EXPECT another tight race between University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University for the general championship of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
The Growling Tigers, who topped last year’s race, currently lead in the senior overall race, but are only ahead by two points over the Green Archers at the end of the Season 78 first semester action.
UST finished the first semester with a runner-up finish in men’s basketball to bring its total so far to 155 points in the unofficial tally to stay in the hunt for a record-setting 41 general championships.
The Tigers also took the titles in the combat sports of men’s taekwondo, poomsae and women’s judo events.
They also placed second in men’s beach volleyball, women’s taekwondo, men’s judo and men’s table tennis, while placing third in women’s table tennis.
La Salle is running second with 153 points behind championship runs in women’s beach volleyball, men’s and women’s table tennis.
The Archers wound up second in men’s badminton and men’s swimming, and finished third in women’s basketball, women’s badminton, men’s and women’s taekwondo.
They also emerged runners-up in poomsae, men’s judo and women’s swimming.
Running third is Ateneo with 140 points as it rode on its title conquests in men’s beach volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and men’s judo.
The Blue Eagles took runner-up trophies in women’s basketball and women’s badminton, and placed third in men’s basketball, women’s beach volleyball and men’s badminton.
Banking on women’s badminton’s successful title defense, University of the Philippines is at fourth with 115 points, while Far Eastern University, which ruled the men’s basketball tournament, has 90 points to be at fifth place.
National University, which completed perfect seasons in women’s basketball and men’s badminton, is at No. 6 with 84 points, while University of the East copped its first-ever men’s taekwondo crown and has 82 points in seventh spot.
Adamson, which failed to achieve podium finishes in any sport in the first semester, tallied 38 points in last place.
Second semester action begins with the volleyball tournament tentatively set on Jan. 30.
