By Angel Joyce C. Basa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Jins and Lady Jins squandered a chance at a podium in the poomsae events, while their male junior counterpart clinched a Finals berth in kyorugi in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 taekwondo tournament opening yesterday, April 21, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum in Manila City.

The green-and-gold team failed to secure a medal across all divisions of the poomsae events, finishing at last place of the collegiate standing.

During the tournament, Morayta-based Jin Benedict Dayag and Lady Jin Phoebe Jubelag participated in the individual seniors division, while Nick Pascua and Evol Millares partook in the collegiate mixed pair.

Meanwhile, Jubelag, Millares, and Jasel Salang competed in the women’s collegiate team division, while Dayag, Emmanuel Alvarez, and Justin Ocañada represented FEU as the men counterparts.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, Lady Jin Salang shared that she felt satisfied but not content with the glum result of missing a podium appearance. 

“I feel satisfied po kasi (because) I know [that] we gave our best and we’re eager to win, but we’re not content po since we didn’t make it to the podium. But this won’t stop us to grind harder and show what kind of athletes we are because we always say na ‘walang umaayaw na Tamaraw’ (‘no Tamaraw says no’),” she said.

Despite the outcome, Jubelag also stated how this will serve as a motivation to do well in training and in the coming seasons.

“Para sa mga nakapag-medal po, sigurado akong mas gagalingan pa nila lalo sa next season at sa national games. At para naman sa amin na hindi naka-medal, this will serve as motivation para bumawi at mas magsipag pa sa training (Those who got medals, I’m sure that they will continue to do well especially in the next seasons and in the national games. For us without medals, this will serve as a motivation to bounce back and work hard in training),” she shared.

Debuting in the poomsae freestyle program, FEU secured three silvers and one bronze medal across the individual, pair, and team divisions.

Team captain Caryl Fernandico and Jay-R Casas bagged silver medals apiece in the individual competition, while Jocelle Oxina and Cedrick Runas obtained a bronze as a pair.

In the team division, Fernandico, Oxina, Casas, Runas, and Justin Ocañada acquired FEU’s third silver award in the newly added category.

National University claimed the overall championship title with four gold and two bronze finishes, while University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University placed as runners-up in the regular poomsae program, respectively.

As for FEU-Diliman, Junior Jins Josh Pinacatan, Jayar Cruza, and Elisha Baquial advanced to the final round after opening the high school boys’ kyorugi event.

With three players advancing, Cruza shared that the team shares one goal as they approach the finals.

”Iisa ‘yung goal namin, kaya bawat laban ginagawa namin para sa isa’t isa. Gagawin ko lang ‘yung role ko at ibibigay ko lahat ng kaya ko. Gusto naming tapusin ‘to nang maayos at sabay-sabay [na] gumawa ng history para sa team (We all have one goal, that is why every fight we do is for each other. I will do my role and give it my all. We want to end this properly and make history together for the team),” he said.

FEU will continue with the remaining kyorugi events on April 22 to 23, while the all-finals round commences on Friday, April 24, at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)