Tag: 2010

THE COOL December breeze has brought with it shares of precious joy and gift-giving among UST’s proud athletes and coaches this yuletide season. As everyone looks forward to opening their presents under the silver-lined trappings of a Christmas tree, the España army treads down the memory lane and shares with the Varsitarian the most memorable gifts they have ever received.

“Last year was the most memorable for me when my father gave me a pair of shoes for a tournament in Ayala, Alabang, and I made it as a champion.” – Arn Procianos, lawn tennis

THE UST Golden Sox rode on a torrid start to dominate the University of the Philippines via a mercy rule, 11-1, in the UAAP baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark last December 5.

The team is poised to improve on its fifth-place finish last season with league-leading 3-0 win-loss slate in the first round. The National University (NU) is second with a 2-1 record.

“This is the actualization of our hard work. Their skills and capabilities are really showing now. If they [UST] continue playing like this, I think we can make it to the Final Four,” said coach Jeffrey Santos, noting that his wards had immensely improved on the mental aspect of the game.

THOMASIAN athletes made modest contributions in the country’s dismal performance in the 16th Asian Games in in Guangzhou, China from November 12 to 27.

In the Philippine contingent’s 16-medal haul, tourism alumnus Engelberto “Biboy” Rivera struck gold with 1,414 pinfalls, 10 points ahead of silver medalist Mohammed Algreebah of Kuwait.

Former Tiger Jim Tshomlee Go and 19-year-old Paul Romero chipped in a bronze medal apiece in the men’s under-63 kg and under-58 kg categories, respectively.
In all, the Philippines collected three gold medals, four silver, and nine bronze and finished 19th out of 34 countries in the regional meet.

FOUR Thomasian cue artists surfaced as the early favorites in the first National Collegiate Billiards League (NCBL) or B-League, walking over the De La Salle University with a clean 3-0 sweep last November 20 at the Manila Ocean Park. 

Bannering UST was the black-and-gold quartet of team captain Aaron Cedric Gonzales, John Michael Hipolito and Conrad Roy Cruz Jr. from the Faculty of Engineering, and Gerthee Estrella from the College of Commerce.

They faced a tough opposition in 19 other schools such as Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, Lyceum University of the Philippines, San Sebastian College-Recolletos, and the Philippine Maritime Institute.

WILL 13 prove to be a lucky number for the España army?

UST is ahead of the pack after the first semester of UAAP hostilities. But with only 13 points separating the Tigers and the De La Salle Green Archers in the overall standings, complacency could cost UST a 13th consecutive general championship.

The Tigers have collected a total of 154 points by virtue of their 4-4-2 gold-silver-bronze haul, which was better than the medal collection last season. The Archers are in second with 141 points, followed by the Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines, which are tied for third with 111 markers apiece.

“They gave their best in every sport they played but if the gold wasn’t really for you, then it was not for you. said UST athletics moderator Rodrigo Sambuang. “Like in the men’s beach volleyball, they pushed really hard to make it to the championship match, but in the end, it was just not for them.”

THE UST Tracksters took a break from collegiate competition and joined more than 100,000 runners in the “Run for the Pasig River” event last October 10.

This “fun run” started at different parts of Metro Manila but had a common finish line at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Still, they stood out and bagged top honors in three categories in the run, which was intended to raise awareness and gather support for the rehabilitation of the dying river.

Female Trackster Kiezel Pedriña took home the gold in the women’s 3-kilometer run followed by Cristine Delfin, who finished second.

BADMINTON was never his first love—until he realized he was born for it.

UST Male Shuttler Peter Gabriel “Ariel” Magnaye came from a family of badminton aficionados, so it was no surprise that he would pursue the path. As the family mantra goes, being a Magnaye pretty much decided what you would do.

During his childhood, the young Ariel was more into basketball, confessing that he tried badminton only because “they wanted me to play.”

“Before, I really did not like to play the sport,” he said, “I liked basketball when I was a kid but now, I’m really addicted to badminton.”

THE UST Male Shuttlers retained their crown for the second straight season, outsmashing strong contender Ateneo de Manila University, 3-2, last September 26 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

The team’s bid to keep the title began in defeat as team captain Salvador Kapunan bowed down to Ateneo’s Antonio Gadi, 9-21, 14-21, in the first singles match.

But national player RJ Ormilla put UST in the win column as he handed Patrick Natividad a 21-18, 21-15 loss to even the score at 1-1.

The Shuttlers came within a win away from another title after Ariel Magnaye and Benjude Cajefe subdued Ateneo’s Paolo Sunga and Justin Natividad, 21-18, 21-16.

IT ALL boiled down to experience as the UST Tigresses tumbled against defending champions Adamson University Lady Falcons, 79-92, in the Final Four of the UAAP women’s basketball hostilities at the San Juan Arena last September 18.

The Lady Falcons propelled a staggering 10-point lead in the opening quarter alone, 27-17, and sustained the momentum down the stretch to clinch a Finals seat, sending the undersized Tigresses to a respectable third place.

Defending champions UST Male Shuttlers escaped past a rookie-laden National University (NU) squad, 3-2, in their semifinal match at the Rizal Badminton Hall last September 12 to book a hard-earned championship berth in the Season 73 badminton hostilities.
“I was expecting more from my players since they were playing against a team (NU) with a roster full of rookies,” coach Noli Cajefe said.

Season 71 Rookie of the Year R-Jay Ormilla drew first blood, drubbing NU’s Jayson Oba-ob in the first singles game, 21-18, 21-15.

But NU got back with Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player candidate Ariel Magnaye, who was recovering from flu, yielding to the steel-nerved Joper Escueta, 21-12, 21-10.