DUMAGUETE CITY – Bro. Felipe Belleza, chairman of Philippine University Games, felt sad after founding school University of St. La Salle (USLS) skipped participation in the 21st edition of the annual sports undertaking.
“We sent USLS the invitation but weeks later we got a reply that they will not join with reason not really specified,” he said. “I was surprised and like many others, I’m disappointed given that UniGames was established in Bacolod. But maybe they have a reason for not joining this year and I can live with that.”
As a La Sallian, seeing that lots of La Salle schools participating except for USLS, made him feel sad because through the years, he made a point to drop by and stay for a while.
“Before the late Bro. Roly Dizon died, he asked me to help Roger Banzuela to manage the UniGames,” he said.
Meanwhile, Belleza said the schools’ support is very important as well as of local government units like Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental.
“In hosting UniGames, we have to consider stability because not all schools are capable to spend as well as provide logistic requirements, and (deal with) the tremendous magnitude of hosting,” he said.
“With the support of the local government and universities here, we are inclined to embrace Dumaguete as our new home. But it doesn't mean that we will not return to Bacolod or even with USLS,” he added.
In another development, Banzuela received offers from officials of Naga and Davao to bring the games to their area in the coming years.
