Competing versus various colleges and universities, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazers and Lady Blazers triumphed in their respective sports nabbing gold, silver and bronze medals, in the 24th UNIGAMES 2019, held from October 19 to 27, in Iloilo City.
The Philippine University Games (UNIGAMES) is a national collegiate sports competition in the Philippines organized by the UNIGAMES Incorporated. Founded in 1996, it was first held at the University of St. La Salle, in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, being its founding host. For the 24th UNIGAMES, which was hosted by the University of San Agustin, over 30 schools and universities participated and competed.
The UNIGAMES is composed of 14 sports disciplines namely Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Chess, Lawn Tennis, Sepak Takraw, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, and Beach Volleyball. However, the College’s teams only participated in Women’s Basketball, Men’s & Women’s Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, Track & Field, and Men’s Football.
The following awards were bagged by Benildean athletic teams:
Women’s Basketball Division: Gold
DLS-CSB vs Enderun College [64-58]
Head Coach – Karl Santos
Assistant Coaches – Jacob Manlapaz & Aaron Umlas
Players: Nesa Antiquiera, Bernadeth Boneo, Lovely Bueno, Angelica Gerner, Rhyla Guerrero, Dale Millare, Rica Parungao, Cristal Ocampo, Jean Razo, Shy Sigua, Jin Zuñiga
Men’s Volleyball Division: Gold
DLS-CSB vs DLSU-Manila [25-21, 25-19, 25-22]
Head Coach: Aaron Velez
Assistant Coaches: Joseph Alipo-on, Arnold Laniog, Jose Roque
Players: Roniey Adviento, Franz Almonte, Owen Bacani, Ryan Daculan, Joshua De Sequera, Bryan Dumaran, Ajian Dy, Cholo Fajardo, Baron Gabuyan, Georgie Gauani, Gio Jordan, James Laguit, Kevin Magsino, Reiven Valera
Women’s Volleyball Division: Silver
DLS-CSB vs DLSU-Manila [17-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-17, 12-15]
Head Coach: Jerry Lee
Assistant Coach: Charmaine Geronimo
Players: Klarisa Abriam, Jay Joseph Chua, Michelle Gamit, Jade Gentapa, Francis Mycah Go, Jewel Lai, Christine Danielle Lim, Kaila Gabrielle Miranda, Cloanne Mondañedo, Marites Pablo, Jhasmin Gayle Pascual, Janella Sulit, Jeanelle Ann Tumang, Chelsea Anne Umali, Diane Ventura
Women’s Beach Volleyball: Bronze
Head Coach: Jerry Yee
Assistant Coach: Charmaine Geronimo
Players: Maria Charmilotte Cortey, Felicia Marie Cui, Jan Arianne Daguil
On the other hand, the Benilde Trackers garnered bronze. The following athletes received individual awards for their participation in track and field:
Head Coach: Joseph Sy
Assistant Coaches: Junrey Bano, Michael Torchiva
4x200m Relay (time: 1:30.5s) – Silver
Players: Kenmmar Alolosan, Amiel Ferrer, Ivan Manjares, Christian Señora
4x100m Relay – Silver
Players: Amiel Clyde Ferrer, Ivan Manjares, Gerard Nepomuceno, Christian Señora
Javelin Throw Division (51.90m) – Gold
Player: Christian Ampong
Champion in the 100 meters Division (time: 11:04s) – Gold
Player: Ivan Manjares
Champion in the Long Jump Division (6.96m) – Gold
Player: Rogil Pablo
2nd Runner-up in the 800 meters Division (1:57.5s) – Bronze
Player: Louie Agua
In an interview with The Benildean, Men’s Volleyball Most Valuable Player (MVP) Roniey Adviento mentioned his gratitude for God’s presence in their journey during the sports competition.
Despite the lacking presence of his teammate Ruvince Abrot, who is recovering from knee injuries, he and his team managed to reach the finals and claim the top seed.
“At first, napunta sa akin ang pressure dahil nawala ‘yung ka-diagonal ko pagdating sa puntusan, so kailangan ko mag-step up to boost the team and to encourage [them] na kaya namin lumaban kahit kulang kami,” he said.
Adviento also thanked his seniors, Aijan Dy and Kevin Magsino, for their effort to win the championship.
Some of the schools which competed in the 24th UNIGAMES include University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University (Manila and Dasmarinas), National University, Arellano University, Mapua University, and host University of San Agustin.
