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8
JULY 2016
DIVING. Julie Ann Samonte, Lady Stinger’s Libero, dives to save the volleyballs dropped by Coach Arman Deogracia during practice last July 28 at the Covered Court, in preparation for the upcoming NOPSSCEA.
Negros victorious at friendship game against South Korea Team Negros came together to clinch a 90-78 victory, winning their first international exhibition game at the first Korean-Negros Friendship Game, against Team Shinyong of South Korea held at the University of Saint La Salle Coliseum last July 10. The home team consisted of players from most of Bacolod’s major collegiate teams, namely La Consolacion College Bacolod, Colegio San AgustinBacolod, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), and University of St. La Salle head coached by Roland Aledron of the UNO-R Rams. Shinyong, the visiting contenders, had players who are actors, media producers, and singers. Despite having non-sport related professions, Shinyong had Negros work hard for their win. Team Negros won the opening tip, but quickly missed the opportunity for the first basket to Shinyong after losing
Photo by Karen D. Panganiban
By Robert H. Jerge III
LINE-UP. Bacolod team pose for a photo after the game.
an offensive rebound on a missed lay-up. Shinyong stabs at an ‘up & under’ (a pump fake from a post position to a pivoted layup), only to get the ball snatched and scored by the opposing team. Team Negros showed their dominance through the first quarter maintaining a twopoint lead on Korea. Shinyong settled for rushed plays and risky
drives resulting to turnovers throughout the first quarter. However, the fast-paced plays slowly paid off as Team Negros lost their grasp of the lead after letting up on defense giving Shinyong opportunities to drain a couple of three pointers within the first three minutes of the second quarter. Team Negros called for a timeout after
Shinyong splits a free throw that tied the game at 32. Shinyong, learning from their turnovers, opted for a more cooled-down approach, allowing them to play through Team Negros’ defenses taking a single point lead, 65-64, at the end of the quarter. This lead lasted for most of the fourth quarter with one of the Shinyong players sinking three three-pointers, consecutively. This came as a surprise to the Team Negros who quickly called for a timeout to stop the momentum. The game became more physical with just under three minutes remaining. Team Negros tightened their defenses and denied Shinyong most of their passes to pressure them into returning to their rushed play style. This came as a costly move by Shinyong, who were unable to pick up the slack their plays have created allowing Team Negros to grab the win, as the KoreanNegros Friendship Game came to a close.
Lasallian competes in SVL By Stephine Paul M. Dungca
Interdisciplinary Studies senior Dell Palomata played for the Philippine Airforce Jet Spikers against the country’s big names in women’s volleyball in the recently-concluded 13th Shakey’s V-League Open Conference last May to July at the FilOil Flying V Centre, San Juan City. In her first Manila game against Bali Pure Water Defenders, the six-feet and
three inches Lasallian made a surprising debut as the team’s top scorer with 16 points after shoving a team of Amy Ahomiro, Charo Soriano, Dzi Gervacio and others within four sets, as cited in Fox Sports Asia. “I was pretty nervous and shy at first. I wasn’t expecting to be the Player of the Game. My motivation is my family, friends, teammates and coaches,” she said in an interview with Fox Sports. Likewise, Palomata
competed against her idol, Jaja Santiago, of the National University last July 15. “Of course I was starstruck. She is my idol. I was nervous at first since I know I can’t overpower her but it was alright. At least I did my best in trying to push our team to a win,” she said. However, Palomata was not able to play in all of the jet Spikers’ games since she still settles in Bacolod and has to process her enrollment during the ongoing matches.
“She prioritizes her studies first. We made a deal that if she has classes, she will not travel here in Manila to compete,” Air Force Coach Jasper Jimenez said in an interview with ABSCBN News. She said to Fox Sports that she needs to improve her speed inside the court, as well as her communication with the setter. She added that she will continue training so that she’ll become a stronger player in her games.
Photo by Nichol Francis T. Anduyan
Never Shall She Fall
Photo courtesy of Gilbert Ferraris
Name: Shaira Marie Lim Age: 20 years old Sports: Volleyball Course: COMK4A - COMT4A
TIMEOUT By Gian Von J. Caberte
“God is within her, she will not fall.” – Psalm 46:5. These are words to live by in this world of chaos and disarray; words to hold on to when you feel like the world is bringing you down. After all, words can build a mountain. God is within her; she will never fall. These are the words Shaira Lim live by. A fourth year student and a player in the University of St. La Salle Women’s Volleyball team, she majors in Marketing Management and Operations Management. With her teammates, she faced victory and defeat– but she knew she could be better, so she worked hard. She gave it her best, but still she lost some and she won some. Through it all, however, she never did fall. During her elementary years at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School, she was into athletics but stopped
Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle - USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 - Volume 61 Number 3
playing by fifth grade. That was when she got the opportunity to try-out for the Girls Volleyball team. “I wanted to try volleyball as it was something new but I was shy since I was alone. However, I was encouraged by a former Board of Trustees member who was handling sports. So I brought a friend and we tried it out. That was when I fell in love with the sport,” said Lim. “You’ll never know what’s in store for you if you never take the risk,” she added. As a student athlete, she has been part of teams that won numerous volleyball titles in the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association (NOPSSCEA), in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Regional, and other National volleyball titles. She was also chosen to be part of the team that played in the 2016 Nestea Beachvolley held in Boracay. Most of all, however, she has been a consistent Dean’s Lister, bar a semester, since her first year in college. Shaira owes all of this to her teachers, coaches, and family who have been with her through highs and lows, and to time management – a trait student athletes depend on, for the greatest challenge is managing time between studies and training. “I have loads of work to do on both majors, I must maintain my grades, get enough sleep, and look after my social life,” she said. For her, she is of one mind with her coaches because as they always point out: play hard, study harder.