Far Eastern University made a strong push over the past three days to ultimately dominate the competition and claim its league-best 26th UAAP Collegiate Women’s athletics championship on Sunday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium here.

Just like their journey toward redemption last season, the Lady Tamaraws focused on regaining momentum and, as a result, captured the crown in this tournament, backed by CF Moto and Masiv Sports, despite trailing the University of Santo Tomas after Day 1.

FEU not only recovered from its slow start but went on to dominate the field with a massive 373.5 points, securing a record-setting title and the university’s first championship of Season 88.

“You know that FEU has a legacy, di ba? And pressure rin on my part kasi isa ko sa mga coaches na may longest championship streak dito sa women’s category. Sabi ko sa sarili ko na, next season na much better pa; not only with the points, but also ‘yung mga special awards na pwede naming makuha,” said long-time head coach Ross Hamero, reflecting on the team’s mindset after regaining the crown last year.

True to Coach Hamero’s goals, the Lady Tamaraws not only dominated the overall standings but also secured both the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards.

Edna Magtubo, the second-year standout from Mandurriao National High School in Iloilo City, who had won two golds in the previous two days in record-breaking fashion in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, claimed silver in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Sunday afternoon with a time of 11:14.39, emerging as this season’s MVP.

“Nagtodo po ako ng training ko kasi ang alam ko po ‘yung mga nakalaban ko last year, wala na po sila. Nagbawi ako sa mga events ko and kumuha po ako ngayon ng golds,” said the 22-year-old standout on claiming the meet’s highest individual honor.

“Hindi lang po sa ‘kin nanggaling, nagsabi rin po ‘yung mga coaches ko na kaya mo ‘yan. Mag-training ka lang and mag-aral ka lang nang maayos; pumasok ka sa school para makalaro ka this season,” she added.

Adding to FEU’s championship milestone was the double-gold performance of rookie Jecel Vivas in the two hurdle races. Usually held on separate days, the 18-year-old from Tanauan, Batangas, first captured the 400-meter hurdles in 1:01.19 before taking the 100-meter hurdles in 14.39 seconds.

Fellow Lady Tamaraw Marilou Caduyac (1:03.67) and De La Salle University’s Hannah Delotavo (1:04.28) finished second and third, respectively, in the longer event, while UST’s Lyka Miravalles (14.66) and DLSU’s Abcd Agamanos (14.68) completed the podium in the shorter race.

Vivas was consequently named Rookie of the Year, completing FEU’s sweep of the season’s accolades.

Rica Mae Balderama added another gold for the back-to-back champions in the long jump with 5.86 meters, ahead of Adamson University’s Diana Hurano (5.65 meters) and Agamanos (5.56 meters).

UST Lady Tracksters remained in second place with 242 points, while the DLSU Lady Green Tracksters rounded out the top three with 217.5 points.

As the birthplace of some of the Philippines’ greatest women athletes, FEU inspired Coach Hamero to maintain consistency at the helm.

“Sabi ko talaga na kapag ako nag-coach, itutuloy ko ‘yung legacy, because sila Elma Muros, Edna Punelas, and, lalo na, our Sprint Queen, Lydia De Vega, is from FEU, kaya angtaas na kaagad ng standard at legacy na iniwan nila. So, it was pressure at the same time, na I have to maintain that legacy,” said Hamero, a former champion Lady Tamaraw herself.

Gold remains elusive for FEU Men’s Track and Field team

FEU fell short in ending an eight-year title drought in UAAP Men’s Athletics as it finished in second place for the second straight year with 272.25 points. National University reclaimed the title it had ceded last year, pulling through the last three days of intense competition, while Season 87 Champion University of the Philippines slipped to third with 213.25 points.

UAAP Season 88 Athletics Championships
Women’s Division FEU Medalists

Edna Magtubo
5000m – Gold (New Meet Record)
10,000m – Gold
3000m Steeplechase – Silver

Susan Ramadan
800m – Gold
1500m – Gold
4x400m- Silver

Jecel Vivas
100m hurdles – Gold
400m hurdles – Gold
4x400m – silver
4x100m- Bronze

Ana Bhianca Espenilla
Javelin Throw – Gold

Rica Balderama
Long Jump – Gold

Nicole Kurt Diloy
5000m- Bronze
3000m – Bronze
1500m – Bronze

Rhealyn De Costa
Discus Throw- Silver
Shot Put – Bronze

Marilou Caduyac
400m hurdles – Silver
4x400m- Silver

Kaye Kayralyn Villanueva
4x400m- Silver

Antonette Jay Agullion
Heptathlon – Bronze

UAAP Season 88 Athletics Championships
Men’s Division FEU Medalists

Carlos T. De Imus
5,000m Race walk – Gold (New Meet Record)
10,000m Race walk – Silver (Surpassed Meet Record)

Alfrence A. Braza
10,000m – Silver
1500m – Gold

Ernie Calipay
High Jump – Gold

Joshua Bercasio
4x100m relay – Gold (New UAAP Record)

Ronel C. Juntilla
Decathlon – Silver

Gervickson Labora
800 meter – Silver Medal

Rolly Royo Jr.
Decathlon – Bronze