Tag: 2012

CULTURE spells the difference between a dance troupe and a cheering squad.

That’s why the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT) has kept its tradition of hiring an SDT alumnus as its coach, from Ryan Silva to Ramon Pagaduan IV.

“That culture makes us different from the rest of the dance troupes,” SDT adviser Edna Sanchez said. “We almost got someone from Bobcats, but the culture needed to be upholded.”

The sudden change in mentor, which happened two months before the UAAP cheerdance competition, might have caused “difficulties” in transition and adjustment for the squad, but Sanchez said “adapting” and “flexibility” were imperative.

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The UST Swimmers failed to secure a podium finish during the UAAP competitions held at the Trace College Aquatic Sports Complex from Sept. 27 to 30.

The Male Tigersharks placed fourth with 219 points, behind University of the Philippines (286), Season 74 champions De La Salle University (347), and this year’s top team, Ateneo de Manila University (365). The UST men’s team last held the crown in Season 71, which came after 19 years.

WILL Ateneo notch a fifth straight title or will it be a repeat of the outcome of the 2006 Finals?

The stage is set for another compelling showdown between the defending champions Blue Eagles and the UST Growling Tigers, as they disposed of separate foes in the Final 4 of the UAAP senior’s basketball competition.

The Tigers edged a young National University squad, while the Blue Eagles erased an 11-point lead heading into the fourth quarter to survive the De La Salle Green Archers. Thus, the Ateneo-UST encounter, a repeat of the 2006 Finals won in Cinderella fashion by the Tigers.

RECLAIMING lost glory will have to wait another year.

For the second consecutive year, the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT) failed to at least land in the Top 3 of the UAAP Cheerdance Competition and instead settled for fourth place at the packed Mall of Asia Arena last Sept. 22.

The group’s Rio carnival-inspired routine was not good enough in a field by the University of the Philippines Pep Squad, which equaled UST’s record eight cheerdance titles. Far Eastern University grabbed the second spot while the National University made history by entering the Top 4 for the first time.

Despite the debacle, SDT president Dan Dimaculangan commended the squad for what he described as its “best run” and for a performance “with the most energy.”

THE UST Tigresses absorbed a 54-74 beating against a relentless Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles to end their UAAP women’s basketball campaign at The Arena in San Juan last Sept. 16.

Maica Cortes steered UST with 17 markers and 17 rebounds, but shot a measly 5-of-16 from the field en route to UST’s sixth-place finish. Sarah Mercado paced the Lady Eagles with 18 points and seven boards.

Kim Reyes and Lore Rivera unloaded back-to-back baskets in the third canto to bring UST to within six, 35-41, with 2:29 left. But Ateneo’s Marie Aseron and Angelica Morales combined for seven straight points to close the quarter at 53-41 and shut the Tigresses’ comeback hopes.

AFTER playing catch-up most of the game, the Growling Tigers pulled off another come-from-behind victory over a gutsy University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 75-68, at the Mall of Asia Arena last Sept. 8.

The win fortified UST’s bid for a twice-to-beat-advantage in the Final Four following the defeat of four-time champions Ateneo de Manila University (10-2) and the nullified win of Far Eastern University (8-3).

Down 54-59 in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter, the Tigers found a savior in team captain Jeric Fortuna, who stepped up big after completing two consecutive three-point plays that gave UST the lead, 60-59.

The Maroons tried to fight back, but the Tigers put up a more aggressive play down the stretch.

THE UST Female Tennisters-A escaped past a pesky De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde squad , 2-1, to emerge as the intercollegiate women’s champion in the second Olivarez-Philta Open Tennis Championships at the Olivarez Tennis Courts in Parañaque City last Aug. 26.

The UST duo of rookie Honey Giles and Chrizanth Helar dropped their second game in the doubles match against the Blazers due to erratic attacks, 7-10. But sophomore Zaza Paulino played big for UST in the deciding match by trouncing Joanna Tan, 10-6, en route to the title.

WITH a new mentor on board, is the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT) finally on the road to redemption?

Ramon Pagaduan IV has taken over his former squad, seeking to carry the dance troupe back to the top. The SDT missed the Top 3 in each of the last three seasons, a grave disappointment for a team that won the UAAP cheerdance title eight times.

So the pressure is on the new choreographer, who replaced Ryan Silva, the SDT’s mentor for 10 years. Silva’s contract has expired.

“We were badly in need of a new choreographer, as training would be difficult without one,” said club president Dan Dimaculangan, who described Pagaduan as “versatile” and a “disciplinarian.”

A THOMASIAN clinched the eighth spot in the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) International Youth Chess Championship 2012- 9th Singapore International Chess Festival last Aug. 6-12 at the Nanyang Primary School in Singapore.

UST Woodpusher Normel Benigno de Jesus, the lone Filipino player in the Under-17 division, finished with 4.0 points after racking up three wins, four losses and two draws.

De Jesus prevailed over Li Peize (7th place) of China, Cameron Yung (9th) of Australia and Arani Akash (10th) of Singapore.

THE UST Tigresses succumbed to the stifling defense of Far Eastern University (FEU), 56-68, in their UAAP women’s basketball game at The Arena in San Juan last Sept. 9.

Kristine Siapoc steered the Tigresses with 14 points, while team captain Lore Rivera, who played with a right shoulder injury, contributed 11 points.

UST’s scoring leader Maica Cortes, who displayed double-double performances in recent games, was limited to four points, all from the foul line.

Karen Columna starred for the Lady Tamaraws with 25 markers, shooting 5-of-7 from the three-point line.