UPLB-CLSU ‘Friendship Games’ makes a comeback

After three decades, UPLB and the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija have again come together to hold what once was an annual event, the UPLBCLSU

Friendship Games.

The Friendship Games, held on Oct. 24-26 at the CLSU campus, saw the dominance of UPLB in the faculty and staff category at 140-80 points, with wins in bowling, badminton, basketball, and softball divisions. However, CLSU clobbered UPLB in the varsity category games, garnering a total of 340 points as against UPLB’s 180 points.

The Friendship Games is a revival of the two state universities’ annual dual meet that goes back to the early ‘80s.

In his speech during the opening ceremony held at the CLSU grandstand, Vice Chancellor for Planning and  Development Fernando V. Sanchez, Jr. said that the pursuit of excellence should be the guiding light in all that we do as we push our standards of quality to even greater heights.

Dr. Sanchez said that the games bring about the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship between UPLB and CLSU.

He reminded the participants about sportsmanship quoting former WNBA player Sue Wicks: “Sportsmanship knows that (this) is a game, that we are only as good as our opponents, and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent.”

According to the UPLB Sports and Recreation Committee, which oversees the University’s sports program, the Friendship Games help the UPLB varsity teams to prepare for other sports competitions of the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA). (KE Araguas with reports from Rueth Cabral of the College of Public Affairs and Development)