Thursday, October 23, 2008 Unigames football event gathers top varsity squads
ASIDE from reigning titlist University of St. La Salle and Nopsscea champion West Negros University, football fans in Dumaguete City are expected to witness top-caliber collegiate competition when the 2008 National University Games (Unigames) men's football competition reels off on October 24 at the Silliman University football field in the capital city of Negros Oriental.
Reigning UAAP champion Far Eastern University and NCAA titlist San Beda College lead the roster of teams from Metro Manila along with University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, and College of St. Benilde.
Also expected to see action are former Unigames champion University of Mindanao of Davao City, Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro City, as well as Iloilo's Central Philippine University and John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University and host squads Foundation University and Silliman University.
"The roster of participating teams this year definitely guarantees stiff competition," said former national team mainstay and RP team coach Norman Fegidero Jr. who told Sun.Star Bacolod Wednesday that he believes Bacolod teams will be at the forefront of the chase for this year's men's football crown in this annual event now considered as the official national sports event of the Commission on Higher Education (Ched).
Fegidero, who mentors the reigning NOPSSCEA champion West Negros University, said his lineup will be top-billed by former RP team campaigners midfielder Robert Cañedo, Joeven Bedic, and Lemuel Unabia, Siegfred Apurado, Allan Auman Jr., Vince Braga, Rhante Bayquin, Francisco Doniesa Jr., Mark Ferrer, Ryan Lerio, Ruffy Llorente, Gino Palomo, Jayme Poderoso, Jaylor Soriano, Jilsor Soriano, Camelo Tacusalme, Carlo Tacusalme, and keeper Irl Tomodos.
The Wesnecans will, however, miss the services of central defender and former Philippine Football Federation (PFF) National Men's Open best defender awardee Joel Ballo-allo who already played out his required number of playing years in the annual event.
The WNU squad leaves for Dumaguete City early Thursday. (HCV)
