TKD, judo take centerstage in BBEAL

DESPITE the postponement of arnis competition, two combative sports kicks off the second semester action of the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League season 26.

Season host University of Baguio is a favourite to clinch the judo crown when they host the event on the 19th and 20th to defend their men and women’s crown.

Then the Cardinals face rival Saint Louis University in taekwondo where they defend in the men’s side even as their next door rival hopes to win the women’s side anew.

Softball will be the third event this weekend as it is scheduled to be played at the Benguet State University starting, however, on Friday until Sunday with University of the Cordilleras trying to impose their dominance in the sport after winning the title since BBEAL’s 19th season.

UB athletic director Ed Laureano is confident that UB will win more titles with its earlier victories in men’s table tennis and men’s badminton by wresting it from SLU.

With its five titles in the four titles in the first semester, UB is expected to get a total of 15 this year.

The fourth event to be played supposedly this weekend arnis has been moved to March 2-3 although at the same venue at the Pines City College, the BBEAL tournament committee decided Wednesday during its meeting.

SLU leads the pack after the first semester of play with wins in men’s and women’s volleyball, it’s third straight and first after 10 years, respectively, then the women’s titles in archery, chess, table tennis and badminton.

UC comes in next with five from men’s and women’s basketball, men’s archery and chess and the disputed sepak takraw title.

UB is third with four in men’s and women’s swimming as well as men’s badminton and table tennis.

SLU lost four titles last year in, all int he men’s side, namely: archery, badminton and table tennis in the men’s side and the women’s basketball title but finally won in women’s volleyball after seven years of drought.