The GUIDON Season 77 Sports Primer - 2nd Semester

UAAP Season 77 Primer SECOND SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

SPORTS EDITOR Chino C. Razon, AB PSY ‘15 WRITERS Robi R. Andres, Lorenzo C. Aycardo, Joseph J. Bautista, Raizza P. Bello, Faith R. Decangchon, Jeremias P. Esguerra, Beatrice T. Go, Gian Y. Go, Jamie S. Katigbak, Noelle M. Recio, Vincent D. Soliven, Cedric B. Teng Ampo

UAAP Season 77 Primer Mara D. Cepeda, AB COM ‘15 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Vernise L. Tantuco, BS CTM ‘15 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kimmy E. Pearson, AB SOS ‘15 MANAGING EDITOR Jan-Daniel S. Belmonte, BFA ID ‘15 DESIGN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS Andrea G. Beldua, Francine A. Bharwani, Joshua E. Cabalinan, Alexandra L. Huang, Pia R. Nicolas, Isabella Olivares, Chi D. Punzalan COPY EDITORS Vince M. Estrada, Tricia T. Lao LAYOUT ARTIST Jan-Daniel S. Belmonte INNER COVER AND CENTERFOLD PHOTOS Francine A. Bharwani

Blue Woodpushers

By Cedric B. Teng Ampo

PHOTOS BY ALEXANDRA L. HUANG AND JOSHUA E. CABALINAN

COMING FROM a disappointing University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 76 campaign, where they ended in seventh place, the Ateneo Blue Woodpushers are looking to bounce back this season. Their biggest competitor, the Far Eastern University, has dominated the

UAAP as they’ve won seven of the last eight championships.

Leading the charge of the team in the search of the Ateneo’s first UAAP chess crown is Team Captain Jan Garcia. He was the Rookie of the Year during Season 75 and took home gold medals in both the 75th and 76th seasons.

Joining him in the team will be holdovers Anfernee Bonifacio, Jayson Estores and Jude Que, and rookies Lorenzo Lat, Isiah Ciocon and Ricki Yao. Also joining the team is new Head Coach Roland Perez.

“The team underperformed last year because of inexperience; this year, the team will definite-

ly perform much better. We also have a lot of potential as we have no graduating players,” Garcia says about the team he’s leading to battle this season.

The potential for improvement is high for the Blue Woodpushers with a nice mix of youth and experience in this upcoming season.

Lady Woodpushers

By Cedric B. Teng Ampo

PHOTOS BY ALEXANDRA L. HUANG

FINISHING DEAD last in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 76 campaign, the Lady Woodpushers are another Atenean team looking to improve on their standing from last season. Along with other teams, the Lady Woodpushers are up against archrival De La Salle University (DLSU), a team that has

been dominating, with wins in five of the last six tournaments.

Leading the charge of the team in taking the Ateneo’s first UAAP chess crown since it was added to the league is Team Captain Brena Membrere.

Joining her in the team is a group of tested veterans. Setting the tone of the squad is freshman Ateneo law

student Nikki Capinpin, Juliepearl Catindig, Kristine Mariano, Selena Ragos Ty and rookie Jasmine Principe. Also joining the team is new Head Coach Mike Gotel.

“For this season, we are not expecting too much as we still lack players. The best we can do is probably rank two notches up or higher, like maybe fourth place,

or at most, third, because University of the Philippines and DLSU have a complete lineup of players,” Membrere says when asked about the team’s expectations.

With a stronger training regimen, new coaching staff and experience in the UAAP competition, the only way is up for the brainy sportswomen of Katipunan.

Blue Fencers

By Gian Y. Go

PHOTO BY ISABELLA OLIVARES

AFTER FINISHING second runner-up overall during last season’s University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the Blue Fencers look to prove that last year’s performance was no fluke.

In two different competitions for fencing—the sabre and the épée events—the team finished first and third, respectively. The Blue Fencers are eager to repeat another overall podium finish in Season 77 of the UAAP. With the graduation of three seniors, Miguel Sarmiento, Kevin Hao and last season’s Team Captain Kelvin Ingente, the Blue Fencers will have to rely heavily on their younger players. Leading the charge now for Ateneo is in the hands of last season’s Rookie of the Year Carl Delos Reyes, Team Captain Joao Celestino and the consistent performer, Derich Cabrera.

The foil group trains from Tuesday to Friday, while the épée and sabre group practices daily. Several players also participated in different monthly local tournaments while selected players travelled to Singapore for an open competition to further improve on their individual skills.

Fielding a younger yet experienced roster, the Blue Fencers are looking to improve on their impressive performance last season as they try to bag another championship for the Ateneo.

“I think, overall, the team did good last season. However, the team’s performance could still be improved,” says team veteran Spencer Galit as off-season preparation was key for the Blue Fencers. The team is preparing for the upcoming season with their training program designed based on their different blade divisions.

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA E. CABALINAN

Lady Fencers

By Robi R. Andres WHEN A team loses 10 of its veterans due to graduation, there is always a sense of uncertainty.

The once dependable performers are gone, replaced with an untested group of new recruits and rookies. Despite the circumstances, the Lady Fencers face the ambiguity of Season 77 with a defiant sense of optimism.

The Blue and White will feature Anya Elumba and Pat Paulo in the foil event this year. Despite their status on paper as new recruits, both have had plenty of experience playing for St. Paul College Pasig and Immaculate Concepcion Academy, respectively, in their high school days.

Meanwhile, Andrea Ignacio and Justine Joseph will provide the veteran presence for the Lady Fencers this time around. Ignacio will bring

PHOTO BY ISABELLA OLIVARES

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her experience as a silver medalist in the foil event while Joseph will look to make the leap in her second year in the sabre event.

On the other hand, Team Captain Mary Rose Hernandez will spearhead the épée competition for her team while simultaneously nurturing the talents of recruits Precious Castillo and Gabby Jimenez, among others.

Both rookies come from families of accomplished fencers, and

Hernandez says that she would not be surprised if these two followed in that tradition.

With only a handful of veterans left from the fourth-placed team last season, the Lady Fencers are certainly in an underdog position. However, Hernandez does not hesitate in showing confidence in her team, “I’m not frightened by this [season]. I’m actually excited to see how our new members will perform.”

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PHOTOS BY JOSHUA E. CABALINAN

Blue Booters

By Vincent D. Soliven

THE BLUE Booters are back with many fresh faces to make up for last University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season’s last place finish.

Over the preseason, the team focused on conditioning and fitness to play a more physical game.

A lot of communication between players on the field is also to be ex-

pected. Organization in both defense and attack is a main thrust for their new system led by their two new coaches, Paul Madrona and Fitch Arboleda. The team played in the Ang Liga tournament and the Philippine University Games last June and October, respectively, to test the new system and gauge player readiness.

all of whom he can see playing key roles this season. Superseniors Wilson Marcelino and Emmanuel Paredes are also called upon to be crucial to the squad’s performance. The team would be complete if not for the uncertainty about rookie striker Masyu Yoshioka’s eligibility to play this season.

Although key players like Filipino-Canadian goalkeeper Nick O’Donnell, defender Jico Noel, midfielder Valentino Calvo and playmaker Eric Figueroa were lost due to academics, 13 new recruits, with heads freshly skinned, have arrived to compete for the Blue Booters. Captaining the young team is Best Midfielder of

Mabanag shares that the team’s high potential must be coupled with obedience: “[At] the start, we have to follow the system, and [then] that’s when we can be creative.” As the Blue Booters already have the talent, discipline is the primary concern for an improved Season 77.

UAAP Season 75 and lone senior Mikko Mabanag, who praised the great potential of this year’s class of rookies. He called them intelligent players who precisely fit the system.

Mabanag commended rookies Julian Roxas, Jeremiah Rocha and Koko Gaudiel as well as the maturing sophomore Miel Soriano, PHOTOS BY CHI D. PUNZALAN

Lady Booters

By Raizza P. Bello

AFTER FALLING short of a finals slot last year, the Ateneo Women’s Football team (AWFT) is out to get the championship in the 77t h season of t he Universit y Athletic Association of the Philippines with a more experienced and trained roster. Last season’s crucial match against the University of Santo Tomas, which ended up in a draw, prevented the team to fight for the gold and landed them the third place.

PHOTOS BY CHI D. PUNZALAN

In preparation for this year, the Lady Booters have been sharpening their individual and group skills on the field with the help of Coach Robert Manlulo. Aside from their technical training, each AWFT member has also been strengthening her mental game, learning how to improve handling the pressure during matches.

Their improvement in this regard

is led by veterans Maan Cadayona, Leah Cruz, Cam Rodriguez and Team Captain Cecille Dayrit.

These ladies are suiting up for a more intense performance this season accompanied by youngbloods Kitkat Montelibano and Mariane Caparros. Expectations are high for Montelibano and Caparros as they hold the task of being the keepers for the Lady Booters.

Additionally, the team joined preseason tournaments to prepare themselves for the upcoming battles on the field. Out of all the tournaments, the AWFT were champions in the University Games and in an invitation by the International School Manila in the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools.

When asked about what she’s

looking forward to coming into the season, Dayrit exclaims, “We have been working on our runs and passes all throughout the year, so I look forward to playing with a more organized team. I have no doubt that the team is capable of being one of the top two teams this year, if only we overcome the pressures of the game.”

Lady Batters

By Lorenzo C. Aycardo SEASON 77 brings new hope to the Ateneo Lady Batters after a disappointing campaign last year.

After finishing at the bottom of the standings in Season 76 and losing a couple of their veterans in the process, the ladies have a lot to look forward to once the new season is underway.

The starting nine from last season saw six players leave the team. Co-captain Kat Altomonte is quick to admit that the team is new and lacks experience as they are short of veteran players.

PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA L. HUANG

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Lala Cruz, the other team captain, is positive about the team’s chances to redeem themselves from last season’s dismal performance, however. “Everybody has been training really hard this year and I want them to be able to show their hard work on the field,” Cruz remarks on the ladies’ drive to succeed.

Filling in for the void left in the roster are a quintet of rookies composed of Nicki Borromeo, Bea Parma, Kat Villa-Real, Abby Gutierrez and Binnie Monfort.

Borromeo—who played in the World Series representing the Philippines and Asia Pacific—and Parma were part of the National Capital Region team that was field-

ed in at Palarong Pambansa 2012.

They are expected to make an immediate impact in the games.

The ladies are also welcoming a rookie head coach into the fold who will be taking over the reins from Uly Mejia. Coach Dione Macasu will be ushering in a new era of Lady Batters softball come Season 77. With her new system, which focuses on building good team dynamics and simulating in-game situations, the ladies will certainly be playing a new brand of softball.

Despite all the new faces in the team, the Lady Batters have quickly meshed into one tightly knit bunch, ready to show the league what they’re capable of.

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PHOTOS BY FRANCINE A. BHARWANI

AD MAJOREM

DEI GLORIAM

Blue Netters

By Jeremias P. Esguerra COMING OFF a disappointing fifth place finish last year, the Ateneo Blue Netters hope to bounce back and redeem themselves in this year’s University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) campaign.

In a sport that is dominated by rivals De La Salle University and the back-to-back defending champions National University (NU), the team is hoping that with the right combination of young and veteran players, they can make some noise in the upcoming season. The team will feature new blood, as freshmen Erj Gatdula, Iyo Canlas and Ralph Antonio will be suiting up for the Netters this season, joining Gregorio Bilog, the team captain. Bilog expects the team to reach its full potential this season, and is hoping to cap off this year’s tournament with a podium finish.

PHOTOS BY PIA R. NICOLAS

Bilog says that the team is determined to bounce back, and has the desire to reach the top and make Ateneo a solid contender this season. “The team this year is a more bonded unit. We’ve trained together, won and lost together, and developed a better sense of team unity as compared to previous years.”

Being cellar-dwellers for the past few seasons, the only direction the team can go from here on is up, and they’re looking to overcome all the challenges that are coming their way. Bilog adds, “It will take a lot of work and a lot of dedication if we want to challenge [NU] this year, but I believe this team has what it takes to do just that. We’re hungry for that win and hopefully this is the year we get it.”

Lady Netters

By Jamie S. Katigbak THE 76TH season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines was a disappointing one for the Lady Netters as the team failed to secure a top four finish in a winless campaign. If the previous season was anything for the team, it was a tough but necessary lesson that fueled their dedication to prepare for this year’s competition and set their sights on victory.

With a winning mindset and a new training regime that inPHOTO BY ISABELLA OLIVARES

tum through their offseason campaign, care of a first runner-up finish in the University Games last October.

Although the prospect of glory on the lawn looks tough in the shadows of giants De La Salle University and National University,

cludes cross fitness training and running to cap off practice four times a week, the Lady Netters are set to perform physically and mentally going into Season 77. A berth in the Final Four will definitely be a challenge, but hopefully the experience of veteran players combined with some blue-blooded youth can tip the odds in the Netters’ favor. The chemistry between old timers and a new batch of perseverant recruits who have nothing to lose and everything to gain will definitely play a huge factor in the team’s quest for a medal.

Despite tasting defeat for the past few seasons, the Netters have been working tirelessly over the past few months to ensure that they never do so again. The team has been building momen-

PHOTO BY PIA R. NICOLAS

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third year player Shannin Olivarez is confident that the team has what it takes to swing for a podium finish. “Since it has been quite a roller coaster ride for the team, we are going to really step up this season and do everything that

we can in order to surpass the other universities.”

This year’s lineup will be hard to predict, and this in effect pushes us as a team to train harder in order to be prepared for whatever the season has set out for us.

Blue Tracksters

By Joseph J. Bautista

“WE HAVE one goal in mind, and that is to develop each other through competition,” says Co-captain Maki de Jesus on their mindset for Season 77 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Quality control has been the Blue Tracksters’ game plan since their fifth place finish in last year’s UAAP tournament.

Through new coaches and a whole new set of training methods, the plan has paid off so far.

The results spoke for themselves during their preseason preparations: “As we entered this year, we already exposed our rookies to a lot of college-level competitions,” says de Jesus on what Head Coach Mick Perez

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PHOTOS BY FRANCINE A. BHARWANI

has been doing so far. Despite half of the team being composed of mostly freshmen and sophomores, the Blue Tracksters still managed to show that they are a force to be reckoned with in their offseason performance. The seniors and superseniors were sent to an international meet in Hong

Kong last June; those who stayed competed in last May’s Philippine National Games.

During the first semester, the Blue Tracksters hosted their own friendly invitational meet in the Ateneo, with fellow UAAP and National Collegiate Athletic Association schools participating.

The team finally ended their preseason run with a bang with last October’s University Games in Iloilo, bagging four silver medals and six bronze medals.

With only two players from last season graduating, the team is still in a solid state to contend this year’s UAAP. Co-captain

Joel Magturo shares that although the championship is not out of the question, they would like to set their eyes on a podium finish first.

Whatever happens in Season 77, expect this young team to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming seasons.

PHOTO BY PIA R. NICOLAS

Lady Tracksters

By Joseph J. Bautista WHAT SETS this year’s roster of Lady Tracksters apart from the previous seasons’ is aggressiveness and newfound motivation.

The team underwent off-season changes right after last year’s sixth place finish in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

PHOTO BY PIA R. NICOLAS

Rizal Technological University in the final team standings. All of the members of the women’s team won at least one medal each. Improvement is well on its way, as personal bests have consistently been rewritten in these ladies’ individual efforts. “A lot of us have found our niches in terms of events,” says Rebancos.

With the changes in systems and a team hungry for UAAP glory, expect the Lady Tracksters to be a force to be reckoned with this season.

“The motivation for the track team is that we’re really short,” says Team Captain Arianna Rebancos, as the team only has nine members in their roster. Despite the lack of firepower, she adds that the team makes up for it with their desire to win. Their mindset in this year’s UAAP is focused on garnering enough points as a team in order to prove themselves as contenders.

Their road to change this year is rooted in veterans shifting to different events and getting

remarkable recruits. The Lady Tracksters experienced dramatic changes in their performances as evident in their preseason preparations. Being outnumbered doesn’t matter to these ladies come competition time as they’ve excelled in their latest performances.

In the recently concluded University Games in Iloilo, the Lady Tracksters managed to bag two gold medals and five bronze medals. They ended up finishing second place behind PHOTOS BY FRANCINE A. BHARWANI

SEASON 76 FIRST RUNNER-UP

Blue Spikers

By Beatrice T. Go COMING FROM a lackluster performance in Season 75, the Ateneo Blue Spikers went beyond expectations by landing on the second best spot of the podium last season. They are now setting their eyes on securing the championship title once and for all, as this season looks promising, with the combined efforts of skilled rookies and veterans.

PHOTOS BY ANDREA G. BELDUA

This year will feature rookies John Rivera, Jasper Tan and Raphael Santos donning the blue and white. National Collegiate Athletic Association Juniors Most Valuable Player (MVP) Rivera is immediately placed as the starting open spiker. Middle spiker Tan will be aiding the team in defense, with

his height of six feet and four inches being one of his assets.

Lastly, utility spiker Santos is famous for his skill in checking the ball off a blocker’s hands.

Aside from the rookies playing this season, the team also gained another prized recruit, Manuel Sumanguid III, who will be undergoing residency this season. He

is known for being awarded the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Juniors Best Libero for four years when he represented the National University High School.

Coming back this year are veterans Ysay Marasigan, Xavier Senoren, Tomie Rivera and Josh Villanueva, who are leading the team and preparing for their best

performances. Key players Season 76 Best Setter Ish Polvorosa, and Rookie of the Year and MVP Marck Espejo are also returning with more experience in the competition.

With a good set of players and early preparations for this season, the Blue Spikers are ready to give their best performances yet in Season 77.

Blue Batters

SEASON 76 BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS

By Noelle M. Recio AFTER LAST year’s whirlwind defense of a championship, the Blue Batters are ready to go for history and win back-to-back-toback in the upcoming 77th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Poised for another strong showing in this year’s tournament, the Blue Batters will try to match Adamson’s record for the most number of consecutive championships won (three), which they established last 2009.

The road to a three-peat will be much harder to achieve given not only the development of the other teams, but also the loss of several key players from last year’s lineup. Former Team Captain Kevin Ramos will be among the players that the team will be missing as he has already used all five years of his eligibility. Meanwhile, the Blue Batters will also be without the services of veteran underclassmen Leandro Banzon and Miggy Santos, who have both decided to pursue other opportunities off the field.

PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA L. HUANG AND FRANCINE A. BHARWANI

PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA L. HUANG

In order to offset the loss of these three players who proved to be vital in last year’s championship run, a total of nine rookies have been added to the Ateneo Baseball team. These nine new faces are Marquis Alindogan, Dino Altomonte, Radito Banzon, Jomo Filart, Kai Furusawa, Ryan Hilario, Kouichi Igarashi, Paulo

Macasaet and Gabby Tan. Alindogan, Furusawa and Igarashi have all lived overseas prior to coming to the Ateneo.

Tan and Altomonte, on the other hand, are the brothers of veteran Blue Batters Andy Tan and Johnny Altomonte. Additionally, Banzon is the cousin of former Blue Batter Leandro Banzon.

Of these nine rookies, Macasaet, who led the Blue Eaglets to a championship last season and won the Most Valuable Player award, is perhaps the team’s strongest recruit.

Seniors Chip Esguerra, Luis Puno and Dio Remollo are looking to strengthen the championship defense through their consis-

tent performances, while Captains Adriane Bernardo, Miguel Dumlao and Inigo Untalan are expected to lead the team through their composure. Coupled with superseniors Matt Laurel, Pelos Remollo and Andy Tan, these experienced winners will look to lead this year’s team to capture the third straight crown.

SEASON 76 CHAMPIONS

Lady Eagles

By Faith R. Decangchon FRESH OFF a historic championship stint in Season 76, the Ateneo Lady Eagles are now back in the running for another title run as they approach the new season.

Alyssa Valdez, last season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Finals MVP, says in a mix of English and Filipino, “We’re going to stick with what Coach Tai says and follow his happy, unity, ‘Heartstrong’ mantra throughout the season.”

PHOTOS BY ANDREA G. BELDUA

While this season’s run will not be easier than last year, veteran players are still in line for the team as they look to and continue the winning streak. Valdez returns to spearhead the team along with the ever-reliable Ella de Jesus and libero Denden Lazaro.

The veteran trio of Amy Ahomiro, Aerieal Patnongon and Mae Tajima, on the other hand, will provide the height the team needs for frontline offense and defense. Their presence on the

front line, with their blocks and unforeseen open attacks, are expected to be the team’s go-to strategy for crucial markers.

Last year’s rookie standouts Jia Morado and Michelle Morente will also look to dominate the courts with the same willpower and drive that were crucial to last season’s championship run.

Morado’s skillful placing of the ball and Morente’s powerful spikes are sure to provide a tandem the opponents will have to watch out for.

The team expects an even stronger lineup with the reappearance of former regulars Ana Gopico and Marge Tejada, who both spent a significant amount of time off to nurse their injuries last season.

Taking on coaching duties once again is Coach Anusorn “Tai” Bundit, who has made waves on the team’s performance ever since his appointment as head coach.

The team will count on his meditational and spiritual training ses-

sions to serve as anchors throughout the pressure-filled season.

The team’s championship stint may be their biggest edge for the season, but the competition is in no way lighter than before. Complacency is not an option, and the “Heartstrong” attitude will take over the team’s Season 77 campaign. The target is on these ladies, but the team remains dauntless as they face a whole new season filled with high expectations.

A Song for Mary We stand on a hill between the earth and sky.

Now all is still where Loyola’s colors fly.

Our course is run and the setting sun ends Ateneo’s day. Eyes are dry at the last goodbye; this is the Ateneo way.

Mary for you! For your white and blue!

We pray you’ll keep us, Mary, constantly true!

We pray you’ll keep us, Mary, faithful to you!

Down from the hill, down to the world go I; rememb’ring still, how the bright Blue Eagles fly. Through joys and tears, through the laughing years, we sing our battle song: Win or lose, it’s the school we choose; this is the place where we belong!

Mary for you! For your white and blue!

We pray you’ll keep us, Mary, constantly true!

We pray you’ll keep us, Mary, faithful to you!

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