ASIAN taekwondo gold medalist Pauline Lopez fell short of the top spot in the UAAP, but is pleased to see the Ateneo team put up a solid performance.
Much was expected from the champion in the Asian taekwondo championships and Southeast Asian Games, but the Ateneo rookie is not disheartened.
[See Pauline Lopez wins Philippines' lone gold in Asian Taekwondo Championships]
Lopez won six matches before settling for the silver medal, bowing to Shiryl Badol of champion team National University.
"Iba talaga yung pressure dito. People are expecting from me, coming from a national team background," the Fil-Am player said.
"I lost one match. I won five out of six. (But) There's always room for improvement and it's a learning experience," said Lopez.
Still, the Lady Eagles wound up in third-place, a first podium finish in almost two decades.
The charming jin from California was pleased with the result of the Ateneo taekwondo team's effort to put the program back on the map.
"I know how big caliber competitions are. Pero here in the UAAP iba talaga, grabe, because it's not just individual, the whole team naka-support and depend on you in a good way. It's like a family."
"Most definitely, this is a good start. We're at the right place. There's no where else to go but up."
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