LYCEUM of the Philippines University continued its remarkable run last weekend, sweeping both its matches in impressive fashion to book a seat in the women’s division quarterfinals of the MVPSF-Meralco Philippine Taekwondo League at SM Muntinlupa.
Drawing huge performances from mainstays Alexandra Gimena and Aideleen Flores, the Lady Pirates swamped Letran, 46-11, and San Sebastian College, 37-22, to top Group A with four wins in the competition sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and Meralco.
The eliminated San Sebastian jins closed out their campaign with their first victory after three setbacks in dumping their Letran counterparts, 35-20, in the event also backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.
“We displayed more cohesion on attack and defense,” noted Lyceum mentor Brix Ramos. “But we have to work harder if we aim to advance beyond the knockout quarterfinal round.”
Fighting against Letran’s Camille Cornejo in the first match, Gimena staked Lyceum to a 7-2 lead before Flores took over in the fifth and final encounter of the opening round in pounding Aerielle Ang to pad the Lady Pirates’ lead, 38-6, on the way to the breezy victory.
The two Lyceum warriors also conspired in erecting a 26-13 lead over San Sebastian in the first round before allowing their teammates in mopping up their opponents in the tag phase.
Relying on tall and lanky Ivan Ilas, Letran also posted a sweep of its matches in Group B of the junior men’s division, clobbering San Beda College of Alabang, 43-25, while fashioning a close 30-26 decision over San Sebastian in the meet serving as a breeding ground for taekwondo talent for international play.
San Sebastian bounced back by holding off SBCA, 37-36, despite the heroic efforts of Lorenzo Cadiz in the tag round for the SBCA Red Cubs, who trailed,24-30, at one point.