Thursday, October 19, 2006 16 teams sign up for Unigames '06 football By Henry C. Villalva
AT LEAST 16 squads have already confirmed participation in this year's National University Games (Unigames) men's football competition, according to Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) deputy general secretary Warren Concepcion.
Concepcion, who played varsity football with the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, was tapped to act as tournament manager for football during the weeklong competition.
Football matches are to be staged at both the University of St. La Salle pitch and at the Paglaum Sports Complex in order to accommodate matches in both men's and women's division.
Defending men's titlist University of St. La Salle remains a favorite to retain its crown in this annual event following its successful defense of its Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) men's open title at the expense of arch rival West Negros College.
Expected to lead the USLS tile-retention campaign this year are national men's open MVP Arnie Pasinabo, a member of the RP national squad that campaigned in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), national men's open best midfielder Jayson Panhay, as well as prolific striker Floriano Pacilan, the reigning of the NOFA men's open provincial championship.
But the host La Salle side will be missing the services of ace goalkeeper Archie Bayquin whom the squad lost to graduation. Avid USLS followers believe the absence of Bayquin, the best goalkeeper awardee of the 2006 Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Men's Open Finals last February was a crucial factor in the team's recent setbacks.
Bayquin, known to is teammates and opponents alike for his composure while guarding the goal, decided not to try out for a possible slot in the national squad that will see action in the November 12-20 AFF Cup (formerly Tiger Cup) qualifying matches here in Bacolod City.
Expected to crowd USLS for top honors in the Unigames tournament are local rivals WNC and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos as well as visiting teams from Dumaguete, Iloilo, Cebu and Davao, among others.
NOFA, headed by Representative Carlos O. Cojuangco (fourth district, Negros Occidental), looks at the Unigames football competition as part of activities drumming up public attention for the forthcoming AFF Cup.
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