UAAP searches for heroes as they gird for the Season 73 wars

This article appears in the Tuesday July 6, 2010 edition of the Business Mirror.

UAAP searches for heroes as they gird for the Season 73 wars

When asked to assess the chances of his UST Growling Tigers, head coach Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio, pegged his team at eighth place. But whether “the Fireman” was being modest or not, he came back with a simple warning. “Ewan ko lang, swerte yung dilaw ngayon.” he said referring to the colors of the Aquino administration as the packed Topaz Room of the Gateway Suites in Cubao, Quezon City erupted in laughter.

It was a light atmosphere at the press conference for the 72^nd Season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. Perhaps the calm before the storm gets underway this Saturday July 10, 2010 when the league opens at the Araneta Coliseum.

Br. Bernie Oca, FSC, President of De La Salle University and the UAAP Board this season announced to the general public the theme for this year, “Where heroes are made.”

“This is a perfect time for our country because we need heroes. And heroism is something that isn’t confined to a battlefield. It can be in our everyday lives and on the basketball court and other fields of play.”

In line with the heroes theme, there will be a search for a “Campus Hero” where anyone students from the member schools can be nominated for their activity, endeavors, or charitable causes. The winner will be announced in the closing ceremonies that will close the year’s competitions. “That will be similar to the Olympics where there is a closing ceremony,” added Bro. Bernie. “It will be a venue to honor the most valuable players of the 15 different athletic competitions and it will also feature the last competition of the year -- a drumline and street dance competition that will have no bearing on the standings or race for the general championship.”

While UST is once more favored to go for their 38^th general championship, the road to a third consecutive men’s basketball championship will not be a smooth ride for the back-to-back champions Ateneo Blue Eagles. Norman Black, Ateneo head coach said that the road to another title isn’t going to be easy. “It’s not that we lost some key players from last year – everyone lost players. It’s that everyone got better as well.”

Far Eastern University, with more blue chip recruits to beef up its already potent crew are pre-season favorites to unseat the Blue Eagles.

Bro. Bernie also mentioned that a code of conduct for the fans and supporters of the team will be passed out to all the schools.

Famed San Beda Red Cubs coach Ato Badolato, this year’s commissioner, said that more attention will be paid to the officiating. “We want players to decide the outcome of the games. Not the referees.”

Peter Musngi, Vice President for Sports of UAAP television carrier ABS CBN revealed the for the first time, the finals will be shown simulcast on Channel 2, Studio 2 with replays on Balls TV.

The opening ceremony will be at 12 noon with the traditional palabas to be presided by La Salle, the host school. Then the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons will square off with the De La Salle Green Archers at 2pm while the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers take on the University of the East Red Warriors in the main game at 4pm. Rick Olivares