By Waylon Galvez
San Beda launched its title-retention in devastating fashion, crushing Letran 13-0 Thursday in the 95th NCAA men’s football tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Rosi Sumudivila struck in the 11th, 38th and 54th minute for the Red Booters, who are gunning for a 22nd title.
Reigning MVP Jessie Semblante (15th, 66th), Kenneth Payosalan (56th, 59th) and Maurice Humol (90th, second half stoppage time), netted a brace while Christopher Villanueva (first half stoppage time), Keith Edulan (51st), Miguel Pasion (58th) and Reinhard Colasito (79th) also entered the scoresheet for San Beda.
Al Jun Baclason, on the other hand, made a hat-trick while Kervin Papilota had a brace as last year’s runner-up Arellano University bested Mapua, 7-1.
Regil Suplito and Miller Akiapat were also on target for the Chiefs, while Mark Chan scored the Cardinals’ lone goal.
In the last match, College of Saint Benilde blanked Emilio Aguinaldo College, 4-0.
Meantime, San Beda opens its title defense in the lawn tennis and soft tennis competition Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The Red Netters wrested away the men’s lawn tennis title away from College of Saint Benilde in the Finals last season, as Andre Tuason helped San Beda end a two-year drought winning the MVP honors in his final season.
Behind Tracy Cheldette Llamas, a Junior Fed Cup campaigner who was named the tournament MVP, San Beda defeated St. Benilde in the championship tie to rule the women’s division.
The Mendiola-based squad was also dominant in soft tennis last season.
The Red Netters became the first-ever men’s soft tennis champion at the expense of the Blazers, with Whismark Basanal emerging as MVP, while MVP Princess Catindig had a solid performance as San Beda bested St. Benilde to annex the women’s crown.
In the juniors division, Lyceum of the Philippines University eyes a second consecutive championship.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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