La Salle aims for back-to-back overall dominance

De La Salle University is looking for a back-to-back general championship when the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 76 men’s basketball competitions begins on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“Last year’s experience [winning the general championships] revived the community. With the help of the alumni and other supporters of the team, we were able to give importance to all sports,” said to La Salle representative to the UAAP Board Henry Atayde.

In Season 75, La Salle collected 293 points to dethrone University of Santo Tomas (UST), which earned 277 points. La Salle won the women’s volleyball, women’s chess, table tennis, tae kwon do and tennis, and wound up second in men’s tae kwon do, swimming and table tennis, and women’s football and basketball.

UST ruled the men’s judo, table tennis, tae kwon do and chess, and women’s judo and beach volleyball.

“Our win also gives notice to other schools that we can beat UST, which held the general championship for a long time,” added Atayde.

The Growling Tigers, for their part, are raring to reclaim their title.

“We really felt bad when we didn’t win the general championship. It’s hard to predict. The competition is really tough, even the coaches can’t predict,” stressed UST Athletic Director Fr. Emerito de Sagon.

“We have to focus on every sport. We have new recruits like in athletics,” added de Sagon.

Rounding out last tear’s overall standings are No. 3 Ateneo de Manila University (205) followed by Far Eastern University (200), University of the Philippines (197), National University (161), University of the East (138) and Adamson University (102).

Emil C. Noguera

Read more :
  • PH pugs to see action in Asian Elite Championship
    The road to the country’s first ever Olympic gold medal continues as a young, five-man Philippine boxing team leaves on Sunday to take part in the Asian Elite Championships July 1 to 9 in A...
  • Rafael Nadal defends Andy Murray
    Rafael Nadal has jumped the to the defence of Andy Murray after recent criticism over his back injury. The Scot struggled during his second-round win over Jarkko Nieminen during the French...
  • Ravens swoop for revenge win over Patriots
    FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts - The Baltimore Ravens won their AFC title rematch against the New England Patriots, using a commanding second-half display to pull away for a 28-13 triumph on Sun...