Bracing for Uaap
Tancontian siblings training hard
AFTER their five-day vacation in Davao City, the Tancontian siblings, Sydney and Chino of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), will brace for another judo action when the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (Uaap) Season 80 opens on November 11 at De La Salle University (DLSU) Zobel.
Sydney and Chino, children of former national team mainstay Paolo, arrived in Davao City last October 31 to spend the holidays with their family and visit the grave of their grandfather Antonio "Nonoy" Tancontian.
They will return to Manila on November 4 to prepare for the Uaap meet.
The 2017 South East Asian (SEA) Games bronze medalist Sydney, who first won the UAAP title last year against a Far Eastern University (FEU) opponent via ippon, will defend her title in the women’s senior division while his younger brother Chino, a national team member of judo and wrestling, will make his debut appearance in men’s junior division in a still undetermined division.
"Nag ma-mindset na po for the upcoming competition and ready na po ako," Sydney said in a Facebook interview with Sun.Star Davao yesterday.
The 17-year-old blackbelt, however, kept her feet on the ground despite having a SEA Games bronze to her name.
"Yung pagkapanalo ko po in Seag, nakakatulong po siya na iboost yung morale ko pero I do not feel superior at all po kasi nagtratraining rin po kaming lahat ng rigid and we are all preparing for this season," Sydney said.
Chino said competing in Uaap is a fulfillment but winning a gold is something special.
"One of my dreams ay makakuha po ng gold medal sa UAAP kasi po isa ito sa mga malalakas ng tournament in the Philippines," the 16-year-old purplebelt said, adding that his stint is also dedicated to his family, his coaches and to the school.
He went on saying, "Malaki po ang chance ko mag gold and medyo malaki po confidence ko sa laro ko the past weeks po," the younger Tancontian said.
He also shared that they have been training in Manila for the upcoming tournament.
"Isa rin po sa reason na umuwi kami ni ate Syd para po maguide ni papa (Paolo) at maka pag study technique with papa po," Chino said.