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Defiant and Fierce: PUP Lady Radicals seizes 2nd place in 29th NCRAA

Despite having a neophyte line-up, the PUP Lady Radicals displayed their prowess on the court, securing second place in the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) Women’s Basketball Division Season 29 finale against the CEU Lady Scorpions, 73-85, at the PUP Gymnasium on May 26, 2023.

The NCRAA’s return after a three-year hiatus presented unique challenges for the PUP Women’s Basketball Team that resulted in a lack of competitive experience, with the players facing difficulties in getting back into the rhythm of playing official games.

PUP Lady Radicals captain

Jobhie Jao shared that reaching the finals was both an “achievement” and a “privilege” for the team, and that “hard work and perseverance” got them through.

Jao attributed the team’s success and consistent performance throughout the tournament to their passion, unity, and pride which fueled their eagerness to win.

After their previous incohesive performance, the team doubled their training efforts, embraced their coaches’ and seniors’ guidance, and implemented open and honest communication to address team problems and misunderstandings.

Despite falling short of claiming the championship, the team’s motivation remained high due to the support of their coaches, family, friends, and the PUP community.

“I think naging motivation din

POST-PANDEMIC SPIKE

para sa amin ‘yong sinasabi sa amin palagi nila Coach na kaya namin makipagsabayan sa ibang schools kahit na hindi kami complete sa equipment and kinulang man sa height Naniniwala pa rin sila na kaya namin makapagbigay ng karangalan sa Sintang Paaralan,” Jao stated.

The PUP Lady Radicals deemed their NCRAA journey a tale of resilience and leadership, as they dedicate their achievements to aspiring athletes and demonstrate the strength of teamwork.

Manikang Pandigma, Chinchansu hold volleyball tryouts

Volleyball captains Summer Lunar of Manikang Pandigma and EJ Napagao of Chinchansu supervised tryouts in May 2023 to strengthen their teams and foster inclusivity within the College of Communication (COC) community.

Lunar, from the men’s volleyball team Manikang Pandigma, highlighted the need for tryouts as both she and her teammates are graduating students.

“Graduating students na kami. Simula noong nag-pandemic, nagstart kami [nang] kami na lang [ang] natitira. Nagpa-tryouts kami

PUP athletes bag medals at 33rd SCUAA-NCR Games

Jane Andes and Dave Carlos Jacinto kasi marami kaming kailangan na players kapag umalis na kami,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Napagao, from the women’s volleyball team Chinchansu, expressed the timely need for tryouts after implementing limited onsite classes.

“From the past three years kasi, ako [na] lang ‘yong natirang player from 2019, ‘yon kasi ang last. It was an internal conversation with my seniors na ipasasiya(the captain position) sa akin which is technically, I’m not yet ready kasi una sa lahat, three years iyong huli kong laro,” Napagao said.

When asked about their selection criteria, Lunar emphasized the equal significance of performance and the athletes’ attitude on and off the court, especially commitment.

Napagao considered various factors in selecting players, including their proximity to the school for training, time management skills, organizational involvement, and financial stability.

“Skills and commitment go hand in hand,” Napagao stated.

Despite the challenges of extending the clubs to all colleges, the team captains believed the new recruits would positively impact their teams and create a more inclusive volleyball club beyond COC.

The upcoming University Intramural (UI) tryouts allow everyone to participate and showcase their skills in the hopes of making the Final 15.

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) varsity teams secured an incredible harvest of medals across various sports at the 33rd State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association - National Capital Region (SCUAANCR) Games hosted by the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) from June 19-23, 2023.