THREE UC athletes won in their respective sports for a one-silver and two-bronze medal production in 14th Unigames.

This happened after they failed to make a mark in the various sports events being played in UniGames in Iloilo hosted by Central Philippines University (CPU).

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Cesar Castanero Jr. led the UC Jaguars charges with his silver medal in the 5,000-meter run clocking 16 minutes and 30.31 seconds behind University of Sto. Tomas' Roger Denolo clocking 16:15.06 for the gold medal.

Also winning in the 100-meter dash was Rhemilyn Soriano who took the bronze medals in the 100-meter dash women with a time of 11.77 seconds.

Hanelyn Loquito of Far Eastern University clocked 11.39 seconds to claim the gold medal in the event while Ateneo's Maita Mendoza came in at second with a time of 11.58 seconds.

While the women's UC tae kwon do team failed to get any medal in the sport, Rodrigo Wigan avoided a shutout in the combative events after winning the bronze in the flyweight category.

La Salle Bacolod's Robert Tambanillo and Mario Nepomuceno from CPU took the gold and silver medal respectively.

"Hindi naman ganun ka fulfilling yung participation namin kasi puro bago yung mga athletes namin. But the most important part is their exposure sa mga ganitong klaseng laro," said UC athletic director Yul Benosa in a telephone conversation.

Benosa added although their badminton and volleyball teams did not enter the quarterfinals of the tournament, it was a good showing for the Jaguar squads since they got their needed exposure in national meets which will help them in future competitions.

"Actually yung badminton and volleyball teams made good showings compared to other teams kasi yung badminton team natin nasa top eight while yung volleyball women had it not lost against Iloilo Doctor's College could have been in the top six," Benosa added.

The 2009 National University Games which started Oct. 24 until 30 in Iloilo City was the biggest ever in the 13-year history of the collegiate meet.

UniGames president Roger Banzuela said about 2,500 athletes and officials are participating in the weeklong games, which was hosted for the first time by CPU.

Twenty-four squads signed up for men's basketball, where Ateneo de Manila is the defending champion after ruling last year's tournament in Dumaguete City.

On the other hand, the volleyball tournament attracted 38 schools.

Ateneo is actually defending three crowns, including women's swimming and women's tennis.

Rizal Technological U emerged as the top school last year, after ruling women's athletics, taekwondo and men's swimming.