The General Championship (GC), which would be the ultimate testament to the University’s superb athletic program and likewise a fitting gift for a University celebrating its 100th year of existence, looms nearer than ever.
Perennial champion University of Santo Tomas (UST), however, is looking to spoil that celebration. If they once more win the overall crown, then it will be the 13th straight time that they have done so.
Perhaps the biggest irony is after seven athletic events, UST leads DLSU by 13 points in the race for the overall crown. Spearheaded by the triumph of the Green Jins, DLSU has compiled a total of 141 points in the partial tally, which is good enough for second place behind UST, which has 154 points to lead the pack.
Despite claiming the crown in only a single event, the University was able to keep in pace with the Espana-based institution because no Lasallian squad, except one team, finished lower than fifth. The University’s bid for the GC was fueled by its multiple bridesmaids finishes, including Women’s Beach Volleyball, Women’s Badminton, and the Table Tennis squads.
Not to be outdone are the Lady Tankers, Lady Jins and the Green and Lady Judokas who all bagged the third place in their respective events. Rounding out the finishes made by Lasallian teams this Season 73 are the Green and Lady Archers, Green Shuttlers and Green Tankers who finished fourth.
If the University manages to win the GC, it will be the first time that it has done so, as the school has never been general champion since joining the UAAP in 1986. La Salle, however, has tasted the over-all crown back when it was still in the NCAA, as it already has five NCAA General Championships.
The fight for overall champ is of course with various competitors as Far Eastern University is tied with University of the Philippines with 111 points in third, while Men’s Basketball and Men’s Judo champions Ateneo de Manila University (98 points), is trailed by University of the East and Adamson University, with 71 and 63 respectively, followed by the National University with a total of 33 points.
The 141 points compiled by DLSU is one of the highest that it has achieved during the first semester.
The winner of the GC trophy will be determined at the end of the second semester of events, which will include Football, Tennis, Volleyball, Track and Field, Softball, Baseball, Fencing and Chess.
The athletes of the first semester are now done, and follow-through is key to get the gold. The trophy is still up for grabs for the second portion of the season.
While the Tiger may still be wearing the yellow jersey, Season 73 host DLSU prowls ardently in the second spot. Though seemingly bleak, one dare not shut the doors on what might happen during the upcoming events in the race for the GC.
