๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ
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Team Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) managed to clinch 35 gold medals, up by nine from last yearโs yield of 26, in the SCUAA III Regional Games hosted by Pampanga State Agricultural University on 23โ28 February.
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Amassing a total of 96 medals, TAU also secured a spot in the overall top 5 ranking out of 14 state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Central Luzon. This marks a repeat of its 2023 achievement, when it entered the same elite circle during the return of the SUC III Olympics after the pandemic, an event TAU hosted.
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Leading the Carabaos was Team Athletics, which seized 27 first-place finishes. TAUian archers also contributed five gold medals, while the other three were earned in Chess (2) and Arnis (1).
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โI am grateful for the hard work, patience, and perseverance each athlete, coach, and trainer has put into their respective events,โ TAU President Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson said. He also stated that the achievement was a testament to the fact that even small universities like TAU, with just about 5,000 tertiary students, could compete with the giants in collegiate sports tournaments.
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Sports Development Office (SDO) Director Dr. Emerson B. Cuzzamu was also jubilant. โWe are so happy with the results. Our athletes exerted so much effort, especially during the preparation stage, while also busily complying with their academic requirements,โ Dr. Cuzzamu remarked. He also recognized all the coaches, trainers, and support staff who had helped them surpass their previous records.
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๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ค๐๐ซ๐ฌ
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Proving that TAUians are unstoppable in track and field, the TAU athletics team shattered the decades-long record of Bulacan State University (BulSU) as overall champion in the Athletics Womenโs Division after capturing 21 gold medals.
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Most Valuable Player Maria Dolores T. Pascua swept the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes, while Asian Duathlon champion Merry Joy I. Trupa triumphed in the 1,500m and 3,000m runs. Kristel Joy T. Natividad claimed gold in the 100m and 400m hurdles, Elaine Y. Quismundo added another gold in the 10,000m run, and Lorraine C. Sabado won the Javelin Throw. TAUโs Womenโs 4x400m Relay (Jem-Jem Garcia, Pascua, Trupa, and Natividad) and Classical Relay Women (Pascua, Natividad, Garcia, Trupa) completed the golden sweep, showcasing their dominance.
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Meanwhile, the Menโs Athletics team settled for overall third place, taking six gold medals. Benjamin V. Pascasio claimed gold in the Triple Jump, while Mark Joshua E. Padaca triumphed in the High Jump.
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Both divisions of mixed relay teams claimed gold medals in a stunning display of teamwork and speed. The 4x100m Mixed Relay team, John Dave T. Padilla, Pascua, Pascasio, and Natividad, sprinted to victory with flawless coordination. Meanwhile, the 4x400m Mixed Relay team, featuring Ezra King P. Manansala, Aljone S. Doctor, Garcia, and Trupa, delivered another golden performance.
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Head coach Mr. Jan Kevin H. Binuya attributed this achievement to the effective recruitment of players, year-long training, and dedication of TAUians to bringing honor and glory to their Alma Mater. โWeโre doing this for TAU. I know our athletes are exhausted, but their passion for sports is much bigger than their doubts and fears,โ Mr. Binuya conveyed. He also expressed his gratitude to his fellow coaches and trainers: Mr. Tommy B. Balbuena, Mr. Mark V. Mendoza, Ms. Marielle E. Tinga, and Mr. Jett Andrew B. Tolin.
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๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐จ๐ค๐๐ง
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TAUโs Archery team also delivered gold to the Universityโs medal vault. Despite numerous challenges faced by the team such as lack of preparation time as the equipment just arrived two weeks before the competition and the playersโ health condition during the games, Ms. Mary Rose O. Bantog, Archery coach, shared that the team never surrendered and just continued hitting target rings. Aside from the medal in mixed category which World University Games (WUG)-qualifier Alyssa R. Felipe secured with John Aaron V. Ambat, Felipe also earned three more gold medals in individual rounds.
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Two gold medals were also claimed by TAUโs Chess players. Rainier B. Valdez and Francis Kim F. Malong who both lorded over their peers in their respective divisions. Chess coach Mr. Mark August E. Febrera mentioned that with seven out of 10 team members being newcomers, gaining experience and maintaining composure under pressure was crucial for future tournaments. The team was also trained by Mr. Julius C. Consul and Arch. Alvin Dela R.Vega.
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For the second time, TAU also made its indelible mark in Arnis after Jeng Jeng D. Baldado triumphed in the Heavyweight Division, Live Stick Category. Arnis coach Mr. Joshua Adriel S. Villanueva shared that challenges such as players taking training lightly or struggling to apply techniques affected their chances of getting into the finals. To remedy this, Mr. Villanueva cited a plan for future rigorous training to compete with powerhouse SUCs involving his colleagues Mr. Ruben Evangelista and Ms. Erika R. Prado
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๐๐ก๐๐ญ'๐ฌ ๐ง๐๐ฑ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ฌ?
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In preparation for the 2025 SCUAA National Games at Guimaras State University (GSU) and the 2026 SCUAA III Regional Games at Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), SDO Assistant Director Dr. Angelo P. Guillermo relayed some of the Universityโs plans. These include monitoring student-athletesโ classes to support their academic performance, capacity building and enhancement for coaches through national clinics, and logistical preparations at GSU, such as accommodations and transportation, given the unfamiliar location.
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Dr. Guillermo emphasized that no sport is prioritized, as all are treated equally. โThe SDO, headed by Dr. Cuzzamu and with the support and guidance of Dr. Salunson, is going to implement programs to maintain its records and is currently crafting a proposed coaching program to enhance coachesโ roles in improving athletesโ performance in local and international competitions,โ Dr. Guillermo told the Information Unit.
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Article | Information Unit
Photos | Information Unit and TAU The Golden Harvest
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