Blue Eagles, Lady Falcons in big UniGames start

MANILA, Philippines—Seeking redemption for its woeful stint last year, the Ateneo Blue Eagles went off to a flying start in the 16th Philippine Sports Commission-University Games with a 90-50 whipping of Filamer Christian University Monday in Roxas City, Capiz.

Expectations of another title triumph are high for the UAAP “four-peat” champions after men’s titlist National University and runner-up Adamson University begged off from the annual showcase of top collegiate athletes in the country.

Standing in Ateneo’s way to the crown are St. Francis of Assisi College and Bacolod’s West Negros University.

Defending women’s basketball champion Adamson also won with plenty to spare on Sunday after crushing College of St. Benilde, 87-69, while National U scored a second straight victory with a 100-58 demolition of Holy Cross Davao.

St. Louis University kept pace with NU, cashing in on University of Mindanao’s late collapse in a 47-43 victory.

Other results in men’s basketball saw Ateneo de Davao tear down Foundation University, 82-65, and Holy Cross Davao pull off a 68-59 escape act over Iloilo Doctors College.

Foundation U prevailed in men’s volleyball at the expense of John B. Lacson Maritime Foundation U, 25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 25-21, while Holy Cross Davao, DMMA College of Southern Philippines, University of St. La Salle and Iloilo Doctors also posted opening-day victories.

In table tennis, Xavier University topped La Salle, 3-1; JBLMF swept CPC, 3-0; and VMA Global College beat Holy Angel University, 3-1.

CPC bounced back in sepak takraw by downing VMA Global College while Central Philippine University beat University of St. La Salle, 2-0, in lawn tennis.

PSC chair Richie Garcia, who graced the opening ceremonies, announced that the UniGames will be the official tertiary competition of the government sports agency for its grassroots program.