FEU sweeps athletics, two other events

MANILA, Philippines – Far Eastern University sparkled in athletics, taekwondo and chess Friday in the Philippine Sports Commission-University Games at the Villareal Stadium in Roxas City, Capiz.

FEU unseated La Salle as men’s champion and frustrated nemesis University of Santo Tomas in the women’s side, cementing the dominance of the Morayta-based tracksters in athletics.

The Tamaraws finished with a gold-silver-bronze collection of 7-2-1 to the 3-4-3 of the Archers and the 3-3-3 of the Tigers.

In the women’s division, FEU wound up with a medal harvest of 9-5-5 to UST’s 5-6-7 and La Salle’s 2-0-0.

Jesson Ramil Cid capped FEU’s explosive performance with gold medals in the men’s 200 and 400 meters while teammate and national trackster Josie Malacad ruled the women’s 400m for her third gold in the week-long meet supported by Sandugo Sandals, Gatorade and Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion.

FEU amassed two gold, two silver and one bronze medals in women’s taekwondo in a tie for first with College of St. Benilde and UP Diliman, while CSB proved invincible in the men’s side by pocketing all seven golds.

Women’s chess also went to the FEU which compiled 20 points from 11 match points to nip La Salle (19.5). Central Philippines University wound up third.

CSB prevented an FEU double victory in chess by amassing 15.5 points over the Tams’ 13 after both finished with eight match points in the men’s division.

A day after extending its dominance in swimming, San Beda retained the table tennis crown by downing JB Lacson Maritime Foundation University in the men’s finals while UP Diliman grabbed the women’s plum at CSB’s expense.

Action in team sports shifted to high gear at presstime with UAAP champion Ateneo facing University of San Agustin and Western Negros University battling St. Francis of Assisi College in the men’s basketball semifinals.

The “four-peat” champion Blue Eagles had little trouble showing hometown favorite Hercor College the door, 88-71, while
WNU trounced Ateneo de Zamboanga, 77-51, and SFAC survived a gallant stand from University of St. La Salle with a 71-60 win.

Defending women’s basketball champion Adamson is the heavy favorite to a fifth title in its finals clash with CSB, which proved steadier during the crucial moments of its 59-49 victory over UP Diliman earlier.

Unbeaten in four games, Adamson drubbed St. Louis U, 88-46, in their quarterfinal match.

The stage is set for a Manila-Visayas championship showdown in women’s volleyball with USLS going up against CPU and UP Diliman meeting Adamson in the Final Four.

Three UAAP teams barged into the men’s volley semifinals with UST taking on National University and defending champion FEU facing USLS.