DEFENDING champion Ateneo and other UAAP squads University of Santo Tomas, Adamson and University of the East streaked to their second straight victories to hold fort in the 17th Sandugo University Games in Bacolod City.
Fielding players mostly from their reserve team, the Blue Eagles still had too much firepower in pulling off an emphatic 94-67 victory over Holy Cross Davao College in Group A play at Bacolod Tay Tung High School Gym.
With Kiefer Ravena and Juami Tiongson hitting big shots, the Eagles recovered their bearings after Holy Cross came within 50-54 midway in the third period.
The Tigers, fueled by the solid play of UAAP finals veterans Kevin Ferrer and Aljon Mariano, dumped Ateneo de Davao, 101-79, at the WNU Gym, while University of the East continued to impress with a 102-66 demolition of University of San Agustin of Iloilo.
The Falcons played with ferocity on both ends of the floor and came away with a 98-63 win over John B. Lacson Maritime University.
Adamson also notched its second win in women’s basketball after turning back Lyceum, 89-76, even as UST bounced back with a 66-54 win over Rizal Technological U.
There were mixed results for UAAP squads on other fronts on the second day of the week-long event also sponsored by Smart.
UST failed to dodge the upset ax in men’s volleyball at University of St. La Salle Covered Courts, where it yielded to St. Benilde, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18, 18-25, 16-14. Adamson also dropped a 19-25, 25-20, 18-25, 25-17, 13-15 decision to Iloilo Doctors College.
In women’s volleyball at Nompac court, Far Eastern U, Adamson and University of the Philippines made light work of their rivals.
Adamson trounced University of Mindanao, 25-11, 25-18, 25-12, while FEU rolled past Central Philippine U, 23-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-19. Ateneo walloped Ateneo de Davao, 25-7, 25-18, 25-15.
Men’s football action at the UNO-R pitch saw defending champion La Salle and UP battle to a scoreless draw. Host USLS routed RTU, 5-0, for its second win at North field.
Meanwhile, the three-day athletics competition ruled last year by FEU gets going at Panaad Park and Stadium. Cedelf P. Tupas