Rnd 2 basketball, game 2, August 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.