WV rules CHED football; DMCCF in best finish

MANILA, Philippines - Heavy favorite Western Visayas foiled Zamboanga Peninsula’s bid for a Cinderella finish, eking out a 2-1 victory in football action even as National Capital Region kept its dominating performance in the 2010 CHED National Games yesterday.

Joven Bedic delivered the goals – the first in the 35th minute and the other in the 54th – as Region VI, represented by West Negros U, staved off the tough challenge of Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation, a small school near a fishing village in Zamboanga del Norte.

“It was tough. We collapsed in the second half but we hung on to win, which is what mattered,” said Western Visayas coach Norman Fegidero, a former RP team mainstay.

Michael Atienza, a 22-year-old graduating nursing student, gave DMCCF some ray of hope as he rolled in a goal on the 74th minute. He looked headed for another one few plays later only to miscalculate a kick that sailed a few inches out of the left post.

West Negros striker Michael Pacite drew a red card, but Zamboanga failed to take advantage, thus, losing the match in this event backed by Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping, Smart, San Miguel Corp., AMA and STI.

Zamboanga’s British coach Reginald Jukes questioned the penalty shot given Bedic, enabling Western Visayas to draw first blood.

“It wasn’t a penalty. It should have been 0-0 going into the break,” said the 64-year-old Jukes, based in the country for a decade now with his Filipina wife Maria.

“But there’s nothing to be ashamed of. We gave it our all and you saw what happened,” he added.

“We’re just a small school near a fishing village but we came out with a strong effort and nearly won it. This is our best finish in any competition the school participated,” said proud DMCCF owner Albert Concha.

The football finale overshadowed the men’s basketball event, won by reigning NCAA titlist San Sebastian over Ateneo de Davao, 99-83.

It was a sweet sweep for the Stags, who trounced all their five opponents by double-digit margins.

“Our hard work paid off because we never stopped practicing after we won in the NCAA,” said NCR mentor Ato Agustin.

Reigning NCAA finals MVP Jimbo Aquino was named the MVP. Joining him in the Mythical Selection were his teammates Gilbert Bulawan, John Raymundo and Ian Sangalang and Ateneo de Davao’s Miguel Solitaria.

The Big City completed a cage sweep by reigning supreme in the women’s side following Lyceum’s 71-52 thrashing of Eastern Visayas’ University of San Carlos.

But it was not without ugly moments as Lyceum coach Aileen Lebornio and athletic director Tammy Gonzales were slapped technical fouls for too many complaints.

The game was interrupted for a few minutes after Gonzales, who didn’t like the way officials were officiating the game, charged into the court and threw invectives at the officials.

France Mae Cabinbin led the Lady Pirates with 20 points while Len Flormata chipped in 14.

Fil-Japanese Ayumi Ono paced the Cebu belles with 22 points but it was Cabinbin who shone the brightest as she emerged the league MVP.

Central Visayas’ University of San Jose Recoletos copped the men’s volleyball gold on a 25-16, 19-25, 22-25, 25-21, 17-15 win over Western Visayas.