DLSU again showed its sporting prowess among the 48 competing colleges from all over the country in the recently concluded 16th Philippine University Games (UniGames), last Oct. 24-28.
Lasallians athletes grabbed two top seed results and five runner-up finishes in the Philippine Sports Commission-organized event held in Roxas City, Capiz.
The Green Booters reigned over the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) via a 4-1 victory in the finals match-up, to take home the men’s football championship. It was a sweet revenge for Coach Hans Smit’s twelve.
“First of all the pitch, it was very difficult to play our football in that field especially since we are used to playing in a field like Rizal [Football Field]. The officials were also a challenge because they would always favor the Visayas teams. We just sucked it all up and played smart, followed coach’s instructions and we got lucky,” Goalkeeper Patrick Deyto shared.
The Green Booters also played three starters undermanned against tournament blackhorse Dipolog Memorial Medical Center in the semis match due to controversial red card calls in their previous match.
“Personally, I was very relieved since I was one of those involved in the controversy, but overall the team was very happy and the morale was very high as well… I think we acquired the winning mentality that we have been lacking, so this year hopefully we will be in the [UAAP] finals and win the whole thing,” Deyto added.
The Lady Tennisters, the back-to-back UAAP champion, also stomped class in the four-day tournament, earning a rightful consecutive UNIGAMES women’s crown as well.
“Of course it was great because we maintained to be unbeatable and the best,” said UAAP Rookie of the Year-turned MVP Regina Santiago.
The ladies in green and white proved to UAAP competitors in the tournament, like UST and Ateneo, that they are ready for the UAAP season.
Their counterparts also did not fail to impress; the Green Tennisters rendered another second best finish against rookie powerhouse National U, while the Lady Booters finished third after UST and tournament champions FEU.
Other Lasallian delegates also reaped honors for the University. The Green Tracksters ended up as bridesmaids after an intense track action behind top-seed FEU.
Meanwhile, reigning UAAP women’s chess champions led by veteran Akiko Suede and rookie MVP Jan Jodilyn Fronda wound up second place. On the opposite side, the young boys of Green Woodpushers’ Head Coach Randy Segarra finished a decent third runner-up.
