THEY won’t get into action until the second half of the UAAP season’s first semester, but these squads are raring to go after UST lost its overall title last year. Will they deliver and help bring back the championship to UST?
Here’s the Varsitarian’s fearless forecast.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Tiger Spikers
Last year: Last Place
Prediction: Final Four
Under a new coaching staff and boosted by UAAP Season 75 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Mark Gil Alfafara, the Tiger Spikers hope to rebound from a nightmarish campaign last season.
Former players Henry Pecaña and Paul Jan Doloiras will take over coaching duties from long-time coach Emil Lontoc, who opted to focus on indoor volleyball.
The young coaches will depend on Alfafara, with likely partners Kevin Dela Cruz and Palarong Pambansa standout Chris Guzman, to avoid a repeat of last season’s upset.
Assistant coach Doloiras insists the Tiger Spikers will be ready this year, though Shakey’s V-League titlist National University remains the team to beat.
“Kailangan magbago ‘yung attitude sa game, when we play, we play to win. ‘Yung age-gap namin sa players hindi naman ganun kalaki pero pagdating sa laro, laro lang talaga,” he said.
Lady Spikers
Last year: Champion
Prediction: Champion
The return of Maruja Banaticla on the sand court has the Lady Spikers aiming for a third-straight championship.
Banaticla will be joined by Carmela Tunay and Shakey’s V-League Most Improved Player Pamela Lastimosa as the Lady Spikers hope to defend their crown, which they bagged after outlasting Adamson University last season.
Doloiras said the three volleybelles would bank on experience to fend off the Lady Falcons and Far Eastern University—teams they consider their toughest competitors.
“Experience talaga ang advantage natin lalo na kina Maru (Banaticla) at Mela (Tunay), tsaka si Pam (Lastimosa) nag-improve na talaga, kitang-kita naman,” he said. “Kailangan din na gamitan ng utak dito hindi lang puro power, tinuturuan namin sila kung saan ibabagsak ang bola para magka-easy points.”
CHEERDANCE
Salinggawi Dance Troupe
Last year: Fourth place
Prediction: Fifth place
With three-time champion University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad just a win away from surpassing UST’s record eight championships, the Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT) has no other way to go but up.
While UP is eyeing for its ninth overall and fourth-straight title after flaunting a freedom and equality-themed routine last year, the SDT continues to struggle after back-to-back subpar performances in the UAAP Cheerdance Competition, where it placed fourth in the last two years.
Led by new mentor Ramon Pagaduan IV, SDT’s Rio festival-inspired performance failed to merit a podium finish—something SDT has not achieved after its historic “five-peat” that ended in 2006.
SWIMMING
Tigersharks
Last year: Fourth Place
Prediction: Third Place
Despite losing Gerrol Castillo and Karlo Salonga to graduation, coach Cyrus Alcantara is confident that the Tigersharks will improve their fourth-place finish last year.
“We will do our best despite the circumstances we have, especially the pool,” said Alcantara of the University pool’s “acidic” water which lessens their training in water.
“We make up for it by lengthening our land training,” he added.
The Tigersharks’ lineup will be fortified by rookies Franz Marquez and Michael Bunag, who, Alcantara said, the other schools should “watch out for.”
But the Tigersharks, in turn, need to watch out for Ateneo and UP.
“If Ateneo won last year, this year it will be UP,” he said in Filipino. “We will probably take third or second. Second nga, mahirap pa.”
Female Tigersharks
Last year: Fourth Place
Prediction: Fourth Place
Featuring a “young roster,” the Female Tigersharks will be “lucky to get third.”
According to coach Agot Alcantara, younger brother of men’s head coach Cyrus, they suffered huge losses in Leyan Ramo, Alexa Espino and Ashley Jordan who have already graduated.
“Although we have mostly young swimmers, their performances will improve and peak during the season,” said the younger Alcantara.
But woes in recruitment did not help the team’s cause.
“Although the students agree to my recruitment terms, the parents get in the way since bigger allowances are offered by other schools,” he said.
UP and Ateneo are also the powerhouse teams in the women’s division.
TABLE TENNIS
Tiger Paddlers
Last year: Champion
Prediction: Third Place
The three-time defending champions are about to face what could be their toughest test this season as MVP Martin Diaz has already exhausted his playing years.
The Tiger Paddlers have also lost key players Gil Ablanque, Adolfo Bazar, Emerson Gumabay and Raymond Manlapaz who were orignially lined up but could not play this season due to academic deficiencies.
The team, which is currently undergoing a roster overhaul, will depend on veteran Norielle Pantoja and former Rookie of the Year Alberto Bazar to hopefully defend its crown and acquire its 26th overall title sans the original lineup which brought UST to the top in the last few seasons.
Lady Paddlers
Last year: Fourth Place
Prediction: Third Place
Honed in offseason tournaments, the Lady Paddlers might notch a higher rank this season.
“We joined [offseason tournaments] so that the players could get enough experience and confidence for the upcoming (UAAP) season,” coach Lorinda Wadjad said.
The Lady Paddlers will rely on team captain Girlie Apas and veterans Lyndelle Dizon, V Lupeba, Celinber Montes, Nina Nacasabog and Juvylyn Robles.
Former team captain and MVP Princess Laarni Mason has graduated while Carmela Rocero, who incurred academic deficiencies, could not play this season.
“The team’s line-up is cohesive because majority of our players are veterans,” Wadjad said.
Rookies Rizza Mae Derlucio and Princess Jean San Agustin will add firepower to the team to again make it to the Final Four.
“We acquired two good rookies this year,” Wadjad said. “UP and La Salle are threats [this year] because they’ve recruited national players, but I believe we can still enter the Final Four.” The Sports Team
