Tag: 2010

VOLLEYBALL fans were treated to a rare exhibition game at the UST gym with the Lady Spikers conquering their Shakey’s V-league foes, the Lyceum University of the Philippines Lady Pirates, in four sets, , 25-18, 18-25, 25-15, 25-21, last July 9.

The home team almost dictated the tempo of the entire match, save for the second set which belonged to the Lady Pirates courtesy of the heroics of ex-UST volleybelle Mary Jean Balse.

“This is an exhibition game for the fans who miss the team now that we’re not joining the second conference of V-league,” coach Cesael de los Santos said in Filipino. “It also encourages camaraderie among other volleyball teams.”

WILL title No. 13 prove unlucky for UST this time around?

Last season, UST claimed its 12th consecutive general championship, bringing to 37 its total since the UAAP began in 1938. The story of the new season will be basically the same, all teams trying to unseat the longtime champs. But going by UST’s different lineups, a 13th straight title will not be farfetched. The Tigers’ worst enemy will be complacency. Here is the Varsitarian’s Fearless Forecast:

BASKETBALL

Growling Tigers
Last season: Fourth place
Prediction: Fourth place

WHAT’S with the National University (NU) that some Tigers are lured into becoming Bulldogs?

The school now owned by business tycoon Henry Sy has convinced at least three UST athletes to join its lineup, in an apparent bid to improve its showing in upcoming sports competitions.

But the transfer of volleyball siblings Dindin and Aliya Santiago and ex-Tiger Cub Kyle Neypes has raised ethical questions over the manner of recruitment—some call it “piracy”—in collegiate sports.

Neypes’ team mate Cederick Labing-isa similarly opted not to enroll in UST for college, while former athletics director Francis Vicente is also a goner. Where they will end up remains uncertain.

UST HAS a new athletics moderator as it guns for another general championship this Season 73.

After almost two decades of serving as a faculty member in the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA), Rodrigo Sambuang took on his first administrative job, replacing John Patrick Vicente effective last June 1.

Sambuang is now tasked to manage training camps, make sure athletes have everything they need come game time, and to release official line-ups.

“I still have to cope with several things demanded by the job description. I think I’m getting the hang of it now,” said Sambuang, who had been teaching PE subjects in UST for 19 years.

PINALUHOD ng San Beda College-Mendiola ang UST Golden Booters para sungkitin ang kampeonato sa iskor na 4-1 sa 5th Muntinlupa-Parañaque-Las Piñas Football Association na ginanap noong Hunyo 27 sa Alabang Country Club.

Hindi kinaya ng Booters ang koponan na kinabilangan ng magkapatid na James at Phil Younghusband na mga batikang manlalaro ng National Team.

“Sa second half, last fifteen minutes, sumuko iyong ibang mga players. Hindi pa nga tapos yung laro, parang tinanggap na nila na talo na,” sabi ni Golden Booters coach Marjo Allado.

Unang umiskor para sa San Beda si Fracis Dee Sumudivila sa unang 19 na minuto ng laro. Sumagot naman si Fidel Que sa ika-31 minuto upang itabla ang laban sa iskor 1-1.

HEIGHT—or the lack of it—will not matter for the Tigresses in Season 73. What they lack in size, they’ll make up with speed, agility and defense,

“I am confident that any player [in UST’s lineup] can handle the best of the other teams,” coach Juli Amos said.

Despite giving the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws a good fight last year, the Tigresses lost a close 71-74 decision which pinned them at fourth place.

Calling the shots for the UST Tigresses in her second straight year, Amos looked poised that these España-based cagebelles would secure a spot in the final four after a rigorous training during the off-season.

FRESH from their victory against the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags in Shakey’s V-League last May 27, the Lady Spikers will take a break and will not join the second conference of the tournament.

“Our players requested for a break,” coach Cesael delos Santos said in Filipino. “They needed to rest because of the continuous games in the last conference.”

To give consideration to NCAA teams which will be holding volleyball games this second semester, V-league is set to start on July 11, earlier than previous conferences which usually start in October.

In the meantime, the Lady Spikers sought to focus on their studies as well as their preparation for UAAP Season 73.

ALL OF a sudden, Johannesburg, South Africa has become the most popular place in the world.

Football fever is all over as the 2010 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup took center stage last June 11 as the most widely viewed sporting event in the world – except for Filipinos.

In the Philippines, FIFA has a limited reception in terms of viewership compared to the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. From professionals to students, tricycle and jeepney drivers to the ordinary man on the streets—everyone seemed to have followed NBA.

DE LA SALLE University isn’t alone in the history books anymore.

The Lady Spikers duplicated the Lady Archers’ historic three-peat run in the V-League by trouncing the San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Lady Stags in Game 3 of their epic four-setter clash at The Arena in San Juan last May 27.

UST snatched its sixth crown in seven seasons in dominating fashion by subduing a tough SSC-R squad in four sets, 25-20, 25-27, 25-12, 25-15.

“I am so happy because we have been working hard for this [championship]. I always tell them [the Lady Spikers] to be patient and keep focused to reach our goal,” a jubilant coach Cesael de los Santos said. “We are doing this to make the people, especially the fans, happy.”

The Lady Spikers controlled the tempo of the fourth set, anchored on kills from Mary Jean Balse, and consistent blocking from Rhea Dimaculangan and Denise Santiago.

UST struggled in the opening canto, allowing the Lady Stags to get the edge early, 2-5. But the opponents’ errors paved the way for UST to take the steering wheel, 9-7.

REIGNING UAAP champions UST Softbelles battered the heavily-favored Rizal Technological University (RTU) Lady Thunders, 3-1, to clinch the women’s crown in the Cebuana Lhuillier-National Softball Open last May 7, at Melvin Jones Park in Baguio city.

UST alumna and RP Blu Girl Esmeralda Tayag played the heroine’s role in the fifth inning when her run batted in (RBI) single gave UST the marginal point after a scoreless truce in the first four frames.
Tournament MVP Corazon Sobere immediately followed suit, propelling Season 72 Best Hitter Lani Sarmiento and Nelia Lara to home base in the sixth.