Tag: No. 5

THE UST Female Shuttlers yielded to De La Salle University, while the Male Shuttlers got the boot early as both squads finished at fourth place in the UAAP badminton competition.

Saddled by a late-game debacle, the Female Shuttlers bowed down to the Lady Archers, 2-3, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall last Sept. 2.

After securing a Final Four slot at the expense of the University of the East, 3-1, in their sudden-death playoff match, the Female Shuttlers wasted a 2-1 lead as La Salle gained steam in the last two games to steal the win and the right to face Ateneo de Manila University in the semifinals.

DISTRICT 1 Philippines was hailed as the 2012 Big League Softball World Series Champions after crushing District 37 Westchester, California, 14-2, in a five-inning championship game in Vandenberg Park, Kalamazoo, Michigan last Aug. 9.

UST Softbelles Maria Luna Amparo, Kristine Joy Lacupa, and Charmaine Joy Oria put up valuable contributions in the team’s seven-game winning surge. The Philippine team earlier succumbed to Puerto Rico District 1 (Latin America) and California District 37 (West).

The Philippines was the first team from the “international region” to be crowned World Series champions in a tournament that gathered mostly teams from North and South America. Hedrix Ar-ar C. Caballe

THOMASIAN Jins bagged six gold medals in the 2012 MVP Best of the Best Taekwondo Championships at the San Miguel By The Bay Music Hall at the Mall of Asia last Aug. 26.

Tiger Jins Christian Al de la Cruz and Paul Romero each snared a gold in the seniors men division, while Justin Medina settled for third place in the event, which showcased top-calibre jins in the country.

In women’s play, rookie Abi Cham and national team standout Jade Zafra each brought home gold.

Bianca Go and Kristel Salmon also finished the competition with gold medals apiece in the juniors women division. Hedrix Ar-ar C. Caballe

IS THE Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT) losing its touch?

For the second time in three years, the SDT, winners of a record eight UAAP cheerleading titles, crashed out of the Top 3 and settled for fourth place in the 2011 Samsung UAAP Cheerdance Competition at the jam-packed Smart-Araneta Coliseum last Sept. 17.

The University of the Philippines Pep Squad topped the competition with its Madonna-inspired routine, and inched closer to match SDT’s UAAP record.

A surprise winner was the De La Salle University whose warrior-themed performance merited second place, their best finish thus far. Far Eastern University’s Arabian theme was good for third place in the competition that drew a mammoth crowd of 20,842.

IN A SEASON where they had been written off before it could even begin, the Growling Tigers exceeded expectations, barged into the UAAP Final Four, and gave the defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles a big scare.

But in the end, UST, which is celebrating its Quadricentennial anniversary, succumbed to a better team and was good only for fourth place.

The Tigers fought tooth-and-nail before the mighty Blue Eagles escaped with a 66-69 win in their semifinal match at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum last Sept. 15.

Despite the loss, coach Pido Jarencio saw positive things with the way his wards matched up against the Blue Eagles, who were to meet the FEU Tamaraws in a rematch of last season’s Finals.

THE ADAMSON Lady Falcons were too much for the UST Tigresses, who settled for third place following a 59-70 loss in their UAAP semi-final game at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym last Sept. 13.

Juvelyn Andaya gave another scintillating performance for UST with 16 points and five rebounds, but could not carry the Tigresses on her back in the face of Adamson’s tough defense. UST team captain Mary Silva and Joy Galicia contributed 10 points apiece.

Galicia scored four consecutive points in the shaded area to cut the Lady Falcons’ lead to five, 53-58, with 5:27 minutes remaining in the game. But Adamson’s Jinky Balasta knocked down back-to-back three-point shots to give the Lady Falcons more breathing space, 64-53.

ONE TEAM brought back the crown while the other was denied of a repeat.

The UST Tiger Jins lorded it over in the UAAP senior men’s taekwondo tournament via 5-0 sweep, but defending champions Lady Jins crashed to fourth place with a lowly 3-2 win-loss record at the Arena in San Juan last Sept. 17.

The UST Junior Jins swept the competition, 4-0, en route to their third straight title.

“The kids were really strong and the stat sheets clearly showed our advantage during the matches,” overall coach Dindo Simpao said.

In their championship bout, the Tiger Jins bested De La Salle University, 5-2.

THE UST Tiger Cubs missed the UAAP Final Four for the first time in five years, closing their season with a miserable 5-9 win-loss card.

The Cubs lost their last two games against the Adamson Falcons and the Far Eastern University, respectively, and settled for a miserable 5-9 win-loss card, their worst record since 2006.

The Cubs dropped a close one against the FEU Baby Tamaraws, 48-51, last Sept. 3, then bombed out against the Adamson Baby Falcons, 49-57 a week later at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym.

“(Missing the Final Four) was really painful, but we should play with more heart next season,” said coach Allan Ascue, who missed the services of injured key players Neil Ilarde and Joshua Almajeda early in the season.

THE LADY Spikers won the UAAP beach volleyball title after disposing of the Ateneo de Manila University team in their best-of-three series, 21-19, 21-16, at the University of the East-Caloocan sand courts this morning.

The men’s duo of Jayson Ramos and Mark Alfafara settled for a first-running up finish after losing to the defending champion Far Eastern University, 14-21, 17-21.

Maruja Banaticla battled through leg cramps and teamed up with Judy Caballejo to give the Lady Spikers their first championship since 2006.

“We trusted each other that we can win the game,” said Caballejo, this year’s MVP.

A STEEL-NERVED College of Commerce and Business Administration carved a three-peat grand slam championship drubbing the AMV-College of Accountancy, 25-15, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19 in the Thomasian Goodwill Games volleyball wars at the Padre Noval Court last September 6.

“They really showed what they’ve got by executing a great offense and defense,” said Commerce coach Francis Quesada.

Flaunting a steadfast offense against Accountancy, Commerce had a quick demolition through banking on the opponent’s muddled defense, 25-15, in the first set.

But Accountancy was unfazed, bouncing back through an onslaught from the tournament’s Best Blocker Paul Cruz. Their advantage continued with a service ace by Cruz punctuated the frame for Accountancy, 19-25.