A Strong Uni-Games Showing by the Blue & White

The Ateneo De Manila University sent seven of its teams to Bacolod for the 12th University Games that took place from October 22-28, 2007.

Some 42 universities and colleges from all over the country sent their athletes to Bacolod where the University of St. La Salle once more hosted the annual sporting event.

Of the seven Ateneo varsity teams that competed, five placed at least third in the standings.

In basketball, the Blue Eagles ran roughshod over the competition in their first six games before falling to Far Eastern University 59-67 in the championship. It was actually their worst game of the tournament as they came out flat while the Tamaraws flexing their muscles for next year’s UAAP campaign were firing on all cylinders. Prior to the championship, the Blue Eagles beat their foes by an average of 44 points per game.

In football, the Blue Booters lost in the semi-finals to De La Salle University 0-4 while the Lady Booters finished in third place. It was the highest ever placement for Ateneo Women’s football in team competition.

The men’s volleyball team failed to advance beyond the eliminations while the men’s and women’s lawn tennis teams and the men’s and women’s athletics teams finished at third place as well.

University Athletics Director Richard Palou said that he was very happy with the showing of our athletes. But he still felt that the Blue Eagles should have played better and maybe even won their championship match. “But that isn’t so bad when you consider that the team was without several players who were either abroad or had graduated already,” said Palou.

Ateneo will now train its sights on its second semester teams as it hopes to better its over-all finish.