MANILA – National University ruled the women's and high school divisions in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 taekwondo tournament at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Thursday.

The Lady Bulldogs bagged six gold medals to regain the title since winning four straight (Seasons 79 to 82).

After a 6-1 victory over University of the Philippines, NU clobbered University of Santo Tomas, 6-1, to complete a perfect season.

"I am so proud of our women's team," NU taekwondo program head Carlos Padilla said.

The Lady Bulldogs were runners up to the Tiger Jins the last two seasons.

Bantamweight Veronica Garces was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).

"We didn't think about our runner-up finish last year. We really aimed for a championship," the 25-year-old Garces, who is finishing her master’s degree in health and physical education, said.

"I am so thankful to my teammates for trusting me. Entering this season, we were confident that we can get the championship," she added.

UST, bannered by last season's MVP Laizel Abucay, finished second with a 4-1 record, followed by La Salle (3-2), led by Dhivine Lerado who bagged the Rookie of the Year award.

Meanwhile, NU-Nazareth defended the high school title after beating UST, 4-1. John Angelo Pascual took the MVP plum.

FEU-Diliman overpowered De La Salle-Zobel, 5-0, to settle for third.

De La Salle swept the men's division to claim its first title since Season 76 (2013) and ninth overall.

"We are very proud of them even because they really worked hard and their fighting spirit, it all paid off. We're so happy that we got the championship," a Salle coach Kirstie Alora, who competed at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, said.

Johnson Rosario, who hails from Tagum City, Davao del Norte, won the MVP trophy.

Rookie of the Year Kenneth Buenavides and last year's MVP Nusair Lao spearheaded NU, which placed second with a 4-1 record. UST was third (3-2). (PNA)