Cebuana Rinna Babanto powered De La Salle to its second title in three years in the UAAP Season 81 poomsae tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym on Nov. 6.
Babanto capped her collegiate career in spectacular fashion, winning the gold in the individual female and mixed pair events, helping the Green Jins in bringing back the crown to Taft.
A former world champion, Babanto tallied 8.180 to best her fellow Asian Games bronze medalists Nikki Oliva of University of the Philippines (8.100) and Juvenile Faye Crisostomo of Far Eastern University (7.900).
Babanto then teamed up with Patrick Perez in annexing the mixed pair gold with 8.235, topping University of Santo Tomas’ Jerel Dalida and Cyrinne Abenir (8.200) and UP’s Jayboy Buenavista and Pat Jubelag (8.015).
De La Salle completed gold medal sweep of individual events courtesy of Perez, who emerged victorious in the men’s category with 8.305. UST’s Adrian Ang bagged the silver with 8.150 while National University’s Kier Macalino took the bronze with 8.035.
Babanto got the sweet exit that she deserves by becoming the league’s first-ever poomsae MVP, while Perez bagged the Rookie of the Year honors.
“Oh my God, hindi ko po ini-expect. Sobra,” said Babanto, who will represent the country in the World Poomsae Championships next week. (PR)