LAST year's losing finalist West Negros University repeated its mastery of De La Salle University last Saturday when it demolished the Taft Avenue booters, 5-0, at the Silliman University football field in Dumaguete City.

It was the second day of the elimination round of the ongoing 2008 National University Games (Unigames) centerpiece men's football competition.

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The Wesnecans, mentored by former RP team mainstay and ex-national team head coach Norman Fegidero, fashioned the one-sided victory with Joeven Bedic posting a hat trick with goals in the 13th, 39th, and 47th minutes while Ryan Lirio scored a double in the 15th and 50th minutes to complete the rout.

DLSU is mentored by former RP team coach Hans Smit.

Meanwhile, reigning Unigames titlist University of St. La Salle, mentored by former RP team coach Freddie Lazarito, likewise posted its initial elimination round win, 4-2, at the expense of Dipolog Medical Center College.

The men's football roster this year is an indication that competition could be as tough as it can be when teams like UAAP reigning champion Far Eastern University and NCAA titlist San Beda College are also entered in the series.

Other big names seeing action are the University of the Philippines and former Unigames champion University of Mindanao of Davao City as well as co-hosts Silliman University and Foundation University, Central Philippine University of Iloilo City, and Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro City.

WNU posted win no. 2 Sunday with a 2-0 whitewashing of former UAAP champion University of Santo Tomas getting goals from Siegfred Apurado in the 15th and Bedic in the 40th.

The Wesnecans are bracketed in Group B along with UST, DLSU, and FU while defending champion USLS is in Group C together with Xavier U, San Beda, and Dipolog Medical Center College.

Group A includes CPU, SU, FEU, and St. Benilde.

The Wesnecans are the reigning NOPSSCEA (Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural & Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) champions. (HCV)

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