8 minute read

E-SupPORT

As the world progresses in their constant advancement in technology, support is an essential for something to succeed.

In the absence of physical sports, a ray of hope shined for the overlooked rising scene. The University of Batangas created opportunities by forming varsity teams for students who aspire to become professional gamers. UB promised full commitment to this new age of athletes. However this promise stayed as a promise and the school’s lack of support to these very athletes may ultimately bring shame to the university in the long run.

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The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in major defeats in the sports world. It was said to be the “downfall” of sports as the virus rapidly spread in all parts of the globe.

Fortunately, a miracle came and the esports skyrocketed into stardom. No one expected these newfound games to evolve into the dominating trend of today. As the community began to grow, young people saw this as an experience and an opportunity to be remembered in the future.

Doors opened up for Brahmans who aspire to be a part of the esports varsity and embark on an electronic-but-still-sporty journey. With that, the school promised to give equal support to the esports teams. Little did we know, that promise was meant to be broken.

Esports athletes claim the university does not give them the same treatment compared to physical sports athletes which are always favored by the school. According to some players, they were on the far end of the university’s priority as the school had all eyes set on the preparation of the NCAA-South season 24 and BCPRISA.

Concerns regarding the limited options of games in the school’s screening for the new teams were also evident. The university needs to broaden their knowledge in this field to encourage students to join esports teams, enable them to boost their confidence in what they do, and shape the future and career they aspire to build.

In this modern society, there is no difference between playing on electronic devices and screens and on wooden courts. The measure of an athlete is not their profuse sweating from running, jumping, shooting in the rings, and whatnot. The real measure of an athlete is their willingness to win, learn, experience new things, and develop their skills in pursuit of their dreams.

Having said this, the university needs to give the same amount of attention and acknowledge esports as they do to physical sports. After all, esports, in all its essence, is a sport. If believed otherwise, the school could be in serious trouble in the prying eyes of the varsity community. The athletes have an option to quit if not given the support they need. In addition to the damage that could possibly happen, the school will fail to catch up with other schools in the sporting arena as other academic institutions understand and value the worth of their esports teams.

As the world progresses alongside its constant advancement in technology, support is an essential principle for something to succeed. Giving the same amount of support to esports as they do to traditional sports, the university can accomplish greater things in the field of athletics. As a 21st century learner, living in the modern world, I can say that esports can and will carry on the legacy of other sports have left on the history and the hearts of many.

Not all opportunities are opportunities worth seizing, especially if encouragement only lasts until its welcoming. For student-athletes to continue doing their bests in an era they call peak and glory days, the inspiration they receive must never fall short – especially if it comes from those who brought them here in the first place.

Not all games are destined to be won. Battles are faced by some not to win but for them to learn to slay better the second time around.

This case is the same for the queen of esports, Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna who conquered many battles in different forms and did his best to overcome them all with flying colors.

Artworkby:ChristineJoyM.Montoya

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) player and team captain, Johnmar “OhMyV33nus” Villaluna, the roamer of Blacklist International, had proven to his bashers that he is unstoppable not just in the professional scene but also in battling the discrimination against LGBTQIA+ community. The 28-year-old professional player raised the flag and the name of the country in international competitions like in MLBB world championships and SEA games. As a matter of fact, they were hailed as victors during the M3 World Championship.

Furthermore, they also brought home the bacon after winning the championship against their mightiest rival, none other than Indonesia, with a score of 3–1 during the final round of 31st Southeast Asian Games held at Hanoi, Vietnam. Be it in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League Philippines

BY: ATHENA B. TARCELO

How Villaluna broke the code

BY: ALDRED SKY P. ABANDO

(MPL-PH), Villaluna evinced how skillful he is in shotcalling, specifically in outplaying their opponents using the Ultimate Bonding Experience (UBE) strategy. He is an integral part and heart behind their achievements in MPL-PH, winning seasons 7, 8, and 10, and making his team the first three-time champion, Also, he was awarded as MPL-PH Regular Season MVP once during their major comeback after a season of silence

The University of Batangas - Junior High School (JHS) department conducts a MAPEH Enhancement Program (MEP) after every class to nurture the skills of UBians in many sports-related activities.

Some of the sports taught to students are football, taekwondo, badminton, basketball, chess, volleyball, table tennis, and swimming.

The program officially started last November 14, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM, participated by all UBJHS students.

The program was made possible with the support and guidance of sports coaches and the students’ parents.

“I feel it’s good for us kasi nabibigyan ang students ng chance na masubukang mag-laro ng sports na wala silang resources or time to try,” Maia Gabrielle O. Cardasto, the grade 10 student expressed.

One of the highlights of this year’s face-to-face class is the Enhancement of MAPEH Curriculum, particularly in the PE and Health subjects, being said that this is a comeback of the traditional mode of learning after two years of online classes.

“This enhancement is clearly seen in our sports classes

Patriots spoils UB’s...

A back and forth scoring occurred in the next four minutes before UB finally took their first lead. Fitting enough, Leynes delivered the breakaway layup to lift the Brahmans up by two, 61-59.

Five more lead changes transpired in the following couple of minutes, with team Dubai coming out on top, highlighted by a Patriots putback dagger, 65-66.

In the final two minutes, both teams intensified their defense as they geared up for a dramatic finish.

With 29.12 seconds left, the Patriots forced UB to a crucial turnover. While on the other side of the court, a great defense by the Brahmans kept Dubai in sight to set up for a possible both from Villaluna and Danerie “Wise” Rosario, his real-life partner. In addition, Blacklist made it to the final round twice during the MPL-PH Season 4 and 5 where the team was crowned as first-runner up.

Alongside his neverending achievements is the neverending rude and hateful comments he receive from his bashers, most especially homophobic remarks as they tend to condemn Villaluna for his sexual orientation. One of which is Omega Esports MLBB player Grant Duane “Kelra” Pillas who delivered a homophobic remark about the royal duo while having his online game streaming. Villaluna and BLCK on their facebook posts, responded to the issue. They told their beloved agents to always choose to be better, and that words always matter.

Sometimes, victory is not on his side as his mother and grandparents viewed gaming in a negative way.

Moreover, many students from the University of Batangas (UB) support the career of OhMyV33nus. “I admire her kasi grabe yung determination at paninindigan niya para labanan ang diskriminasyon na bumabalot sa LGBTQIA+ community, isa pa, dinala niya ang bandera ng third sex sa isang international stage na related sa Mobile Legends,” Samantha Joyce M. Almarez, an ML player and grade 10 student from UB, mentioned.

Still, given the circumstances and adversities thrown against him, Villaluna was still able to conquer the land of dawn and the hearts of many, making him a queen of his gambit.

Krizthan Lainuel M. Macaraig which feature exciting sessions taught and coached by various experts in different fields,” Dr. Hilaria A. Guico, the UBJHS principal, mentioned. The enhancement program is not just done to learn the basics or the origins of national and international sports but also to make the students experience playing such games.

“I understand that the objective of the program was to enhance the skills and talents of the learners as well as to scout for potential athletes,” Yoesha Grace D. Velasco, said the UBJHS Supreme Student Council president.

In line with this program, the university used this opportunity to scout and tap potential athletes who could represent the department or institution in local and national sports competitions.

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game-winner with 15.84 ticks to go.

A tough layup to win the game was heavily contested and ended up on the hands of the Patriots. The miss proved to be costly as UB ran out of time trying to stop the clock with a foul. With the heartbreaking 65-66 loss, the Brahmans fell to Division 2 while Dubai’s win advanced them to Division 1. In a losing effort, Leynes’ heroics led UB with 19 points off the bench.

“Sayang kasi nakabawi na kami, lumamang pa kami noong fourth quarter pero kinulang lang talaga. May laro ulit kami bukas, pagsisikapan namin na mabawasan yung mga errors namin,” the Brahman said after the game.

“I am not happy with how we played today, especially because I know we’re a good team.” said UB Brahmans coach Arnold Conturno.

“We have to make adjustments to our game plan, with that being said, we will address our turnover and rebounding problems, we have to be better the next time around. May tiwala naman ako sa mga batang ito, alam kong kayang-kaya namin manalo,” he added.

The Brahmans secured their ticket to the NBTC League after dominating the Batangas Youth Basketball Mabini, 127-55 in the qualifying round last March 12, 2023.

Next on their schedule, UB will go up against Team Tarlac in a win or go home situation.

CAMACHO THROWS FOR PODIUM, NOTCHES 3 MEDALS

BY: CLOUD CEDRICK BENLOT

Axel Camacho of the University of Batangas (UB) bagged 3 medals in the Batangas City Private Schools Association (BCPRISA) Track and Field Throwing Events last February 8.

Starting the show, Camacho exerted full force in throwing the shot which distanced 9.27 meters, giving him a huge lead.

In his second throw, Camacho applied strength in tossing the shot with a reach of 10.05 meters proving to everyone he is hungry to win.

The Brahman fired up in his last swing for the category, the shot distanced 11.72 meters placing him at first in the shot put throw.

During the discus throw, he fell short after he threw for only 19 meters which caused him to lose his momentum in the following throws.

Camacho threw the discus with a distance of 20.1 meters in his second throw, falling short once more of the top spot.

In his last throw, the discus distanced in 22.8 meters, unsuccessful in nabbing gold, he placed second in the event.

Meanwhile, he put in a remarkable performance in the javelin throw as he started off with 21 meters putting him in the lead.

He cooled down in his second throw after sending the javelin only

BCPRISA

RECORDS BASKETBALL BOYS

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22 INDIVIDUALS at 21.3 meters but he still remained in the first spot giving him a higher chance in snatching gold.

In claiming his second gold medal, Camacho applied full force again to finish the event with his 24 meter javelin throw.

. . . . . . STRENGTH IN NUMBERS SKILL IGNITION. UBJHS introduces the MAPEH Enhancement Program to develop students’ skills in various sports activities. The program aims to provide opportunities for students to try different sports, enhance their talents, and scout potential athletes who can represent the school in competitions. community behind him.

He finished the event gaining two gold medals and one silver medal bringing pride to the UB Brahmans.

He also competed in the City Meet Track and Field Throwing events but was outmatched and took home two bronze medals in shot put and javelin throw.