Defending champion University of St. La Salle-Ceres football team beat National University, 1-0, in the quarterfinals to remain undefeated and advanced into the semifinals of the 19th Philippine University Games at Barotac Nuevo Football Field.

Freshman Charles Barbaran scored the winning goal to secure the semifinals seat where they will have a re-match against NU, 1 p.m. today at the Central Philippine University Football Field in Iloilo City. NU earned the right to challenge the undefeated St. La Salle team after they registered the best second finish in quarterfinals.

In the other semifinal match, San Beda College will face College of St. Benilde.

With his first eleven composed mostly of college freshmen, La Salle – Ceres head coach Freddie “Nene” Lazarito said he always reminds the players to keep their focus and do their task according to the role assigned to them.

“This is a rookie-laden transition team as most of the players from the champion squad last year had graduated. The players have a lot to learn but they are giving their best in every game,” Lazarito said.

The La Salle – Ceres football team is the lone survivor among the Bacolod City-based schools competing in the UniGames as the West Negros University – STI Mustangs, UNO-R Rams, and USLS Stingers, dropped their respective quarterfinal assignment yesterday in men’s basketball.

The Mustangs yielded to College of St. Benilde, 58-75, while the Rams were no match against the Keiffer Ravena-led Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 58-89. The Stingers failed to advance into the semis after absorbing a 53-74 defeat in the hands of Hercor College from Capiz.

In badminton, the USLS men’s team lost their crown to De La Salle University and settled for first runner-up honors, while the women’s squad, who ended up at third place was dethroned by Adamson University.

The St. La Salle men and women’s volleyball teams also missed the top four seats after bowing to separate rivals in the quarterfinals.

Women’s volleyball semifinals will start today at 9 a.m. between National University and Adamson University followed by the St. Benilde against DLSU match-up.

In chess, St. Benilde captured the gold medal in men’s division as Lyceum of the Philippines University grabbed the silver and last year’s champion DLSU, the bronze.

The DLSU women’s chess team, however, retained their gold medal with USLS also keeping the silver, while Rizal Technological University picked up the bronze.

In men’s karatedo (team kumite) La Salle University – Ozamiz won the event and relegated to second place last year’s champion Holy Angel University, as CPU booked the third place.

Cebu City-based University of San Jose – Recoletos is this year’s champion in women team kumite with CPU sliding to No. 2 in the final ranking and La Salle – Ozamiz at No. 3.

San Beda College dominated the swimming competition and was crowned this year’s champion in both the men and women’s division. St. Benilde took the silver in both categories while Iloilo City-based John B. Lacson Foundation Memorial University finished third.*NAB

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