VSU athletes reap 50 gold, 26 silver, 44 bronze medals in 2014 SCUAA-8 Meet; VSU to host SCUAA in 2015

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte —A total of 120 medals, based on the number of players in every sporting event, were reaped by the VSU athletes during the 30th Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Meet hosted by the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in Catarman, Northern Samar on October 19-24, 2014.

 Fifty (50) of the 120 medals were gold, courtesy of soccer football men-17, volleyball women-12, badminton women-4, lawn tennis women-4, athletics men and women-2, dancesports (modern standard)-2, and swimming men and women-9; 26 were silver through Mr. SCUAA-1, athletics men and women-3, swimming men and women-10, and softball women-12; and 44 were bronze medals from Miss SCUAA-1, athletic men-1, swimming men and women-18, taekwondo men and women-4, basketball women-12, lawn tennis men-4, and chess men-4.

Anchored on the theme "Breaking Records, Reaping Honors, Boosting Morale", the week-long sports joust drew more or less 2,500 athletes, coaches and officials from the 11 state universities and colleges in Region 8, namely: Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), Leyte Normal University (LNU), Naval State University (NSU), Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT), Samar State University (SSU), Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), University of the Philippines Visayas-Tacloban Campus (UPVTC), Visayas State University (VSU), and the host institution—the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP).

In athletics, Narciso Deterala of VSU-Tolosa defended his title as the fastest runner in the 3,000-meter run, the title he holds for four consecutive years now. However, he was overtaken by the runner of LNU in the 5,000-meter run which he used to hold for three years and just finished as silver medalist, and also lost the title in the 10,000-meter run to the EVSU runner.

On the other hand, Alvie A. Roluna, a sophomore BS in Agricultural Engineering, won the gold in the Javelin Throw Women. Moreover, Romulo Perez of VSU-Tolosa won the silver medal in the Triple Jump Men which he used to be the title holder in last year's SCUAA Meet. In Shot Put Women, Angelica Alba, a senior BS in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management student, won the silver medal. Likewise, Deo Argallon, a freshman BS in Agribusiness student, won the bronze in the Javelin Throw Men. The Athletic Men and Women coach is Mr. Raymond Igcasama.

In swimming, Angelito R. Bocal took home four gold medals as he dominated in the pool by winning the 200-m Breaststroke, 50-m Breaststroke, 800-m Freestyle, and in the 100-m Backstroke. He also won the silver in 100-m Breaststroke and in the 4 x 100-m Medley Relay together with Mitch O. Del Coro, Jason Piamonte, and Ericson Piedraverde. The same group of men swimmers bagged the bronze medals in the 4 x 200-m Freestyle Relay. Moreover, Mitch O. Del Coro won the gold in the 200-m Backstroke and silver in the 100-m Backstroke.

Meanwhile, the lady swimmers (Nyhia P. Alfeche, Cristy A. Aviles, Roda O. Capacao, and Ian Mae S. Espinosa) lambasted other swimmers in the 4 x 200-m Freestyle Relay as they won the gold. Cristy E. Alvis placed second in the 50-m Breaststroke and grabbed the bronze in the 200-m Backstroke and in the 100-m Breaststroke. Similarly, Ian Mae S. Espinosa took the silver medals in the 800-m Freestyle, 50-m Butterfly, and in the 100-m Breaststroke. She also snatched the bronze in the 100-m and in the 50-m Breaststroke. Roda O. Capacao, on the other hand, was contented with her two bronze medals in the 400-m Freestyle and in the 100-m Freestyle. Likewise, she won the bronze in the 4 x 50-m Medley Relay together with Nyhia P. Alfeche, Cristy A. Aviles, and Ian Mae S. Espinosa; and in the 4 x 100-m Freestyle Relay with Cristy A. Aviles, Janice B. Panilag, and Ian Mae S. Espinosa. The Swimming Team is coached by Mr. Andrew A. Mazo with Dr. Aleli A. Villocino as the assistant coach.

The VSU Soccer Team dominated the UEP Oval as it defeated all other soccer teams from the different SUCs in the region. The Team with Mr. Alvin Bales as coach, fought for the championship over the host players of UEP. The VSU Soccer Team scored 2 while the UEP Team scored 0, making the VSU team enjoy the twice to beat standing. The VSU players were teary-eyed as they kissed the ground as a gesture of their jubilation for a long period of time they only placed either second or third in previous SCUAA games. The players consisted of Clint Joel P. Baltonado, Raul Borinaga, Joveth A. Cocamas, Kekin Concillado, Anthony Christian Y. Conde, Ral R. Cuizon, Richie R. Cuizon, Kerwin Declaros, Luigi Ruy C. Dela Cruz, Michael A. Fernandez, Wilson G. Libores, John Darwin T. Lozada, Joseph L. Luchavez, Kris Benzon V. Notarte, Ramel C. Ortega, Daniel M. Subingsubing, and David Winston W. Tabada.

Furthermore, the VSU Volleyball Women Team coached by Ms. Florife A. Gatchalian with Dr. Ana Marquiza Quilicot as assistant coach was very much hungry in winning the gold as they smashed all their opponents from the different SUCs. Last year's Volleyball Women champion, the Leyte Normal University, tried their best to defend the title but fell short with the might of the VSU spikers. The VSU Volleyball Team was at the advantage side for it enjoys the twice to beat standing. The VSU spikers is composed of Abigail T. Amarille, Janica Kyre J. Berdos, Khrystin J. Berdos, Ivan Joyce P. Bico, Analou V. Bustrillo, Johanna Paula R. Jomoc, Shiela Marie C. Loreto, Joana Jerose O. Petilos, Kate Cyra L. Quindao, Rosemarie N. Tuyor, Zarah Mae G. Velarde, and Mary Grace A. Villacorte.

In Badminton Women, VSU players composed of Abigail N. Balbarino, Christian Mae A. Fernandez, Marigold E. Retuya, and Wencee Khyeir D. Tinapan, with Mr. Edilberto A. Artiga, Jr. II as coach, did not give chance to their opponents to win in the series of games. They fought the UEP smashers and brought home the bacon as the champion in Badminton Women.

Moreover, VSU Lawn Tennis Men and Women proved their skills and endurance as they tried to beat other teams in their respective categories. The women netters composed of Diezanne Jireh D. Antipaso, Elgy C. Dasian, Elma C. Dasian, and Ma. Theresa S. Tagalog easily won the title by defeating the other teams and took home the gold. However, the men's tennis was dominated by the SLSU team and VSU got only the bronze. The players are Ron Gerald A. Gorre, Gerald T. Jumadas, Jethro Fred D. Tan, and Butch T. Oca. Both Tennis Men and Women are coached by Mr. Vincent Nel D. Antipaso.

The floor of the UEP Gymnatorium was turned into an arena with deafening cheers from the spectators as the couples in the Dancesports competitions (both in the Latin American and in the Modern Standard disciplines) ramped away and showed their prowess in dancing. VSU couple, Gelli Anne S. Alcuino and Joel E. Conde, was proclaimed winners in the Modern Standard Discipline and also named Best Costume in their category. It can be recalled that both dancers are the title holder of the said category for four consecutive years now. VSU Dancesports team is under the tutelage of Mr. Jovel M. Aberilla with Miss Glory Jane B. Bandibas as assistant coach who are also both dancers of the two disciplines.

On the other hand, the Softball Women with Mr. Artemio Nayre as coach, landed at the second place and bagged the silver medal. The Team composed of Mae Ann M. Arena, Francis Diana Michan V. Asis, Ericha D. Bantilan, Desire Gesultura, Leicelle Mae G. Gonzaga, Alyanna Kate C. Ygot, Charmelita S. Mabia, Sharyn C. Mandras, Ma. Theresse L. Pantino, Frances Mae Pizon, Jozen Mae Ann N. Remoroza, and Judy Ann P. Salva did not succeed in defeating the players from EVSU.

The Basketball Women Team had doubled its effort as the team tasted its first defeat in Game 1 of Basketball against the LNU basketers who later on emerged as the champion. It defeated other teams in its succeeding games except for EVSU which won the silver by a one point lead (equivalent to a free throw shot) when they met at the semi-finals. The VSU women cagers are: Maricon C. Austero, Jinky D. Escala, Eugie Glyde M. Estrera, Maria Elena S. Guy-ab, Eva D. Homillano, Angelica C. Mangalo, Elvie Q. Moquiring, Angielyn D. Paule, Angela Pilapil, Soren B. Poliquit, Jeanyrose D. Quimco, and Bernadeth G. Tambole with Mr. Ricarido C. Nanggan, Jr. as coach and Miss Pamela A. Adobas as assistant coach.

In Chess Men, VSU players comprised of Clar Don L. Evangelio, Christopher Diego A. Garcia, Jeve Ngoho, and Rezaldo M. Paloma with Mr. Rommel Garrido, Jr. as coach emerged the bronze medal.

In Taekwondo, the following are the bronze medalists in their respective categories: Light Weight (M) – Jovanne Modina, Middle Weight (M) – Jimmar Alkuino, Heavy Weight (M) – Vince Sorilla, and Heavy Weight (W) – Mary Rose Cañas. The team is being coached by Mr. Antonio Abayabay.

VSU's candidates in the Search for Mr. and Ms. SCUAA 2014 were among the top three winners. Mr. Er Stephen Alvarado was proclaimed 1st Runner Up, while Miss Mariet Marie L. Vilbar was declared 2nd Runner Up. This year's coach is Miss Sheena Eunice B. Tabudlong.
The 2014 SCUAA-8 Meet was graced by Congressman Roman T. Romulo of the Lone District of Pasig and Chair of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives who served as the guest of honor, together with his wife Mrs. Shalani Soledad-Romulo.

During the Closing Ceremony, the SCUAA-8 banner was formally turned-over by Atty. Mar P. De Asis, UEP and PASUC-8 President, to the 2015 SCUAA-8 host—the Visayas State University—represented by Prof. Alan B. Loreto, VSU Executive Officer. —vsu.edu.ph

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