UAAP names Marlon Avenido, Gian Berino Athletes of the Year

Source: Manila Times
Tae kwon do jin Marlon Avenido and swimmer Gian Berino of University of Santo Tomas (UST) were named Athletes of the Year in the senior and junior divisions of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 72.

Avenido led the UST men’s tae kwon do team’s back-to-back title romp and was hailed as Most Valuable Player (MVP).

He also competed in five major international tournaments including his silver medal exploits in the 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos and 1st Asian Martial Arts Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 21-year-old Avenido saw action in the prestigious World Tae kwon do Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, Southeast Asian Tae kwon do Championships in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and KA Open Tae kwon do Championships in South Korea.

Berino, on the other hand, is a three-time swimming MVP and a multigold medalist in Palarong Pambansa.

As expected, UST took its 37th general championship crown in the seniors division with a total of 305 points.

De La Salle University placed second with 252 points followed by Far Eastern University (229), Ateneo de Manila University (222), University of the Philippines (219), University of the East (172), Adamson University (101) and National University (45).

The UST Cubs grabbed the top spot in the juniors class—their 12th title overall.

During awarding ceremonies, Far Eastern University, led by outgoing UAAP President Anton Montinola, handed over the Season 73 hosting chores to De La Salle University, represented by incoming league President Bro. Bernie Oca.
Emil C. Noguera