Jeff Napa looks forward to Letran challenge

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Jeff Napa looks forward to Letran challenge

by rick olivares

Jeff Napa has been announced as the new head coach of the Letran Knights. The 35-year old former National University Bulldog who has also coached his alma mater’s juniors team to three UAAP titles including the most recent Season 78 championship is excited about his new undertaking.

“It is a blessing and an opportunity,” described Napa in a late night interview Monday night. “I am excited because college basketball is a different level in terms of play and coaching. I experienced this as a player and later as an assistant to Manny Dandan and Eric Altamirano (over at NU). I hope to bring my experiences and knowledge to help Letran.”

Napa was a part of NU’s first team to book a Final Four slot in 2001. He concluded his college playing days the next year after which he played in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League before being invited by Dandan to join him over in NU in 2005.

The move has the blessings of National University management and Napa will take his first look at his new team this coming Wednesday.

However, Napa won’t be leaving NU as he will stay with the juniors program albeit as consultant. His former Bulldogs teammate and long-time coaching assistant Chico Manabat will take over the Bullpups. Incidentally, Manabat will also join him on the sidelines with Letran.

“There will be no conflict since the NCAA is played in the first semester while the UAAP Juniors is in the second semester,” clarified Napa.

Napa is the second non-Letran alumnus to handle the team after Louie Alas who played for Adamson during his college days but led the Knights to three NCAA championships. The new coach is also following the incredible rookie stint of former Knights player Aldin Ayo who skippered Letran to a memorable championship over six-peat seeking San Beda in the last NCAA tournament. “This team isn’t last year’s team,” cautioned Napa. “Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal are no longer there. I know the other players — Rey Nambatac, (Jomari) Sollano, (McJour) Luib and a few others only by name. I need to get to know them as people and as players from a different perspective. I understand there are also some transferees and new players. It’s a different team with a new set of challenges. I am excited for these challenges."

The Knights have made a name for themselves as a full-court hustling and highly physical team, a style that has paid dividends for them in spite of not having the resources of college teams like Ateneo, La Salle, NU, or even NCAA foe, San Beda. But Napa doesn’t think this will be a problem. “The school has shown that it can still win in spite of that.”

Napa said that although he made a name for himself as a long range sniper during his playing days, he found his calling applying a rugged defense with the NU Bullpups. “Some people even called us ’the bullies of the UAAP Juniors Division’ because of the way we played. I think the transition won’t be too difficult. But I am big on team chemistry and solidarity. That has been the key to our success in the UAAP. Hopefully, we can also continue Letran’s legacy of success and achievement. For me, it is a honor to be here." 

Meralco Bolts need more local support for Onuaku

Meralco needs more local support for Onuaku

by rick olivares

You could make the case of deja vu as the Meralco Bolts fell to the San Miguel Beermen last Saturday in Legazpi City. 

The Bolts were riding a five-match win streak this Commissioner’s Cup when SMB stopped them with an eight-point victory 94-86. In Season 40’s Commissioner’s Cup, Meralco started out the conference on a five-match win streak before SMB downed them again.

It is hoped by team management that there will be no repeat of last year’s Commissioner’s Cup where after the five-game streak, they won only one of six remaining matches. The Bolts dispatched sister team NLEX in the quarterfinals with a two-game sweep after which Rain or Shine booted them out in three games.

Looking at the loss to SMB, aside from Arinze Onuaku who finished with 28 points, only Gary David was in double figures with 12 markers.

In the five previous wins by Meralco, they had at least four players scoring in double digits. Both imports, Onuaku and SMB’s Tyler Wilkerson bucked five fouls each to lead their team. Onuaku finished with 28 points and 30 rebounds (including 3 assists and 2 blocked shots) while Wilkerson tallied 27 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocked shots). 

Whereas David added 12 points to backstop Onuaku, Wilkerson counted on Gabby Espinas, Marcio Lassiter, and Alex Cabagnot to help out with 13, 10, and 10 points respectively. 

Onuaku has plugged a lot of holes for Meralco this conference especially in the slot. But even the Big Fella cannot win it alone. He needs his teammates to do their share and to do it consistently. 

While Meralco had better stats than SMB, one department where the Beermen ruled was in the free throw attempts. SMB attempted 40 free throws while Meralco only had 17. That’s a huge disparity and showed SMB’s willingness to take the ball inside or to attack. 

Of course, the statistics only tell part of the game. SMB pulled away in the clutch.

Meralco returns to action this Wednesday when they face NLEX at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Looking at the UP Lady Maroons & their big win over Ateneo

This appears on abs-cbnnews.com

Looking at the UP Lady Maroons & their big win over Ateneo

by rick olivares

Ten years ago, the Ateneo Lady Eagles and the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons were duelling one another… to stay out of the cellar. The National University Lady Bulldogs were in that fight as well except they finished at the bottom of the UAAP pile.

Ten years later, the Ateneo Lady Eagles are two-time champions, UP is on the rise while NU has been a contender in the past three years.

The landscape sure has changed for women’s volleyball in the country and upsurge is an understatement.

And the UP Lady Maroons have barged into that popularity with its performances in the past two seasons. Their biggest win — that four-setter against Ateneo last Sunday that has not only rocked the UAAP Women’s Volleyball standings but also served notice to everyone that they are not going away.

Incidentally, it was their first win against Ateneo in nine years. To be the champion, you have to go through the champion and the UP Lady Maroons are ready to break out and challenge for the title.

At 5-3, they have taken down three of the best teams in the league in succession — UST, NU, and Ateneo — winning nine sets and losing only two.

How are the Lady Maroons getting it done?

Their wondrous rookies

Under Jerry Yee, UP has improved its recruitment. Their first year players Isa Molde, Diana Carlos, Justine Dorog, and Aieshalaine Gannaban have given State U some valuable firepower and contributions. And to think they have Sheena Chopitea still riding the bench. 

Molde and Carlos finished with six and five excellent digs respectively so you know they are getting the job done on both ends of the court. That is the kind of impact they have made.

You mix that with their veterans Kathy Bersola, Nicole Tiamzon, and Princess Gaiser who still have a playing year in them, they can only get better. Who knows where they will stop this year?

Defense.

The Lady Maroons have vastly improved their floor defense. They are fourth best in receiving and second best in digging. Plus, they are third best at blocking. Arielle Estra-ero finished with 21 excellent receptions; that’s nine more than Ateneo libero Jamie Lavitoria. 

In their second round match with Ateneo, it was a reversal as they dug almost every ball sent their way. Being able to block Alyssa Valdez in succession while stopping Maddie Madayag kept Ateneo in check. 

Balanced scoring.

Four players finished in double digit scoring against Ateneo — Isa Molde led the way with 15, Tiamzon and Carlos each had 12 while Bersola added 10. Furthermore, the booming serves of Carlos really gave Ateneo fits. 

Hard to stop a team when they are putting the hurt on you in so many ways.

One key move during the match was having Tiamzon take over from Jewel Lai as setter in the second frame. Tiamzon’s ability to set, dig, and hit gives UP a different dimension. And right now, I think she is the most versatile player in the league.

At 5-3, UP can stay in step with the leaders when it faces faltering Adamson this Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Looking at the Ateneo Lady Eagles’ two-game slide

This appears on philstar.com

Looking at the Ateneo Lady Eagles’ two-game slide

by rick olivares

What is ailing the Ateneo Lady Eagles?

To distill it in its simplest form -- poor defense. Second, every other team seems to have stepped up their game while Ateneo still has yet to adjust. They sure didn’t against UP.

Let’s back track.

The Lady Eagles got by in the first round with overpowering offense that masked their deficiency — poor receiving and digging. Opposing teams like UP, UST, Adamson, and FEU were learning the ropes with their team a balance of rookies and veterans. You can make the case for Ateneo having a crop of new players but of the starting six, only converted libero Jamie Lavitoria is the new one (although she was on last year’s championship squad).

The first round for other squads was also developing their chemistry. Check out the way UP played Ateneo this second round. It was much different from their first round encounter. 

You have to give it to La Salle for shattering that mantle of invincibility.

Ateneo raised the bar of women’s volleyball with Anusorn Bundit’s approach to the game. If they were the paragons of fitness and power, well everyone else picked up the baton. And now the other teams are running away with it.

The intensity and ferocity of the Lady Spikers in their recent match was something Ateneo had not faced in a while. The last time I saw that was Game Two of the Season 75 Finals after Ateneo took the finals opener against La Salle. The Lady Spikers came out with fire in their eyes. 

This Season 78, DLSU crushed Ateneo with a violent combination of powerful offense and choking defense. Watching the huddles of that game against La Salle: one, there was no meditation, and two, there was a form of panic (and this was confirmed by a player). 

In Season 77, of the 16 matches Ateneo played, 12 were won via three-set sweeps. Thrice they went the distance and thrice they prevailed. What was missing then was the great floor and net defense that they played.

This Season 78, Ateneo won five three-setters and one four-setter before losing in an embarrassing three-set sweep to La Salle. Now they lost a four-setter after taking the first set.

Even as Ateneo took the first set from UP, they didn’t look that great. They outsteadied UP for sure but they didn’t look great. In fact, the Lady Maroons didn’t even look down after conceding the first set. Instead they raised the level of their game. 

More often than not, whatever Ateneo threw at them they returned. As the game expression goes, hindi mapatay yung bola. When the Lady Eagles did receive they didn’t attack well enough sometimes taking ill-advised shots if not weak put backs. 

The common denominator between La Salle and UP? They are two of the three best defensive teams (the other is UST).

Now Ateneo has its first back-to-back loss. Something they have not had to deal with in three years. 

So how to they deal with this and what do I think?

Two things: first heavy is the head that wears the crown. The Lady Eagles are the hunted. At first, there was the burden of a 24-match win streak that stretched across three seasons. Well, that is a thing of the past. It is time to move forward. But clearly, they are struggling with the weight of expectations (not that there is anything wrong with that but it does come with the territory). UP is playing without any burden of expectations and that is a world of a difference.

Losses either make you. Or they break you. With dangerous NU on deck, we’re about to find out what they are made of. 

However, right now, it’s a confidence problem. Mental, even.

Second, I think that at this point, Bundit might want to re-think his game plan. Maybe someone should transfer that banner that says “Defense wins championships" from the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center to Blue Eagle Gym. 

Ateneo Volleyball Program Director Sherwin Malonzo believes it is a slump.

The famed New York Yankee captain Derek Jeter is one who is accustomed to slumps. Said Jeter about facing slumps during his final season in pinstripes two seasons ago, "I've always looked forward to the next one (game). I always felt that the best way for me to deal with things was to not sit around and dwell on it too much -- good or bad. I try to look forward. I'm 0-for what now; 0-for-24 (in at-bats)? In my mind, I try to forget about that. That's how I try to deal with it. That goes for good things as well. I try to look forward."

"So it's been very difficult for me to enjoy (moments along the way). This season I've tried, but it's still an awkward thing to be going through your last season and trying to enjoy it when you're still trying to win games. I guess my mind just works different than most people, but I've always just tried to move on.”

Indeed. It is time to move on.

The days of “Happy Happy” are suspended for now…. the Lady Eagles have to dig deep and raise the level of their game.

The battle has been joined.

An afternoon with Coach Tab Baldwin and the Ateneo Blue Eagles

Bleachers Brew: Looking at football's makeover

This appears on businessmirror.com.ph

Looking at football's makeover

by rick olivares

Big changes are coming to football. 

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved in its board meeting last March 5 some major changes that will impact the way the game is played.

Here are my thoughts regarding them.

The Video Assistant Referee

First and foremost is the landmark decision to introduce a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to the game. It is a move that is long coming. While other sports like basketball and tennis have embraced video technology to improve the game, the world’s most popular sport took several years because they needed to get the technology right. While IFAB admits it might not be 100% accurate it is still a welcome development. 

VARs will play a major role in determining if a goal has been scored or not. In the addendum to the use of video, IFAB stated that VARs will help identify goals that should not be awarded for infringement, that there are no wrong decisions in awarding or not awarding a penalty kick, that there are no wrong decisions in red card incidents, and lastly, that referees caution or send off the right player in cases of mistaken identity.

According to IFAB, “The role of VARs is to assist the referee to determine whether there was an infringement that means a goal should not be awarded. As the ball has crossed the line the play has already been interrupted so that there is no direct impact on the game.”

I like the changes because they will correct some of the inadequacies of the game. Of course, there is still some room for error on decisions on fouls, handballs, and offside calls. This still does not eliminate inefficient or even suspect officiating. 

Having said that, Frank Lampard and the whole of England wishes this was available during the 2010 World Cup.

Denying goal-scoring opportunities

One of the new changes, well, is a matter of re-wording Law 12 or “Denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.” The new ruling by IFAB adds the conjunction “or” to the rules. And they are huge!

“Where a player commits an offence within his own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offending player should be cautioned unless (that I capitalised and italicised for emphasis):

The offense is holding, pulling, or pushing OR

The offending player does not attempt to play the ball or there is no possibility for the player making the challenge to play the ball OR

The offense is one which is punishable by a red card wherever it occurs on the field of play (e.g. serious foul play, violent conduct etc.)

In all of the above circumstances, the player should be dismissed from the field of play.”

A corner kick is a goal-scoring opportunity. We all know that inside the box especially in fighting for those crosses, there is a battle for position wherein there is a lot of physical contact. Does even a slight push merit dismissal? Not every action one takes is done on purpose. Some are taken because of reflexes. This should be explained very explicitly because any dismissal of a player will change the game. 

This bears great watching and with a lot of concern and trepidation given how it will be interpreted. 

Moving the ball in any direction.

Law 8 says that from kick-off the ball should be moved forward. What players normally do is tap the ball a few inches forward to a teammate then send a backpass to another teammate so they can asses how best to forage ahead. 

With the new rule, players can move the ball in any direction they want from kick-off. This sounds like a simple thing but it is good. Nothing like an economy of ball movement.

Softening the impact of numerical advantage because of injured players

A referee assesses the situation on on-field injuries and the protocol is, the player goes out while the other team plays with a numerical advantage. Now, barring serious injury, players can receive quick treatment temporarily stopping the match so no advantage is given upon resumption of play.

Numerical advantage is huge. This is a welcome change if you ask me. Why penalize a team that is a man down? This prevents also dirty tactics by opposing teams.

Adding a fourth substitute

Perhaps the one new rule that I really like is the study to allow a fourth substitute during extra time (I have always made a case for five substitutes allowed). The IFAB allowed experimentation on allowing a fourth substitute in extra time within a competition or a league that is still to be decided on. According to IFAB, “The aim is to see whether there is a player benefit, whether the fourth substitute is used tactically or genuinely for player welfare, whether the potential use of all four substitutes during extra time (and thus change more than a third of the team) has an unfair impact.”

That last statement is rather silly. How and when a coach uses his substitutes is his prerogative and is none of IFAB’s concern. Of course they are used for tactical gain. If you are going to question if using four substitutes in extra time has an unfair impact then you should question late game substitutions that is really more for wasting time. 

It seems that sometimes, these new rules have concerns about the stoppage of time or as they put it, “no direct impact on a game” but we all know that sometimes players feign injury to hold up time, to slow down the opposing team’s momentum, to take in instructions from the sideline, or even to catch a drink of water. 

If you’re making all these changes, then keep it consistent to the spirit of the game.

In summary, I do welcome the massive makeovers and changes for the 2016-17 season although with concern regarding some of them. How they impact the game will tell on whatever planned improvements there are in making over the Beautiful Game.

All-Star and Championship to highlight SM-NBTC week

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All-Star and Championship to highlight SM-NBTC week

by rick olivares

March Madness is upon us!

Twenty-two of the country’s best high school basketball teams and 24 of the best juniors cagers from all across the Philippine archipelago will all compete in 5th Annual SM NBTC High School All-Star Game and SM-NBTC League National High School Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena from March 13-17. 

After a long and grueling competition among over 700 high schools from 48 participating cities in the 2015-16 SM-NBTC League season, the last 22 schools standing, plus two foreign guest teams will compete for prestigious title of the best high school team in this basketball-crazy land.

Making it to the prestigious tournament are Lyceum of the Philippine University, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, Bacolod Tay Tung High School, St. Robert’s International School, Assumption Montessori School, Southern City Colleges, Assumption College of Davao, San Beda College, Chiang Kai Shek College, Bato Rural Development High School, Palawan National High School, De La Salle Lipa, Rex Dei Academy, Our Lady of the Pillar College Cauayan, Castillejos National High School, Angeles University Foundation, St. Louis College High School, Linao National High School, Paref Springdale School, Dr. Aurelio Mendoza Memorial College, Agusan National High School, and the winner of the UAAP Juniors Division (that could be decided as early as Friday, March 4, or next Friday, March 11).

Also participating in the sudden-death tournament are guest teams Durham Crossover Basketball from Canada, and Trail International School from Thailand. 

“This will increase the competitiveness of the tournament and expose our high school teams to better competition,” said SM-NBTC Training Program Director and Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton. “The larger number of high school teams from the Philippines plus the foreign participation underscores the growth of this tournament that is now on its ninth year.”

Added Compton, “I cannot tell you how big a boost it is for the NBTC to receive the patronage and invaluable support of the SM Group of Companies. Because of their reach as well as the popularity of basketball, this will present educational opportunities to kids from all over the country. And for the All-Star Game and Finals to be played at the Mall of Asia Arena, where historic events like the FIBA Asia Championship of 2013 and the upcoming Rio Olympic Qualifiers have been and will be played, it adds to the premium of the event.”

SM, who currently supports the NBTC, is asked why the company has been more evident in backing sports. “As a family-driven company, SM believes that sports builds character, most especially for the youth. That is why we utilize our malls, our facilities and even our cinemas to support campaigns such as the NBTC.” Says CJ Suarez, sports development head of SM Lifestyle Entertainment, Inc. “Not only do we financially contribute in the development of our country’s sports community but we are also hands on in helping them maintain their programs. We urge all companies to partner with us in building Philippine sports for the benefit of the nation’s youth.”

Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu is the defending tournament champion. In last year’s finals, the Magis Eagles behind Jan Jaboneta and Joshua Sinclair defeated NCAA champions San Beda, 82-78, to claim their third championship of the tournament. Jaboneta is now with the University of the Philippines while Sinclair is with National University.

In the 5th SM-NBTC All-Star Game, the country’s best have been divided into the North and South squads.

The North Team is composed of Jonas Tibetan of Chiang Kai Shek College; Sherwin Concepcion of Malayan Institute of Technology; Kris Harvey Pagsanjan of Hope Christian High School; Evan Nelle of San Beda College; Justine Baltazar and John Lloyd Clemente of National University; Tyler Tio of Xavier School; Will Allen Gozum, Javier Gomez de Liaño, and Juan Gomez de Liaño of UP Integrated School, and Jethro Madrigal of La Salle Greenhills.

The South Team counts John Galinato of Chiang Kai Shek College; Evan Agbong of Adamson University; Gian Mamuyac and Jolo Mendoza of Ateneo de Manila University; Aljun Melecio of De La Salle Zobel; Marvel Jimenez of Hope Christian High School; Samuel Abulihijle and Germy Mahinay from San Beda College; Rhayyan Amsali of National University; Rendell Joseph Lee of Xavier School; Raul Jancork Cabahug of University of the Visayas; and Jed Colonia of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.

The Filipino All-Stars will be joined by two players each from the Canadian and Thai guest squads.

The previous four Most Valuable Player awardees of the SM-NBTC include in chronological order Ace Basas of Mapua Institute of Technology, Rey Nambatac of Colegio de San Juan de Letran College, and Ferdinand Ravena III and Michael Nieto of Ateneo de Manila University.

The SM-NBTC tournament is the official high school basketball tournament of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Assessing the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tourney after the first round

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Assessing the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Tourney after the first round

by rick olivares

The first round is done. There have been big surprises and shocking performances. All that ensures that the second round will be even more hotly contested. 

In the meantime, here’s a look at the different teams.

Ateneo has defensive concerns.

In Season 77, Ateneo was best in digging and receiving although they were sixth in blocking. 

This Season 78, with the ascension of Maddie Madayag (and teaming up with Bea De Leon), the Lady Eagles are fourth best in the league. But they have dropped to sixth in digging and third in receiving and that chink in the armor has given teams note to test them. None more devastating that La Salle did in their last meeting.

Gizelle Tan started the season as libero but increasing defensive woes gave way to Jamie Lavitoria finally getting some playing time. Ateneo looked to have resolved their woes but in Jamie’s first Ateneo-La Salle match, she struggled mightily (as did her teammates). 

Lavitoria and Tan have done a creditable job and they figure to get better at the libero position. Unfortunately, they have to learn on the job and during the defense of their crown with a lot of teams better both offensively and defensively. 

The champs are still potent offensively but their defense remains suspect. In spite of that, they are still atop the league but with a host of challengers nipping at their heels.

La Salle has followed up sensational wins with just as sensational losses.

The Lady Spikers denied twice in the championship game the past two seasons, are back this year with an even better lineup. Taller, deeper, and talented, they have what it takes to win the championship this year. And they still do. They just need to be more consistent.

La Salle opened the season with a showcase of their depth and talent with a three set win over FEU. In their next match, they fell to NU in four sets.

Four matches later, they routed two-time defending champion, Ateneo with a dazzling (for them) and humiliating (for the Lady Eagles) three-set sweep. With a chance to finish atop the standings by the end of the first round, their level of play dropped as they lost to UST in three sets.

But we haven’t heard the last of them. They remain well-coached, dangerous and again, could win this all. And they have added quite a few weapons to help Ara Galang (who is back in great form from her grisly injury last year) while others like Kim Dy are getting some badly needed playing time.

The Lady Maroons are soaking up vastly needed experience.

A terrific blend of veteran and rookie talent! Experience is all they need. 

Jerry Yee has gotten it right. He built a team that is very good defensively. They are in the top three of all the defensive categories — third in blocking, second in digging, and second in receiving. Offensively, UP as a team is getting better. Imagine when they hit their stride. And it is their young players like 

They have players who can play multiple positions and can on any given day pile on the points. Nicole Tiamzon’s efficiency must be off the charts. The Lady Maroons will get even more dangerous as the season progresses or over the next few years.

FEU lacks consistency

The FEU Lady Tamaraws are like UP and UST — a team with a great mix of veterans and rising stars. They just need to put it all together. 

They started out horribly against La Salle. Blew away a lousy UE team. Looked good in the early stretches against Ateneo before the Lady Eagles awoke from their slumber and put the hurt on them in the third set. Dispatched UST in four, outlasted UP in five, had Adamson on the ropes with a two set lead before crumbling in five sets.

That has left coach Shaq De Los Santos scratching his head at what team will show up on a daily basis. But the Lady Tamaraws are good. 

Last season Chin Basas was ninth in scoring in the league. This year, after seven matches, she’s third. Her improvement as an all-around player has certainly helped her team (along with the superb game by setter Gyzelle Sy).

That huge three-set win over NU to close out their first round should do wonders for their confidence.

National University has queen-sized problems.

They started the season looking to humiliate Ateneo in the first game but the Lady Eagles turned the tables on them and the opener ended in a three-set sweep. They came back to shockingly hand La Salle a loss in four sets; a testament to their potential. But they ended the first round on a three-set slide to drop out of the Final Four picture. Following their three-set loss to UP to end their first round of play, the team talked long into the night (and what for hours and hours after their match ended). The last time they did something like this, they resurrected their Season 77. 

The Lady Bulldogs have the talent, line-up, and skill. Mentally? They don’t reside anywhere near Ateneo’s or La Salle’s wellspring of confidence.

This is why they should play V-League sans guest players. You hope to toughen up your team. But when you win because your guest players lift you to the title, well…

UST looks to build on their win over DLSU.

Another team with the talent but is underachieving. But you can make the case for this being a young team. Youth is something that coach Kungfu Reyes has gone (with Cherry Rondina and EJ Laure leading the way) with benching the ineffective and inconsistent Marivic Meneses, making veteran Chloe Cortez come off the bench (although she has given quality minutes), and alternated setters.

In their last three matches of the first round, they looked to have resurrected their season with an incredible five-set win over NU where they looked dangerous in taking the first two sets, horribly wobbly in the next two and a half sets, before completing a wondrous rally.

Then they followed that up with a four-set loss to UP where they constantly were behind). And now the three set sweep over La Salle. While UST seized the impressive win, I would like to say that La Salle’s energy was somewhat sapped by their high energy game that they exhausted in their demolition of Ateneo. Nevertheless, it was a huge win for UST and now to see how they parlay that into the next round.

Time for Coach Sherwin to be a little more stern with the Lady Falcons.

By no means is the Final Four cast set. So much can happen. There is no middle of the pack. Save for Ateneo that has a two game lead over most of the pack (except for woeful UE), everyone else is a game behind and within striking distance. The Lady Falcons are like UST, FEU, and UP wherein they have the talent to advance. It is just chemistry, defense, and consistency. 

For the Lady Falcons, they have the offense. Three of the 10 best scorers in the league wear an Adamson jersey — Jema Galanza, Mylene Paat, and the solid Mae Roque. It’s their defense and decision-making that is giving them fits. 

Coach Sherwin Meneses has given the platform to perform. Maybe he needs to be a little more stern with his girls who have tendencies to make questionable decisions on offense and defense. But this is a good team.

UE needs to get out of their collective funk (and that is a massive understatement).

You have to be cruel to be kind to this team. Dead last in the league. Dead last in every statistical category for three years running. No offense. No defense. No kneepads. 

I think Francis Vicente is learning the hard way that college volleyball is way different than high school volleyball. His team in NU underachieved. UE? They are setting league records for futility. They have the players and the height. But they don’t have a clue on what to do. I hate to savage a team that is down. I feel bad for Vicente and his girls.

This team needs a makeover. They haven’t gotten any better at all. 

Strange days. Welcome to the rollercoaster ride of emotions that is sports.

In one Saturday, Ateneo gets shellacked by La Salle. Liverpool loses the Capital One Cup championship to Man City in a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out. 

In one day, La Salle, with a chance to top the league at the end of the first round of play, loses to UST in a shocking loss to end their first round (so Ateneo remains atop the UAAP standings with DLSU second that is small consolation). Liverpool exacts a modicum of revenge over Man City in their second round, 3-1, last night at Anfield (the Reds beat the Citizens 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium in the first round). Slightly atones for the Capital One loss.

But I'll take it. 

Welcome to the roller coaster ride of emotions that is sports.

2nd Round UAAP Volleyball Schedule

Meralco Bolts getting it done with defense

Bolts getting it done with defense

by rick olivares

Barely a month after the Commissioner’s Cup tipped off, we’ve got an unlikely cast atop the PBA table. Meralco is the only undefeated team at 5-0 while Mahindra is at second with a 3-1 record. 

Last conference’s protagonists, Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beermen are at 1-1 while the Alaska Aces are at 2-1 (good for third thus far).

While the Meralco Bolts have duplicated their Commissioner’s Cup start of Season 40 (with import Josh Davis), it looks like this year could be different for this ballclub that made its PBA debut six years ago. 

The Bolts are tops in the defensive rankings allowing a league low of 88.0 points per game. That is a full seven points better than second running Barangay Ginebra that surrenders 95.5 points an outing. Conversely, Meralco scores the fewest points in a game by any PBA team with 91.4 per match.

“After where we finished last conference, I’ll take anything,” said Meralco’s second year head coach Norman Black. “Of course, we aren’t satisfied with that. We have a long ways to go. A 5-0 start doesn’t mean anything yet because the goal is to finish somewhere at the top if we can. But I am pleased we are doing well defensively. But we have to continue working hard to get better.”

As of today, Meralco has allowed the fewest field goals (40%) and the fewest three-point field goals (30.5%). They are also in the top three in free throws allowed, rebounds, allowed, and assists allowed categories.

Team manager Paolo Trillo attributes the Bolts early conference success to better team chemistry after keeping last year’s squad mostly intact and to American reinforcement Arinze Onuaku who has plugged the gaping hole in the middle. “Last year we had a team that didn’t really know one another. Give or take a few players, it is mostly the same team we have now but with better team chemistry and an understanding of what we want to accomplish,” elaborated Trillo who has also partnered with Black during the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ incredible run in UAAP college basketball several years ago that produced a five-peat.

“Arinze has been a big factor for us with his size and ability to challenge shots, other teams are re-thinking their attack,” the more he gets into 'PBA shape' (meaning playing longer minutes), the better it will be for our team.”

The Bolts are drawing their firepower from Onuaku who is leading the team with 20.0 points, 17.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. Rookie forward Chris Newsome is pacing the local with his scoring at 12.0 points. Veterans Jared Dillinger and Cliff Hodge also provide double digit production with 11.4 and 10.6 points a match respectively. 

“We’ve also had to deal with some injuries to Jimmy Alapag and Rabeh Al-Hussaini out,” added Trillo. “But it has been a challenge with others picking up their game. Reynel Hugnatan came up big for us in the last game.”

“We have long way to go,” downplayed Newsome of Meralco’s terrific start. “We’d love to keep this going if we can. But it is nice to have that force and stopper in the middle with Arinze."

The Bolts will face a stiff challenge when they play the Beermen this Saturday in Legazpi City.

Former bronze medalist Stephen Fernandez advises Pinoy Olympic hopefuls

This appears on rappler.com

Former bronze medalist Stephen Fernandez advises Pinoy Olympic hopefuls

by rick olivares

With Filipino takewondo jins in full preparation for the two precious slots up for grabs in the upcoming Olympic Qualifiers, Stephen Frenandez, former Olympian and now Athletics Director for the College if Saint Benilde, took time to reflect on the task ahead of his fellow athletes.

“The Olympics is a whole new level,” said Fernandez in an interview with Rappler. Fernandez competed in the 1988 Seoul, Korea and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. “The competition is significantly higher and the best in the world. There are more countries in the Olympics than in the United Nations (204 to 193) and after so many rounds of competition, whoever goes to the Summer Games is a winner and a champion in his own right. But to win a gold means you are the best in this planet.”

Fernandez however cautioned the Filipinos who are preparing for the Olympic Qualifers that will be held in Manila this April. “You do it for the right reasons,” he simply stated.

When Fernandez booked his ticket to Seoul in 1988, he admitted he went there for all the wrong reasons. “I wanted to be famous; to be rich,” he confessed. “In short, I was selfish. And I paid for my arrogance. It isn’t an easy thing to admit but I lost my focus.” Fernandez, one of the countries best medal hopefuls that year was booted out in the first round of flyweight competition by Italian Geremia Di Constanzo.

“It was a sobering experience for me,” he later reflected. “I was young and immature thinking I was a hotshot. Then reality hit me square in the face that maybe I wasn’t as good as I thought I was. I prayed long and hard for one more chance. One more chance to do it right and to redeem myself for the Philippines.” 

Four years later, Fernandez once more made the national team to Barcelona. Only this time, he was burdened not only by a dream of redemption but also for hope. “My mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer at that time and I left for Spain with a heavy heart. I wanted to win this not only for the country that hasn’t had much luck in terms of medals but also for my mother.”

This time, Fernandez, moving up in weight class to the bantamweight division, made it almost all the way, winning a bronze medal this time against another Italian, Domenico D’Alise. “When the national anthem was played, I had tears coming down my face. I have heard our national anthem played so many times before that but at that time, it was the best. I cried also because this is for the country. And most especially, for my mother.” 

“What our athletes need today is more exposure,” advised Fernandez. “You can say that when we get there, we are in awe of some of these athletes who we read and know about and are in some ways, celebrities of the sport. But other countries also come in the same way. I think going to the olympics, you not only train hard but you need to get exposed to top flight competition to know where you are and what to improve on. But equally important is the focus. Focus, you hear it a lot but that makes the difference.”

40 high school cagers tryout for SM-NBTC All-Star Game

This appears on philstar.com

40 high school cagers tryout for SM-NBTC All-Star Game

by rick olivares photo by brosi gonzales

Over 40 of the best high school basketball players descended on the San Beda College gym in Manila over the past weekend to tryout for the fifth annual SM-National Basketball Training Center All-Star Game. Players from the traditional Metro Manila juniors cage powers such as San Beda, Ateneo, La Salle, Xavier, and provincial schools such the University of Visayas (Cebu), Ateneo De Iloilo, Ateneo De Cebu, Doña Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School (Silay City, Negros Occidental), University of St. La Salle (Bacolod), Corpus Christi College (Cagayan De Oro), Assumption College of Davao, and Southern City College (Zamboanga) scrimmaged under the watchful eye of noted coach Ato Badolato, Michael Oliver, Alex Compton, and Eric Altamirano.

“It is a honor alone to be named as one of the best high school players around the country,” exclaimed Jed Colonia of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo De Cebu. “If I am selected to be a part of the All-Star Team then it will be one of the highlights in my young career. And to play in the Mall of Asia Arena… cool!”

Colonia, the six-foot swingman who is the Juniors Most Valuable Player in CESAFI, also hopes to guide his Magis Eagles to back-to-back NBTC titles on March 17.

The SM-NBTC All-Star Game will be played on March 16, 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The previous recipients of the annual high school All-Star Game (in order) are Mapua’s Ace Basas, Letran’s Rey Nambatac, and Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena and Mike Nieto in succession.

“I know that a lot of coaches will also be watching,” noted Mapua’s 6’1” swingman Sherwin Concepcion who dazzled during the tryouts with his dead-eye three-point shooting and tenacious rebounding. “Although I still have two more years in the Juniors Division because of the K-12, this tryout is a good experience for me. Imagine me scrimmaging against the best. You want to show that you belong and even learn a few things from them.”

“The All-Star Game is a showcase for these young stars,” summed up NBTC Training Director and Alaska Aces head coach Alex Compton. “In the past years, we’ve had players from the big programs stand up. Although Ace Basas comes from a good program like Mapua, he was one of the more unheralded players in that batch. Maybe we’ll see some of those under-the-radar players step up this year again.”

The NBTC is a nationwide grassroots program under the auspices of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas that aims to identify, prepare, and develop outstanding players from public and private schools nationwide.