Tag: 2013

DEFENDING champion UST overcame a 21-point deficit but committed costly errors down the stretch as Far Eastern University (FEU) escaped with a 71-68 win and booked the last spot in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) semis at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig last Dec. 3.

Luzon-Metro Manila champion FEU joined NCAA champion San Beda College, UAAP titleholder De La Salle University and Southern Islands champion Southwestern University from Cebu in the Final Four.

The shorthanded UST squad fielded only nine players. Forward Aljon Mariano was recovering from an ankle surgery done last October while Jeric Teng is now playing in the Philippine Basketball Association.

THE UST Golden Tigresses displayed awful offense as they bowed to defending champion De La Salle University in straight sets, 8-25, 25-27, 13-25, in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan last Dec. 8.

After a woeful first set, the Golden Tigresses regrouped and started the second frame with a 5-1 lead off back-to-back service aces from Jem Gutierrez.

La Salle answered with a through-the-block attack from team captain Abigail Maraño, which penetrated Pam Lastimosa’s outstretched hands to tie the game at seven.

It was a see-saw battle from then on as Carmela Tunay’s attack put UST ahead anew, 13-10, before Kim Fajardo made consecutive service aces to give the lead back to La Salle, 24-21.

THE UST Male and Female Tracksters settled for runner-up finishes as Far Eastern University (FEU) successfully defended both titles in the UAAP athletics tournament held at De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Oval from Dec. 5 to 8.

The Male Tracksters registered 299 points behind FEU, which finished with 378.5 markers en route to its fourth straight title. The University of the Philippines placed third with 211 points.

The Female Tracksters improved from their third-place finish last season, placing second to FEU with 394 markers. The 10-time champion FEU wound up wi th 451 points, while the University of the East (UE) placed third with 233 points.

THE UST Golden Booters collapsed in the second half and fell to a streaking Far Eastern University (FEU) squad, 1-3, in the UAAP football tournament at the FEU-Diliman field last Dec. 3.

With the match tied, 1-1, at the end of the first half, the Tamaraws broke the game open in the next half with relentless offense.

FEU picked up the pace and continuously attacked UST’s defense until Jesus Melliza scored a goal in the 62nd minute.

The Golden Booters had a chance for an equalizer less than two minutes later, but Ronald Batisla-ong missed on his penalty kick.

“The momentum could have shifted to our side had the penalty kick gone in,” coach Marjo Allado said.

THE UST Softbelles suffered a 9-0 beating at the hands of three-time defending champion Adamson University in the UAAP softball tournament at the Rosario Sports Arena in Pasig last Dec. 7.

Composed mainly of national team players, Adamson dominated early in the first inning, capitalizing on the Softbelles’ erratic pitching and blasting them with six straight points.

Elvie Entrina scored the Lady Falcons’ first two points as she registered two runs batted in (RBI) via a centerfield hit, before Luzviminda Embudo capped the inning with two hits as UST’s defense was caught napping.

SHE WAS expected to lead the UST Golden Tigresses this UAAP season, but she opted to turn pro.

Multi-awarded Tigress Maruja Banaticla waived her last playing year amid issues surrounding the women’s indoor volleyball team lineup.

“My name was highlighted and there was a question mark affixed,” the former Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player said in an interview with the Varsitarian regarding the list of players to be included in the Golden Tigresses’ lineup.

It came as a “shock” to Banaticla since she was conditioning herself for the upcoming volleyball season.

THE UST Lady Booters swept the University of the Philippines (UP), 2-0, in the UAAP football tournament at the Far Eastern University (FEU)-Diliman field last Dec. 1.

Striker Jennizel Cabalan started the scoring early and converted a goal for UST in the sixth minute. Lady Maroon Kali Navea-Huff attempted to tie 10 minutes into the game but was denied by the goalkeeper.

The Lady Booters got another goal, this time from Cabalan in the 27th minute.

In the 45th minute, UP’s Mary Rose Obra had a clear attempt from the right side, but UST’s defense forced her to miss.

UST's final run at the UAAP overall title will depend on the performance of its remaining squads.

Here is the last installment of the Varsitarian’s fearless forecast for Season 76.

BASEBALL
Last year: Third place
Prediction: Runner-up

Absorbing heavy blows from losing last season’s top pitcher and team captain Irvin Tuazon, Season 74 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Nikko Reyes and third base man Gerald Mitra, the UST Golden Sox need to work on chemistry among the players if they are to improve from last year’s third-place finish.

ASIDE from the Quadricentennial Pavilion, a new lair will soon be available for Thomasian athletes.

Temporarily known as the “Practice court with Mezzanine,” the new three-story building just beside the state-of-the-art Quadricentennial Pavilion will house facilities that could better cater to the needs of Thomasian athletes.

Fr. Roberto Pinto, O.P., director of the Facilities Management Office, said the construction of the arena was intended mainly to “utilize” the available space.

“We wanted to utilize the space through elevation rather than put up just three covered courts, which was the original plan,” he said.

SHIRMAR Felongco struck a game-tying header in the 84th minute as the UST Golden Booters salvaged a draw, 1-1, against National University (NU) in the UAAP men’s football tournament at the Far Eastern University-Diliman field last Nov. 26.

The UST squad had multiple chances to take the win in the last 10 minutes of the match, including stoppage time. One such opportunity was Patrick O’Neill’s header that hit the crossbar.

Despite NU’s goalkeeper failure to secure the ball, UST wasn’t able to capitalize on another chance at goal.

The Golden Booters had to scramble for the ball toward the end as they conceded a goal to NU via Paolo Salenga’s penalty kick in the 62nd minute.