Tag: Vol. LXXXVI

WITH THE addition of PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio in their coaching staff, the UST Growling Tigers are confident of a better campaign in the upcoming UAAP Season 78.

Patrimonio, who joined the team last July, replaced former “big man's coach” Estong Ballesteros.

The four-time PBA Most Valuable Player told the Varsitarian that he was reluctant at first to accept the job as a trainer. But his close friend Jonjon Villanueva, UST team manager was able to convince "The Captain” to finally agree.

“That time kasi iniisip ko pa kung paano ko sisimulan ‘yung pagtuturo sa kanila (post players) but syempre na-realize ko din na it's about time to share my knowledge sa post so sinabi ko ita-try ko dito sa UST,” Patrimonio said.

CARMELA Tunay’s impressive outing in the 12th Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference came to a screeching halt after suffering a nose injury during the Golden Tigresses’ battle with the Technological Institute of The Philippines Lady Engineers last August 2.

The veteran utility spiker underwent operation last Aug. 4 to fix her cracked nose bridge after a collision with team captain Pamela Lastimosa in the third set of the match.

The fifth-year veteran spiker said that returning to the game would depend on her condition during training as she still experiences minimal pain that hampers her usual game.

THE PHILIPPINE Korfball team, which consisted of Thomasians, settled for sixth place in the recently concluded International Korfball Federation Asia-Oceania tournament in Hsinchu, Taiwan last Aug. 2.

Team captain Jef Denzel Go was the lone bright spot after notching a Mythical 8 award. He scored a total of 20 points in six games.

His team, however, could only muster a 1-6 win-loss record for sixth place as they only beat Macau, 14-12. The Philippines lost its last match against India in a blowout, 17-45.

The UST Golden Tigresses won their sixth straight game after a pulsating 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, 17-25, 15-9 victory against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in the Shakey's V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference at the San Juan Arena last Aug. 22.

UST bucked a slow start and took a 2-1 lead thanks to their impeccable defense and balanced offense.

The Tigresses were able to fend off the Lady Maroons in the deciding set to remain at second place behind undefeated Ateneo with a 4-1 carry-over record in the crossover quarterfinals.

EJ Laure once again led the UST offense with 15 points while Ria Meneses added 10.

AFTER a successful first season, the Tigers Basketball League (TBL) will kick things off by coming home for its opening game on Aug. 26 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Like last year, the opening match will be an all-star game that will feature alumni Growling Tigers including previous UAAP Most Valuable Players Bal David, Gerard Francisco and Dylan Ababou, and former star players such as Danny Melencio, Jervy Cruz, and Jun Dizon.

For its second season, the league has expanded and will now field 10 squads headlined by the defending champion Red Cross. John Joseph Fernandez, dean of the College of Architecture will be the league’s new commissioner.

FOR UST Lady Jin Jocel Lyn Ninobla, taekwondo never stops.

After bringing home a bronze medal as part of the country’s poomsae team in the last Southeast Asian Games, Ninobla added two more gold medals to her collection after a successful stint in the Chuncheon Open International Taekwondo Championships and the World Taekwondo Hanmadang 2015.

It seems winning medals has been a tradition of the Ninobla household.

Jocel’s father Jojo, who was also a national team player, has been supervising his daughter’s training since she was 4.

“My father is my inspiration. He has always believed in me since I started. I think it’s the hope that he gives that inspires me a lot,” Ninobla told the Varsitarian.

THE UST Golden Booters notched their third straight win in the Ang Liga football tournament after edging the Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates, 1-0, at the San Beda College pitch last Aug. 16.

After starting their season with a loss against defending UAAP champions Far Eastern University, the Golden Booters rolled to three straight victories. They now sit at second place with a 3-1 win-loss card.

Midfielder Efren Menares drilled in the lone goal of the match off a Jason Rafol dish in the 32nd minute.

UST tried to convert again in the second half, unleashing six of their nine goal attempts. They also showcased stifling defense halting Lyceum’s swift attacks in the 58th and 63rd minute.

ALMOST a year ago during our retreat I described my life as a basketball game and sadly at that time, I was going through a rough stretch.

Fortunately, many came to my rescue, including the Varsitarian and eventually, I found a way to win that particular quarter. I’m not saying I’ve already won the game of life. But I’m not doing badly at it either.

To me, especially during the past year, the Varsitarian has been my saving grace. ‘V’ came through and knocked down a barrage of treys to help me get back on my feet. And for that I will forever be grateful.

Keeping the sports theme, let me use this final opportunity to turn this farewell piece into a “basketball game” filled with gratitude to the second family I never knew I would have.

THE UST Golden Tigresses clawed their way to a second straight win after surviving a pesky College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers, 25-12, 17-25, 25-21, 26-28, 15-7, in the 12th Shakey's V-League Collegiate Conference at the San Juan Arena last July 26.

The Tigresses showcased a balanced attack after five of their starters scored in double digits, led by veteran Carmela Tunay with a team-high 15 points, 12 coming from attacks.

With the game tied at two sets apiece, both teams went back-and-forth with the Lady Blazers only trailing by two points, 6-8, until UST pulled away with a crucial 7-1 run anchored by team captain Pam Lastimosa’s back-to-back aces.

Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) Department Secretary Gilda Camus said the University’s position won’t matter anyway as lawmakers had made up their minds.

"Whether we approve or disapprove, it’s a law. We have no choice but to implement it,” Camus told the Varsitarian.