ZAMBOANGA CITY – A Western Visayas quintet packed with height and heft but wanting in bravado yielded its first two games yesterday, dimming its chances of making the semifinals of the National Private Schools Athletic Association Meet here.

Bannered by West Negros University, the region six squad's pride took a big hit when it blew a 21-point lead at halftime and lost 80-74 in overtime to Davao at the Golden Boys Covered Court yesterday morning.

Five hours later, the WV cagers, second placers last year, suffered a 69-67 loss to Cotabato, represented by Holy Trinity of General Santos City, in a defeat that could put them out of contention for the title.

Their only hope is for Davao and Cotabato to drop at least two matches, while they sweep their remaining games to at least gain a tiebreak for the top two spots in their group.

Except for the debacle in basketball, the Western Visayas campaign in ballgames was mostly trouble-free on day one of the 38th edition of the meet.

The men's football squad produced the most comprehensive win of the day – a 10-1 drubbing of Cotabato – at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex pitch.

John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University's Paolo Suner came up with a hat-trick, while Jaylor Soriano, Jaime Poderoso, Mark Ferrer, Peter Sobrido Jeffrey Villarina, Gino Palomo and Miguel Gonzales scored a goal each in the rout.

Western Visayas' campaign in women's volleyball also got off to a promising start as the University of St. La Salle Lady Stingers pulled off a 25-9, 25-9, 25-19 triumph over Region 12.

Sepak takraw action saw Region 6 beating CARAGA, 3-0, while the region six women's basketball team dumped Region 3, 86-26. In softball, Western Visayas overcame Northern Mindanao, 7-4.

The Western Visayas men's tennis squad pulled off a 2-1 win over Region 12 with former age-group standout Gerard Bergavera delivering the decisive win against Daniel Erijo, 8-4, in the reverse singles match.

Mentored by the multi-titled George Jimenez of UNO-R, the WV men's table tennis squad zoomed to the top of its group by scalping Region 12, 2-0, Region 11, 2-1 and Region 1, 2-0.

The women's squad of coach Vivica Ramos also stayed unbeaten, pulling off similar 2-0 victories over Bicol and Region 2.

Also unblemished are the men and women's chess teams, which took a maximum four points over their first round opponents yesterday at the Pilar College Gym.

The men and women's badminton team, which has players from Riverside College, also boosted their title bids with opening-day wins.

The WV men's squad beat Central Visayas, while the women's squad posted two wins at the expense of Region VII and CARAGA.*CPT

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Twin losses dim cagers title chances
W. Visayas struggles as NCR takes control 
UNO-R tandem stays in contention
UNO-R tandem stays in contention