THE THOMASIAN contingent is all geared up for the UAAP and the goal, a 40th general championship and UST’s 15th consecutive one. But all that will depend on individual and team performances across all disciplines. Here’s the Varsitarian’s Fearless Forecast:
Basketball
Growling Tigers
Last season: Fourth place
Prediction: Final Four
The Tigers are still a “Final Four-caliber squad,” said one sports scribe.
Jasmine Payo, sports writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, said even though the squad got more scoring options with the return of Clark Bautista and Aljon Mariano, “they still lost a key player in Chris Camus.”
“Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University still have the talent, tools, and experience to go all the way. National University might be in for a breakout season, leving UST to probably fight for the fourth spot with La Salle or Adamson,” Payo said.
The Growling Tigers, though, have a way of proving so-called forecasts like what they did in 2006 where they upset Ateneo to win the title.
“We ranked them near bottom last year, yet they were in the Final Four,” Payo added.
Tigresses
Last season: Third place
Prediction: Final Four
Not fond of making promises, coach Chris Cantonjos said his wards would definitely double their efforts defensively to have a far better performance this season.
“We should not settle for third place. If we can improve what we accomplished last year, then we’ll do it,” he said.
The Tigresses will also bank on the services of Palarong Pambansa standouts Josele Jumawan, Melchar Jerez, Demi Villanueva, and Shanda Anies.
“We should always start with defense because offense comes after playing good, tight defense,” Cantonjos said.
Cheerdance
UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe
Last Year: Fourth place
Prediction: Top three
Back-to-back champion UP Pep Squad is a win away from equaling UST’s eight-title record. But not if the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT) could regain its old form and regain the trophy it last won in 2006.
With a new practice hall for the SDT at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, club president Dan Dimaculangan sees an improvement this season.
“We have the edge in terms of creativity and building transitions in liftings and skills. Dancing skills are a given. We have more strength now in gymnastics and the technical aspect,” he said.
The SDT is fresh from the Philippine National Games where it finished with three awards.
Swimming
Tigersharks
Last Season: Second place
Prediction: Champion
The Male Tigersharks have revenge in their minds after being denied of the championship last season. They settled for second place behind De La Salle University.
But with better preparation and stronger resolve, the team could finally regain the title it last won in 2008.
Female Tigersharks
Last Season: Fourth place
Prediction: Third place
An improvement to third place this season is not far-fetched for the female squad.
Although Marvie Borja and Aljoy Pilapil have already exhausted their playing years, the team boasts of reliable additions in Thea Belen, Mia Lao, and Keren Tabuena.
Coach Cyrus Alcantara said the squad would double its effort this season to beat powerhouse University of the Philippines, which won its third straight crown last season.
Table Tennis
Tiger Paddlers
Last Season: Champion
Prediction: Champion
Under a new coaching staff, the Tiger Paddlers are seeking to stretch their championship streak to three.
“The team’s chemistry is recovering little by little,” said coach Joseph Cruz, who replaced Henberd Ortalla. “There will always be room for improvement, but expect a newer, stronger, and more seasoned team.”
The squad added promising rookies in Raymark Salutilla, Alberto Bazar, Lorenz Jewel Diaz, and Norelle Pantoja to help fill the void left by team captain Aaron Morales.
Lady Paddlers
Last Season: Fourth place
Prediction: Final Four
The new coach of the Lady Paddlers is hopeful of a Final Four finish for her wards.
“I know that the team has a lot to show this season, and we will do our best to play our games well and hopefully, we can get another Final Four spot this year,” coach Lorinda Wadjad said.
The Lady Paddlers, though, still needs to gain more experience.
“I have seen them play, and by far, the only problem I could see is their lack of experience,” she said.
Taekwondo
Tiger Jins
Last season: Champion
Prediction: Champion
Coach Dindo Simpao is usually not one to make predictions for the Tiger Jins. But make no mistake about it—they are the team to beat and they should keep the crown.
“I cannot say what will be our place in the standings this year,” coach Dindo Simpao said. “What I can say is that we will do our best to retain the championship.”
With the departure of Marlon Avenido and Anthony Soriano, the Tiger Jins will be headed by veteran Christian Al de la Cruz.
Simpao believes his team has a lot more to improve such as “mental toughness.”
Lady Jins
Last season: Fourth place
Prediction: Champion
After their surprising fourth-place finish last year, the Lady Jins are more than eager to bounce back this season, with veteran and national team mainstay Jade Zafra back in the squad. Expect Zafra to lead the Lady Jins to the top spot.
“There are lot of threats for us such as FEU and La Salle but I believe we can still win it,” Simpao said.
Judo
Tiger Judokas
Last season: Champion
Prediction: Champion
With a roster still in top shape, the Male Judokas are not about to relinquish the crown.
Coach Steve Esteban still has high-caliber wards in Season 74 Best Player Bryan Llamas and Jon Rodriguez. Veteran John Herrera is also back in the lineup after a year.
But the Judokas are not letting their guard down.
“We have strong threats such as Ateneo and La Salle,” Esteban said. “We still have to improve our techniques, power and endurance.”
Lady Judokas
Last season: Champion
Prediction: Final Four
Winning the title is hard. But probably more difficult is to defend it. That’s the predicament second-year coach Gerard Arce is facing now.
“It’s the toughest year for us. Right now, we’re in the process of rebuilding the team because three of my best players will play their last season,” Arce said.
Although last season’s MVP Shellane Bello is gone due to graduation, Arce is confident the squad will perform well, especially now that Season 73 MVP Setsuko Ando is back.
“We’re preparing for everything—emotionally, psychologically, physically, spiritually. We need to be at our peak by August or September,” Arce said.
Badminton
Male Shuttlers
Last season: Fifth place
Prediction: Fifth place
Although the team will parade a Palarong Pambansa standout this season, coach Noli Cajefe admitted that a repeat of its championship in Season 73 might not be feasible. The reason: other competing teams have a more intact and seasoned lineup.
“Our opponents have better and stronger rosters compared to ours,” he said.
“The team still needs the chemistry inside the court. It takes time in badminton to practice the court communication especially with a rookie.”
UST will still rely on veterans RJ Ormilla, Benjude Cajefe, and team captain Tan Tan Kapunan.
Lady Shuttlers
Last season: Sixth place
Prediction: Fifth place
The return of national team mainstay Ana Patricia Barredo does not assure Cajefe of a stellar showing this year because he lost another veteran player in Pia Lynne Fabros due to academic deficiencies.
“Barredo lost her long-time partner (Fabros) in the doubles that’s why I’m still looking from the rookies to pair with her,” Cajefe said.
Barredo is expected to lead the Lady Shuttlers as they try to redeem themselves this season, with support coming from Maria Kristine Gaspar and Steffi Aquino. Cajefe is also hoping that with the help of seniors Klara Undan and Camille Yang, the Lady Shuttlers could crash the Final Four once again.
Beach Volleyball
Tiger Spikers
Last season: Second place
Prediction: Champion
With an entirely new line-up and fresh legs, the Tiger Spikers are seeking to regain the title this season from their perennial rival Far Eastern University.
Despite the departure of veterans Jayson Ramos and Mark Alfafara, the squad will depend on John Depante, Mark Pangan, Jason Sarabia, and Christian Arbasto to bring the glory back to España.
“We are focused on improving our level of play and ball control. In this sport, you need to be a quick-thinker and to make the proper judgments,” coach Emil Lontoc said.
Lady Spikers
Last season: Champion
Prediction: Champion
Judy Caballejo and Maruja Banaticla are still with the team and expect the Lady Spikers to retain the crown, probably in dominant fashion.
“We are more experienced compared to other teams. Judy and Maru have the edge in speed and strength and I am confident they will still deliver this season,” Lontoc said.
The two have yet to familiarize themselves with the sand play, given that they came from an indoor volleyball tournament last summer where they finished second.
“We need to be familiar with the sand again and adjust our spikes, especially off-speed ones, and be consistent,” Caballejo said.
Both Lontoc and Caballejo consider Ateneo de Manila University and Adamson University as the threats in sustaining their championship run.
