Saturday, October 28, 2006 WNC, USLS dispute football title in 2006 Unigames By Henry C. Villalva
IT WILL be a rematch of last year's championship duel Saturday when defending champion University of St. La Salle and last year's losing finalist West Negros College clash anew for the championship crown of the 2006 11th National University Games (Unigames) men's football event at 3:00 p.m. at the USLS pitch.
The USLS booters, mentored by Ramon Janeo, nipped a sluggish De La Salle University side, 1-0, in Friday's first semis at the Paglaum Sports Complex field courtesy of a breakaway goal by prolific striker Floriano Pacilan who squeezed past three defenders to score in the 40th minute.
In contrast, WNC, mentored by former RP team mainstay Norman Fegidero, Jr., struggled with a 1-1 deadlock in the first half before it unleashed four unanswered precision-type markers to underscore its offensive savvy in the 5-1 victory.
An in-from Siegfred Apurado broke the ice in the 16th minute with a neat header in front of the left post from a pass by Ruffy Llorente while diminutive Michael Pacite caught WNC keeper Earl Tomodos off guard as he volleyed the equalizer for UNO-R in the 40th minute.
But it was all WNC from then on as the Recoletos defense melted in the face of WNC's offensive onslaught resulting in goals by Allan Auman in the 59th and 63rd, Erose Casaya in the 70th and Robert Cañedo in the 79th.
UNO-R plays DLSU in the battle for third place at 10:00 a.m., at the USLS pitch, according to tournament manager and Negros Occidental Football Association (NOFA) deputy general secretary Warren Concepcion.
Meanwhile, the DLSU women's squad mentored by Hans Smith claimed its ninth Unigames title Friday afternoon after defeating UAAP rival University of Sto. Tomas, 2-0, sweeping their scheduled matches to win the title it first won in 1996.
DLSU's other titles came from 1999 to 2005. Fredrick Jan Serios scored the lone goal in USLS' men's football championship victory over perennial rival WNC last year.
(October 28, 2006 issue) Write letter to the editor. Click here. Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
