UAGM defends Luis F. Sambolín Cup lead in Inter-University Athletic League
- The San Juan Daily Star
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
By The Star Staff
Ana G. Méndez University (UAGM) began its participation in the 2025 Sports Festival, “Las Justas,” of the Interuniversity Athletic League (LAI) on Thursday as the leader in the race for the Luis F. Sambolín Cup, one of the most important awards in intercollegiate sports in Puerto Rico.
“We are really happy. This year we have the opportunity to defend our championship,” said Edgar Díaz, the UAGM athletic director, in a written statement. “We have been off to a good start since the first semester.”
UAGM, with 1,635 accumulated points, competes in beach volleyball and women’s softball. Although it suffered losses in soccer and men’s basketball, where it is now vying for bronze after finishing runner-up in 2024, it maintains its lead over its main rivals.
Inter-American University is in second place with 1,470 points. The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) at Mayagüez is in third place with 1,440 points, followed by the UPR Río Piedras Campus with 1,415 points.
Díaz noted that competition will be strong in disciplines such as judo, swimming, table tennis, dance, and track and field. In dance, the UAGM expanded its team to 14 participants under coach Luis Jovan, who previously won bronze with the UPR at Ponce.
“We believe that in dance we should be in the top four places with God’s help,” Díaz said.
The Track and Field Games will be held May 1-3 at Mayagüez’s José Antonio Figueroa Freyre Stadium. Díaz invited the public to attend, guaranteeing that “they are going to be very exciting.”
Last year, Díaz kept his promise to shave his head if the UAGM won the cup. This year, amid laughter, he ruled out repeating the challenge and expressed confidence that the athletes would be recognized at the Sports Gala.
The schedule and results are available at laipr.org and on the Torneo Fácil mobile app.
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