UP sa UAAP Season 67

month-long absence

2004-10-12T11:32:00.000+08:00

a lot has happened since i last posted here.

just fixing up some photos then i'll post them later.

will provide update on first semester performance of the UP varsity teams.

later!

Volleyball, round 2 update

2004-09-06T21:02:00.000+08:00

Men's volleyball

August 29: UP defeated FEU, 3-1
Set scores: 25-13, 11-25, 25-14, 25-22

September 1: UP vs UST
Game postponed due to leaking roof brought about by heavy rains. September 14, 2 pm ang bagong schedule.

September 5: UP defeated AdU, 3-1
Set scores: 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18

Women's volleyball

August 29: UST defeated UP, 3-0
Set scores: 25-13, 25-17, 25-11

September 1: UP defeated NU, 3-1
Set scores: 19-25, 25-13, 25-13, 25-7

September 5: DLSU defeated UP, 3-0
Set scores: 25-13, 25-22, 25-17

Jrs. basketball update

2004-09-06T20:53:00.000+08:00

August 22: UPIS defeated AdU, 95-60

Unbelievable! Not the fact that we beat last year's number two, but the fact that we beat them by that much! 35 f*cking points! I was stunned, to say the least. Hoorah for the Junior Maroons!

September 4: DLSZ defeated UPIS, 61-60

Sayang ang game na to. Panalo dapat ang Junior Maroons kung hindi lang sila naging lax during the last quarter. Nahabol tuloy sila ng mga Alabang boys. Ang masakit pa dun, UPIS was up by two in the last few seconds of the game. Then, by some twist of fate, La Salle's Martin Reyes (who earlier bungled all his shots from the three-point line) sinks a shot from the arc with only two seconds left!

Ayun, luhaan ang mga IS boys. Sayang. I think napagalitan sila ng husto ni Coach Pat sa locker room after the game. The Junior Maroons must win all their remaining games para they'll have a twice-to-beat advantage pagpasok sa semifinals. They'll go against the NU Bullpups on September 9 and the Ateneo Blue Babies on September 12.

Bye-bye, semis!

2004-09-06T20:45:00.000+08:00

September 4: DLSU defeated UP, 70-52

Perhaps, it was because of the pressure. Perhaps, the lack of rest. Or perhaps, the absence of Marvin Cruz. Whatever it was, it made for a very bad UP performance.

The Green Archers stopped the Fighting Maroons winning streak and forced the State U cagers to kiss their final four bid goodbye. UP settles for fifth place na lang. Regardless of the outcome ng game nila against NU on Thursday, number five pa rin sila. At least, it's a better ranking than last season. Kung ang performance ng ibang teams ay maganda, malaki ang pag-asang mag-overall champion ang UP.

Notes:
--Ang yabang talaga ni Mac Cardona! Well, sa hardcourt anyway. Magaling siyang mag-mind games. It will really get to you and if you let it, talo ka. Yan na nga ang nangyari sa Maroons.
--Napaka-physically exhausting panoorin yung game kasi parang physically battered din yung mga players on both teams. Ang daming sikuhan, tulakan, murahan. Buti naman nakaganti din ang UP sa DLSU in terms of sakit ng katawan.

Long overdue post about men's basketball

2004-09-06T20:20:00.000+08:00

August 22: UP defeated Adamson, 66-55

AdU led during the first quarter at 14-20 pero the Fighting Maroons surged during the succeeding periods and moved on to bag their fourth straight victory.

Notes:
--AdU's Richard Alonzo should have been issued a warning as he was showering expletives at the UP cagers pero hindi pinansin ng mga referees.
--Falcon Mark Abadia was called for a disqualifying foul for hitting Maroon point guard Marvin Cruz in the face. Abadia was thrown out of the game.
--AdU's Leo Canuday is a strong contender for Rookie of the Year. He's a good player pero much can be said about his manners. Talk about uncouth!

August 28: UP defeated FEU, 61-56

Beating the defending champion is certainly one huge ego trip. I have not seen the crowd go so wild before. It was a very good game. Magaling ang kalaban pero it appears mas magaling tayo that day. Fifth straight win na! :-)

September 2: UP defeated ADMU, 74-69

This game was really charged with excitement. UP led all throughout the game, with Ateneo's biggest lead at 3 points during the first two minutes of the match. Try as they might, the Blue Eagles were unable to take a commanding lead over State U. Hanggang 1 point lang ang lamang nila.

Notes:
--Marvin Cruz was thrown out of the court for pushing LA Tenorio. Disqualifying foul plus one-game suspension ang binigay sa kanya. LA Tenorio was his usual mayabang self kaya ayun tinulak tuloy. Bwahahahahahaha!
--Sobrang trash talking sa court! That game was generously peppered with expletives.
--I never knew the Ateneo crowd could be so menacing and mean and uncouth. I was actually joking with Arshad na baka di na kami makalabas ng buhay dun sa Philsports Arena. Examples ng mga narinig namin:

"Ref, maghanda ka mamaya! Pag labas mo, papatayin kita!" Galing ito sa isang napakalaking mama kaya no comment na lang ako. Natakot talaga ako dun.

"Santos, matanda ka na! Umalis ka na diyan!" Ang sagot ko naman ay, "Huh?"

"Almeda, ang pangit mo! Umuwi ka na!" Hmm, parang gusto kong sagutin ng, "Bakit? Ang tingin niyo ba kay Tenorio gwapo? Besides, looks have nothing to do with the way a person plays basketball. Kung pagwapuhan lang naman pala ang pag-uusapan, eh di dapat sa ramp na lang at hindi sa court ang labanan. Sheesh."

--Itong mga nasa Ateneo crowd, ang hilig pang magtapon ng basura sa court dahil lang sa galit sila sa referees. Ang ultimate karma nga sana ay hindi natanggal yung basura sa court at nadulas ang isang Blue Eagle dun sa kalat while going for the drive. Hindi man lang naisip nung mga nagkakalat na baka isa pa sa mga players nila ang madisgrasya. Hay, pipol. Basketball lang yan. Hindi kayo mamamatay kung matalo kayo.

Rnd 2 basketball, game 2, August 15

2004-08-23T19:12:00.000+08:00

Back to back wins for State U!

The Junior Maroons won against the UE Pages, 74-68. This comes as no surprise as UPIS showed it can take on UE in the first round.

The more exciting game was the one that followed; between the UP Fighting Maroons and the UE Red Warriors. UP led the game from the start, ending the first quarter with a four point lead, 21-17. UE, however, managed to tie the game at the end of the first half at 30.

Being the maroon-blooded fighters that they are, the UP cagers brought back the lead to the State U at the end of the third quarter, 50-40. It was smooth sailing after that. With Paolo Hubalde performing badly and KG Canaleta out of the game (Coach Dindo Pumaren did not put him back in the game after his very dismal performance in the first period), the Red Warriors did not have the chance to challenge the Fighting Maroons' lead.

The Fighting Maroons ended the game at 56-57.

Rnd 2 basketball, game 1, August 12

2004-08-23T18:33:00.000+08:00

Seniors

The Fighting Maroons banked another win! This time, in their first game in the second round. Going head to head with UST, the UP cagers amazed the Araneta Coliseum crowd with their performance. The Growling Tigers were stunned by Maroons' attacks and solid defense. Leading the game from the start, UP recorded its biggest lead in the game at 18 points, 45-27, during the second quarter.

During the second half, UST tried to overcome UP but only came up four points short, 72-68. Try as they might, the Tigers failed to slow down the Fighting Maroons. In the end, UP emerged victorious with a five-point lead, 79-74.

Juniors

After ending the first round with only one loss, the Junior Maroons faced their greatest opponent again in the second round of UAAP basketball, the UST Growling Cubs. The España dribblers have not lost a single game and they were the only ones who beat the Katipunan cagers in the first round.

The Cubs led the game from the beginning until a shot by Maroon Alvin Villanueva forced a deadlock at 51, four minutes into the fourth quarter. A three-pointer from teammate JM Aranas opened the way for a State U lead at 54-51. UST regained its lead with a free throw and a three-point basket, however.

Another basket from the paint was sunk by Villanueva and brought back the lead to UP. A free throw from Dex Oliveros made it a two-point ballgame with UP in the lead at 57-55, with only 54 seconds remaining. With UST's Oscar Crisostomo out of the game, having incurred 5 fouls, it was a sure win for UP. A buzzer beater from Cub Darryl Basa tied the game, however, at 57 apiece, and forced it into overtime.

26 seconds into OT, Maroon Miggy Maniego committed his fifth foul and left the game. The teams matched each other point for point and the game was tied yet again at 61, with 3 minutes left in the ball game. Oliveros sank three points for UP and paved the way for another lead. Basa of UST once again made a two-point field goal that cut the lead to one, 68-67, with only 22 seconds left. Another buzzer beater from fellow Tomasino Hector Badua left UP stunned as UST clinched another win against the State U, 69-68.

Volleyball game 7, August 22

2004-08-23T18:30:00.000+08:00

Men's volleyball: UP vs DLSU

Finally, the top two teams in UAAP volleyball collide in the first round closing game. Touted as a must-see match, the Fighting Maroons faced the Archers in what proved to be one of the most exciting games in this volleyball season.

The Katipunan spikers took the first two sets at 25-20 and 25-13, respectively. But the Archers were not about to surrender and claimed the third and fourth sets, 25-23 and 25-16, to force a race to fifteen. It was do or die for both teams as they were hungry for the win.

Too bad for DLSU, UP beat them at 15-12. The Fighting Maroons are on top at the end of the first round with 7 straight wins and no losses. Whoopdedoo!

Women's volleyball: UP vs ADMU

Victory at last for the Lady Maroons! After suffering 3 straight losses, they add a win to their card. They toppled the Lady Eagles in 3 straight sets: 25-19, 25-21, 25-18. :-)

Volleyball game 6, August 15

2004-08-23T15:40:00.000+08:00

Men's volleyball: UP vs UST

We won! We won! Our record is still untarnished by a loss. The Fighting Maroons claimed their sixth straight victory in the first round of UAAP volleyball: 25-17, 25-20, 25-22. Looking at the scores, the Growling (whimpering?) Tigers tried to put up a fight but with UP's solid blocks and strong attacks, it was no surprise they easily toppled the Tomasinos.

Women's volleyball, UP vs FEU

It's our third straight loss. After crumbling in their matches against UE and UST, the Lady Maroons buckled under pressure yet again. They lost 3 sets to 2: 18-25, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19, and 15-8. Had the Lady Maroons won the race to fifteen, this match would have been added to their win card.

W. basketball recap

2004-08-23T15:19:00.000+08:00

Since I haven't posted for a long time, I'll just give an update on the last two games of the Lady Maroons in the first round.

First up, UP vs ADMU (Aug. 15). Unfortunately, we lost by five points, 57-52. Even with Joan Roma and Jaclyn Cruz putting in the big points, the UP team was never able to recover from the Ateneo onslaught. Armed with height advantage, our Katipunan neighbors easily gained the lead and won. Hmph! Watch out na lang sila sa second round.

Next, UP vs AdU (August 22). It's our second straight loss, 56-49. This time, against the defending champions. They're a really tough team to beat. Who will move on to the finals? Only the second round will tell.

At the end of the first round, UP stands with 3 wins and 3 losses to claim the number 3 spot together with DLSU. AdU is at the top with 5 wins and 1 loss, while FEU and ADMU are tied at second place with 4 wins and 2 losses. Number four is UST with 2 wins and 4 losses.

W. basketball game 4: UP vs FEU

2004-08-13T17:16:00.000+08:00

So, I totally missed this match yesterday morning at the AdU Gym. I really forgot. Besides, having come from a terrible bout with the flu, I wasn't really raring to go to Manila on a particularly humid day. Well, that's my excuse. I'm sorry.

All I know is that the Lady Maroons won against the Lady Tamaraws with a five-point deficit, 52-47. Many thanks to the CHK Varsity Office for giving me the info. Hehehe.

Jrs. basketball game 6: UPIS vs AdU

2004-08-13T17:12:00.000+08:00

Last year's second to the last battled it out with last year's second at the Araneta Coliseum, August 8. The Junior Maroons finally faced the not-so-formidable-anymore Adamson Baby Falcons for their last game in the first round.

Due to the loss of Jomar Canuday and William Johnston (they went to the seniors team), the Baby Falcons found themselves at the mercy of the UPIS players. It was a reversal of fortune indeed. The Junior Maroons gained their fifth win.

Quarter scores: 20-8, 31-22, 43-42, 59-52

Noteworthy performances:
----Alvin Villanueva scored 14 pts, with 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal
----Miggy Maniego went double double with 13 pts, with 11 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 assist
----JM Aranas gained 11 pts, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals
----DA Olan had 7 pts, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal

Srs. basketball game 7: UP vs NU

2004-08-13T17:11:00.000+08:00

Thank god, they finally won! I wasn't able to watch this game as I was busy being an UPCAT proctor. I was, however, able to get a copy of the stats when I covered the juniors match that came later that night.

Quarter scores: 21-15, 36-25, 59-40, 69-56

Volleyball game 5: August 8

2004-08-13T16:16:00.000+08:00

Men's volleyball: UP vs ADMU

The Fighting Maroons defeated the Loyola spikers in three straight sets: 25-20, 25-16, 25-18. The UP men's volleyball team remain undefeated with five wins.

Women's volleyball: UP vs UST

Unlike their counterpart, the Lady Maroons failed to gain victory and slid down with three losses and two wins. UST slammed UP in three straight sets: 25-15, 25-23, 25-15.

Jrs. basketball game 5: UPIS vs UE

2004-08-13T15:44:00.000+08:00

Hooray for the Junior Maroons! They won their third straight game (after their loss to UST) last August 5 at the Philsports Arena, 73-67.

Here are some starting 5 stats:
JM Aranas -- 18 pts -- 7 rebounds -- 3 assists
Earl De Peralta -- 14 pts -- 3 rebounds -- 2 assists
Alvin Villanueva -- 12 pts -- 17 rebounds -- 3 assists (wow, double double!)
Miggy Maniego -- 8 pts -- 16 rebounds -- 1 assist
DA Olan -- 7 pts -- 3 rebounds -- 4 assists

Courtside chika
According to some of the UE high school students, they found these Junior Maroons gwapo:
Alvin Villanueva
DA Olan
Earl De Peralta
Jabby Bautista
JM Aranas (one girl said he's very macho daw...hay, high school girls talaga)

These kids from UE were sitting behind me the whole time. Actually their conversation went something like this...
Girl 1: Tingnan mo, ang gwapo ni number 4 (Villanueva)
Girl 2: Si number 16 din at yung 19
Girl 1: Sino yung cute na nasa bench? Sana ipasok siya.
Girl 2: Saan? Tingnan mo muna si Aranas. Ang macho niya no?
Girl 1: Ayan yung cute, si Bautista.

Eventually, some of the other UE girls were talking about the UPIS boys and were actually cheering for them. Here's another amusing conversation...
Girl: Go UP!
Bading: Gaga! Bakit ka nagchi-cheer para sa UP? Isa kang traidor!
Girl: Mas gaga ka pala eh. Gwapo sila, pangit ang players natin!

It was at this point that I really had to laugh. These kids were nuts!

Srs. basketball game 6: UP vs FEU

2004-08-09T14:43:00.000+08:00

Sige, ha. You boys listen to what the coach is telling you.

Another disappointing but nonetheless exciting game at the Philsports Arena was the Fighting Maroons' match against the Tamaraws last August 5. So, there I was sitting sa may bandang goal ng FEU during the first half, taking notes and all that. Nakikipag-chika minsan with some sports photogs from the dailies. Come second half, goal na ng UP ang pwesto ko.

And what do you know? There were so many spills that day sa baseline that I was literally sprinkled with Fighting Maroon pawis. Yup, my notes and my clothes were dotted with the sweat of Nestor David Jr., Bruce Quebral, and Josant Cervantes. In fairness, nung natumba si Josant at nagulat ang inyong lola tamadita, nahawakan ko ang legs niya kasi I was trying to prevent him from totally slamming into us. Hmmm, he's got firm legs, very muscular. Matigas. And he smelled nice, actually. Parang bagong ligo or something. Basta he smelled clean. Hehehehe. La lang.

Anyway, UP lost the game at 63-56. :-(

because i'm nice

2004-08-06T19:10:00.000+08:00

I'm posting three grayscale photos of some Fighting Maroons. These were taken during the 66th UAAP post-season.

Artemio Ferdinand "Toti" Almeda
Fondly called "Captain Ninja" by some UP fans, Toti is known for his killer moves on the hardcourt. Proudly leading the State U cagers in his last year as a Fighting Maroon, Toti is certainly one player to watch out for. He knows when to take the open shot and when to pass the ball. His stint in the PBL has helped him mature as a player and improved his capacity as a leader.

Josant Cervantes
Co-captain of the Fighting Maroons, Josant is known for his aggressiveness on the court. Each game is a showcase of his skill and talent in basketball. He not only plays hard, he also helps Toti lead and guide the team. Together with Toti, Josant also played in the PBL and has gained enough experience to make him a better collegiate baller. Not one to give up until time runs out, Josant is an image of strength, displaying the heart of a true-blooded Fighting Maroon.

Marvin Lu Cruz
This former UPIS hotshot is no longer the rookie that he was last year. More confident and mature in his game, Marvin realizes the hardwork that comes with being in the seniors league. Though sometimes swamped with his 15-unit school load, "Marvelous Marvin" finds time to balance what he loves to do, which is basketball, and what he has to do, which is schoolwork. Basketball aficionados have predicted that this kid is going places.

final four hopeful

2004-08-06T19:03:00.000+08:00

So far, our women's basketball team has lost only one game this season, so I'm still hopeful that we will be able to get into the finals. The picture below was taken during the finals last season with the Lady Maroons going up against the Adamson Lady Falcons. Diana Torres (light), who's no longer with the team because she graduated, goes head to head with Dorothy Torres (dark), a member of the national pool.

women's volleyball game 4: UP vs UE

2004-08-04T15:24:00.000+08:00

Sayang. Them Recto red ladies slammed the Lady Maroons three sets to one: 22-25, 25-27, 26-24, 21-25. If you weren't at the UP Gym kanina, look at the set scores na lang. UP could have won sana. It was still a very close fight, however. That Roces player from UE is really really good. She's one to watch out for. On the State U's side, commendable ang performances nina Katrina De Lara, Karla San Diego, Miah Manukay, Cyndy Quimada, France Crescini, Jackie Montefrio, Shiela Salaysay, and Jolina Hernandez. Kudos to the UP volleybelles!

men's volleyball game 4: UP vs NU

2004-08-04T15:17:00.000+08:00

Today, the fourth of August, marks the fourth consecutive win of the UP Fighting Maroons. They butchered the NU Bulldogs in three straight sets: 25-14, 25-18, 25-15. Enough said. :-)

Srs. basketball game 5: UP vs DLSU

2004-08-04T14:59:00.000+08:00

GRRR!!! T*ng#na talaga!!! Pardon the language, people, but we should have won this game! I'm sure you've all seen the game on TV if you didn't watch it at the Philsports Arena last August 1. It was horrible, just horrible. We were up by 15 f*cking points, for crying out loud! I can't help being so galit and disappointed because I was sitting on the court, wringing my hands in excitement because I thought it was in the bag. Well, it was in the bag...in the DLSU bag that is.

Up until the last two minutes of the game, I was amused by the DLSU photogs beside me because they looked like they were praying to the high heavens for the win, which, as I stated earlier, I didn't believe they were going to get. Damn me for being the non-practicing Catholic/taga-UP that I am. In my mind kasi, I was making fun of these animo/rektikano kids na parang sobrang obssessed with winning a silly basketball match. It isn't so silly after all when you think you're on the winning end and then suddenly, you're not anymore. This is, in my opinion, the most heartbreaking loss for the State U so far, 69-68. Waaaaahhhh!!!

women's volleyball game 3: UP vs NU

2004-08-04T14:42:00.000+08:00

I know this will sound really mean, pero like the Junior Maroons' game last July 31 at the Philsports Arena, this volleyball match was no biggie. The game was held last August 1 at the UP Gym with set scores at 25-14, 25-15, 25-15. Obviously UP ang panalo no!

O, siya, para naman hindi dehado ang women's volleyball team, eto rin ang lineup nila:

1 Jackie Ann Montefrio----team captain
3 Karla San Diego
4 Cyndy Quimada
5 Anne Louise Diokno
6 Benelee Villarico
7 Jennifer Anne Ablan
8 Miah Rose Manukay
9 France Astrud Crescini
10 Jolina Rae Hernandez
11 Katrina De Lara
12 Ma. Natalia Guillermina Moran
13 Danielle Michiko Castañeda
15 Sheila Marie Salaysay
17 Charisse Mae Acdal

chika/trivia:
Jennifer Ablan is the girlfriend of JayR Reyes. If you miss that former Fighting Maroon, watch the volleyball games during weekends and you just might spot that 6'7" ex-UP cager.

men's volleyball game 3: UP vs FEU

2004-08-04T14:33:00.000+08:00

It was hard but it had to be done. The FEU men's volleyball team is a really strong team judging from last season's performance. Aside from DLSU, they're really a tough team to beat. But our Fighting Maroons did it, three sets to one: 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-19.

I think I haven't posted the team lineup yet, pero better late than never, di ba? Eto na:

1 Nikko Andrew Fajardo
2 Immanuel Villapando
3 Virgilio Vizcarra Jr.
4 Guarenio Gianan Jr.
5 Jerrico Hubalde----team captain
6 Joseph Ramos
7 Jerome Liñgo
8 John-John Mendoza
9 Paolo Martinez
10 Raphael Ordoñez
11 Jason Almario
12 Lino Antonio
14 Mark Joseph Lopez
18 John David Reyes

women's basketball game 3: UP vs DLSU

2004-08-04T14:06:00.000+08:00

What can i say? We lost to one of the final four contenders last season.

DLSU was off to a very strong start during the August 1 game and UP was disabled by errors and missed shots, with the first quarter closing at 21-13. At least the Lady Maroons' game picked up during the second quarter, where they banked 11 points against the green ladies' nine, ending the first half with a score of 30-24.

By the start of the second half, the crowd at the AdU Gym saw a more aggressive UP team, but attitude was not enough as La Salle had plenty of it to go around that day. The third quarter ended at 49-35 with DLSU still in the lead. Just like diesel, however, UP heated up and showed a strong campaign for victory.

Sinking 20 points for the State University in the fourth quarter, the Lady Maroons clearly wanted to pound the Archerettes (and no that's not really what they're called, ito lang ang nickname na bigay ko sa kanila...hehehe) by destroying the DLSU defense. La Salle was only able to add nine points to their name in the last quarter. Despite the outstanding performance of UP, it still came up three points short at 58-55. Derrr...

Jrs. basketball game 4: UPIS vs NU

2004-08-03T21:04:00.000+08:00

I'm not surprised that we won this match last July 31 at the Philsports Arena. We've always beaten the NU Bullpups kaya it's no biggie, really. Quarter scores: 29-8, 46-29, 66-47, 81-60. Top five scorers for UPIS: Earlson De Peralta 22, Jerome Aranas 18, Alvin Villanueva 8, Andrew Marfori 6, Carlo Cruz 6.

I found this picture after many months

2004-07-30T19:21:00.000+08:00

Our photographer took this picture last UAAP season at the Araneta Coliseum. The Fighting Maroons were watching the Junior Maroons game which came before theirs. From left to right: Josant Cervantes, Nestor David Jr., Toti Almeda, Vicmel Epres, Jacob Manlapaz, and Marvin Cruz

Women's volleyball game 2: UP vs DLSU

2004-07-30T16:40:00.000+08:00

Haaaayyy... we lost in 3 straight sets: 25-15, 25-21, 25-21. After seeing the men's volleyball team win, the women's team's loss is kinda depressing. Oh, well. The DLSU women's volleyball team is pretty strong so I guess, better luck next time na lang for UP. I hope they win their game on August 1. :-)

Men's volleyball game 2: UP vs UE

2004-07-30T16:23:00.000+08:00

After the juniors basketball game yesterday, I went back to the office and then straight to the UP Gym for the volleyball games.

The UP Fighting Maroons played their second game of the volleyball season against UE. As expected, they slammed the Recto athletes in 3 straight sets: 25-15, 25-18, 25-14. Woopdeedoo! I'm confident we'll make it to the finals again. :-)

Jrs. basketball game 3: UPIS vs DLSZ

2004-07-29T20:12:00.001+08:00

Coming from a not-so-disappointing 2-point loss to UST, the UPIS basketball team faced the Alabang boys in their 3rd game of the season. The DLSZ team was one of the strongest contenders in the junior basketball division last year. As I have mentioned in my previous entries, however, the Junior Maroons have really improved.

The first 2 quarters saw the UPIS contingent match DLSZ's points and led by the end of the first half. During the 3rd quarter, the little lasalistas from the south became more aggressive in their ball-handling. I couldn't believe my eyes. La Salle (as well as Ateneo) are quite known for their premium on sports, specifically basketball. To see their players struggling was really something. It's not like I'm making fun of them or anything, it's just that I was amazed that they made all these unnecessary errors. Well, at the end of that quarter, DLSZ led by 1 point at 40-39.

In the last quarter, I was confident that we were going to win. Sobrang bilib ako sa paglalaro ng Junior Maroons. Ang galing! I think much of this could be attributed to Coach Patrick. Even if his first season with them wasn't spectacular, the team is certainly making up for it this year. Anyway, UPIS won, of course. The final score was 52-47.

P.S.
That Simon Atkins from DLSZ is really cute, in that tisoy kind of way. Wala lang. May older brother kaya siya? Teehee.

Srs. basketball game 4: UP vs ADMU

2004-07-29T20:11:00.001+08:00

Since it was my killer Sunday, I covered the women's basketball game at the AdU Gym, then went to cover the men's and women's volleyball games at the UP Gym, then proceeded to Araneta Coliseum for the seniors basketball match.

It was game 4 for the Fighting Maroons and they faced last season's 1st runner up, the ADMU Blue Eagles. What can I say? UP was off to a pretty good start, considering they were only down by 5 at the end of the 1st quarter. During the second quarter, Blue Eagle Larry Fonacier was injured and his teammates really stepped up their game. A brawl almost broke out between both teams as UP's Josant Cervantes tried to steal the ball from ADMU's Paolo Bugia, who got the offensive rebound. Well, fellow Blue Eagle LA Tenorio tried to join in the scramble and in the flurry, Cervantes accidentally tore Tenorio's jersey. Wawa naman. ;-P Anyhoo, UP trailed with a 13-point deficit at the end of the second quarter.

During the 2nd half, the Fighting Maroons really tried their darnedest to make up for their misses and errors during the first 2 quarters of the game. Unfortunately, they were unable to close the gap and lost their fourth straight game this season at 72-63. Noticeably absent was Head Coach Lito Vergara who was reportedly sick. In my opinion, though, Bong Arroyo is more efficient in player rotation. Since Vergara's absence, UP's performance has been improving. Just an observation.

Women's volleyball game 1: UP vs AdU

2004-07-29T20:11:00.000+08:00

The second UP volleyball match that same day was in the women's division. The State University volleybelles also played against Adamson.

AdU won the first set at 25-16 but UP regained their composure and went on to win sets 2 and 3 at 25-18 and 25-16 respectively. UP needed only one more set to claim victory. The volleybelles, however, slumped during the fourth set and AdU won with a score of 25-6. It was a dismal performance and I still cannot understand why anyone would jeopardize a chance for the win. I mean, why did they slack off during what could have been the last set? But no, they tied with AdU at two sets apiece. And so came the deciding fifth set. Thank god, UP won the race to fifteen with a six-point deficit against AdU.

Women's basketball game 2: UP vs UST

2004-07-29T20:10:00.001+08:00

The Lady Maroons are out to prove they can go into the finals again. In their second game at the AdU Gym last July 25, the UP women cagers tamed the ballers from the royal, pontifical, catholic university (hehe, couldn't resist writing that) at 61-55. Top scorer for UP is Jaclyn Marie Cruz with 20 points. Followed by Joan Roma with 11 and Ma. Ana Tolentino with 10.

Their next game is on August 1. Another shot at the finals coming up!

Men's volleyball game 1: UP vs AdU

2004-07-29T20:10:00.000+08:00

The UP men's volleyball team is still a pretty strong contender for the championsip. Even with the departure of Jarrod Hubalde and Paolo Herras, their performance is still pretty commendable. This year's captain ball is Jerrico Hubalde, brother of Jarrod, cousin of Derrick and Paolo Hubalde (Derrick was part of the UST men's basketball team while Paolo is playing his last basketball season with the UE Red Warriors).

UP's first game of the season was against Adamson University last July 25 at the UP Gym. We won three straight sets: 25-21, 25-17, 25-17.

Srs. basketball game 3: UP vs UST

2004-07-29T19:45:00.000+08:00

Some courtside chika during the July 22 match at the Araneta Coliseum:

1. During the 1st quarter, Christian Luanzon of UST complained to the referee that he was "punched" by Fighting Maroon Aby Santos. Of course, the referee didn't rely on Luanzon's word. As a rule, if they don't see it, they don't call it.

2. During the 4th quarter naman, UP's Ira Buyco ran towards UST's Jun Cortez and tried to steal the ball before it got to the Tigers' court. Nagkabanggaan sila sa gitna at harap pa ng mga officials. Buyco looked fine but this Cortez person really displayed an award-winning performance, lying on the floor and clutching his stomach. Like his teammate, Luanzon, Cortez told the referee that he was punched in the side by a Fighting Maroon. Sheesh! The funny thing was, the ref said, "Nagkabanggaan lang kayo eh. Wala akong nakitang iba." Enough with the drama, please!

3. Despite my being a true-blue (or should that be maroon?) UP supporter, I can't help but say that these Growling Tigers are such cuties: Christian Luanzon, Loureck Tong, and Chester Taylor.

That's about it.

Jrs.basketball game 2: UPIS vs UST

2004-07-29T19:29:00.000+08:00

This post is actually long overdue and all the ideas I had when the game just finished have gone down the drain. Forgive the lack of enthusiasm and emotion. Hehehe.

I thought we were going to win. After our strong performance against the defending champions, I had a strong feeling that victory was in the bag for UP. I was wrong. But not disappointed, though. We only lost by two points, 61-59. Even Coach Patrick Aquino was pleased with the team's game at the Araneta Coliseum last July 22.

UP Lady Maroons game 1

2004-07-29T19:19:00.000+08:00

It's the Lady Maroons vs the UE Amazons!

UP Fighting Maroons game 2

2004-07-29T19:16:00.000+08:00

Photos by Aaron Vicencio as posted on http://www.uaapgames.com

UP vs UE

UP Junior Maroons game 1

2004-07-29T19:07:00.002+08:00

We beat the defending champions in our season opener!

UPIS vs ADMU

UP Fighting Maroons game 1

2004-07-29T18:51:00.000+08:00

Josant Cervantes sinks 3 for UP!

Click here to read my thoughts on UP's first game of the season: UP vs Adamson

Here's the second part.

Welcome to my new blog

2004-07-29T16:58:00.000+08:00

I should have thought of this earlier. My personal blog is currently cluttered with UAAP posts and that's the reason why I decided to create this one. The succeeding entries are just links because I don't want to copy-paste my previous entries in tamadita about the UAAP games. Classic example of my being tamad. Hehehe.