BERLIN, Germany – Using only an eight-man rotation, National University fell to Portugal, 0-3, in the 2025 FISU World University Games at the Horst-Korber Sportzentrum here on Monday.
The Bulldogs, who stunned the Universiade last Saturday with a victory over Argentina, despite their lack of manpower, couldn’t sustain the momentum as they succumbed to the Portuguese
25 – 19, 25 – 23, 25 – 14 in the men’s classification 9 to 16th rounds.
In basketball, the Mapua University lost its third straight game — a 67-79 setback to Poland in Duisburg.
It was, however, the best showing by far of the Cardinals, who fell to a fast and athletic Brazil selection on opening day of basketball hostilities, 58-105, before dropping a 47-100 beatdown at the hands of the defending champion Czech Republic.
The Cards, who played minus MVP Clint Escamis, were led by Marc Cyrus Cuenco with 14 points, followed by John Christopher Recto (12) and Yam Concepcion.
NU and Mapua secured their berths in the Universiade after winning the Asian University Volleyball Championships and the Asian University Basketball Championships, respectively, both organized by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, the official university sports body recognized by the International University Sports Federation.
Held from July 16 to July 27, 2025, across the Rhine-Ruhr region and Berlin, the Universiade sees the Philippines also competing in table tennis, archery, athletics, artistic gymnastics and badminton.
The delegation is backed by Bestank Corporation, Philippine Airlines, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Asics, KELME Sportswear, Healthy Options, LT Group Inc., Seascape Village, Paddock Casual Jeans, OMNI Electrical and Lighting, Fronte Motors, Megaworld Corporation, Burlington Socks, Cobra Energy Drinks, and Henn Athletic Club.
The World University Games, a grand celebration of international university sports and culture, brings together over 8,000 student-athletes and officials from more than 100 countries.
