a first in UAAP Judo History. Once again, UST brought home the championship.


With 3 championships under UST's belt, it was simply wrong to not continue the win. And the UST squad did just that. Still with veterans Paolo Vitug, a surpriseingly skinny Jason Domino, Kim Jin Soo, Pacoy Aniag, Steve Esteban, Freddie agoot, Emile de la Cerna contributed to the team's fierce lineup. The team was definitely strong but the other teams seemed stronger with new additions to their lineups and new training methods to boast of. Once again, the gold seemed to far for comfort for the team. This time, La Salle was strongest contender. The score was tied at 3-3. It was time for the big boys to play. Pacoy Aniag, with a fresh flesh wound on the hand from a broken bottle incident just minuted before the last match for the championship, played with all his might as he battled to bring Jeff Lim to the ground. After a few Seoi-nage attempts, Aniag finally brought Lim, who was almost twice his weight, to the ground where he pinned him down with a Yokoshiho-gatame for the gold. It was a joyous moment for UST as they celebrated in tears for garnering the 4th gold.


With the UST Judo Team on fire with 4 championships, it was almost sinful not to go for 5. With 5 championships, the team would break the UST Basketball Team's UAAP record of 4 straight championships. There were new additions and some losses to the team. Archie Oliver Martinez(the youngest black belt in Philippine history), and Taiwanese Darwin Tai joined the champion squad while veterans Paolo Vitug and Jason Domino graduated. Nonetheless, the team was on their way to a record-breaking win. However, with numerous lineup mishaps up until gametime, some members had to be replaced with alternates who were still top caliber. The final 7 were: Archie Oliver Martinez, -60, Freddie Agoot, -66, Emile de la Cerna, -73, Jeff Qin Aluyen, -81, Steve Esteban, -90, Kim Jin Soo, -100, and Renante Rodriguez, +100. From the start, because of the disqualifications of Pacoy Aniag due to eligibility, Darwin Tai due to him being overweight, and rookie Jerome Gomez's Hansokomake, the 5th gold was in jeopardy. However, the alternates proved their worth as they along with the team's mainstays, succeeded in brining the 5th gold and breaking the UST Basketball Team's record.


This year, still under the guidance of Coach Jojo Arce, and the leadership of Team Captain Emile de la Cerna, the UST Judo Varsity hopes to bring the trophy home where it rightfully belongs.


TAN-TAN TAN-TAN TAN TAN TAN TAN TAN-HOO!!!


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