National kurash athlete, UAAP judo MVP Dither Tablan passes away at 23

National athlete and former UAAP judo most valuable player Dither Tablan passed away on Friday night.

He was 23.

University of Santo Tomas (UST) student publication The Varsitarian announced the news on Saturday, and was also confirmed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Rest in peace, Dither Tablan.

The UST judo legend passed away on Friday night, according to sources. Tablan, a two-time UAAP most valuable player and one of the most beloved Thomasian athletes, helped the UST Judokas score a 4-peat during his time with the team. pic.twitter.com/Zfo7GRAL2Q

— The Varsitarian (@varsitarianust) October 29, 2021

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

DITHER TABLAN
1998 - 2021

• National Kurash Athlete pic.twitter.com/wuvsCeTIvV

— Philippine Sports Commission (@psc_gov) October 30, 2021

According to reports, Tablan passed away due to cardiac arrest.

Tablan, a Sports and Wellness Management graduate, led UST to four straight judo championships during his time as a student-athlete. He was also a national athlete for kurash.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News