La Salle dominates URCC-University Challenge

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle won all but one of its four fights to dominate the Colt 45-Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) University Challenge 2011 at One Esplanade in Pasay City recently.

Meeshal Al Khuzeem highlighted La Salle’s mighty show by scoring a referee- stopped contest (RSC) over Jet Herminda of Technological Institute of the Philippines in the second of their three-round, five-minute catchweight bout.

Other winners for La Salle were Jojo Tabang, who stopped Edgar Panaguiton of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila by armbar in the second round of their pinweight tussle, and JR Rulloda, who beat Ronald Castro of New Era College via a tap out. UE’s Mathew Palomar, meanwhile, foiled La Salle’s sweep bid as he stunned Robert Tan.

The event is presented presented by Colt 45 and backed by Tribal Gear, with Solar Sports, Rogue Magazine, 99.5rt, Synermaxx, TFC Bro Channel, and Pinoy Extreme Channel as media partners.

Robin Pajantoy, another fighter from UE, also scored a unanimous decision over Jonie Cinco of PMI while Jose Rizal University’s Dame Mielle DeVela and Leo Llamas bested their respective rivals in the event supported by Frenzy Condoms, Yoshinoya, VRP Medical Center and Chris Sport.

Llamas posted the fastest win in the 16-fight event, knocking out Jordan Lapid of Fatima University in just 16 seconds, 12 seconds quicker than the armbar victory of Regina Carmeli’s Fadi Alhamoui’s over Jessie Jurial.

Other winners were Jerome Concepcion of CCM-Manila, Paolo Borillo of Baptist Bible College, Alvin Solinap of Perpetual, Roland Dy of Lyceum, Mark Samar of Pamantasan ng Marikina, Carlo Laurel of West Bay College and Carlos Aljama of Pamantasan ng Muntinlupa.

URCC president Alvin Aguilar said the event was held to further promote mixed martial arts and for the sport to finally gain recognition and be included in the sports calendar of various collegiate leagues in the country.

“By staging this event, we hope that more universities and colleges will establish their own MMA club so that the sport will become part of their sports calendar,” said Aguilar.

So far, only La Salle, Ateneo and University of the Philippines have an official MMA club.