Ateneo, La Salle seek to continue impressive pace in UAAP volleyball

Ateneo closes its grueling stretch this week with a matchup against UP later this afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

The Lady Eagles took care of their matchup against NU on Sunday before battling a game Adamson side that took them to the limit on Wednesday, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14, 22-25, 15-10.

A win by the defending champions will allow them to secure a twice-to-beat edge in the postseason, but according to MVP Alyssa Valdez, their head coach Tai Bundit shares that "it's not about the win, it's about playing our game."

Ateneo had their hands full against the Lady Maroons in the first round (25-18, 22-25, 25-20, 15-25, 15-10 last January 4), although this time they won't have to deal with Kathy Bersola. Valdez praised the vastly-improved Diliman squad, noting that "they (UP) work as a team naman. Sobrang galing din ng adjustment nila."

After the 2pm Battle of Katipunan, La Salle is seeking to claim a postseason berth against National University at 4pm.

The Lady Spikers aim to keep in step with their rivals, as they attempt to prolong the struggles of the Lady Bulldogs under the new regime of Roger Gorayeb. 

Ateneo, UST remain undefeated in UAAP baseball

Ateneo held on to beat University of the Philippines, 8-6, keeping the reigning UAAP baseball champions unbeaten Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Blue Batters were comfortably ahead, 8-2, after Dino Altomonte touched home on a passed ball in the seventh inning, but the Maroons made a last ditch rally with two runs each in the final two innings, only to fell short in their upset bid after James Legaspi lined one out to second baseman Radito Banzon for the final out.

The other two games on Thursday were high-scoring affairs, with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Batters winning a close one over Adamson, 12-10, to join Ateneo on top with a 2-0 slate, while former champions National University rallied past last season’s runners-up La Salle, 8-7, with the Bulldogs belting two runs at the bottom of the ninth against the Green Batters to tie their victims at 1-1.

The Falcons and the Maroons fell to 0-2.

Ateneo nets 13th straight in HS basketball elims

The Ateneo Blue Eaglets are at the cusp of securing a return trip to the finals, after they clobbered the University of the East, 101-77 in UAAP Juniors basketball action at the Blue Eagle Gym on Wednesday.

Last season's losing finalists secured their 13th win in a row in large part from the combined efforts of national team youth standouts Jolo Mendoza and twins Matthew and Mike Nieto.

The sons of Ateneo legend Jet Nieto combined for 37 points and 22 rebounds, while Mendoza added seventeen markers in the win, putting them one game away from sweeping the eliminations.

Meanwhile, James Pasturan's 18 points helped Adamson defeat defending champions National University, 74-64, keeping their hopes of a twice-to-beat advantage intact. The Baby Falcons will face UST this Saturday, while the Bullpups will close out the elininations against Ateneo.

La Salle-Zobel and FEU-Diliman secured separate wins as they head into their virtual playoff for the final postseason slot. The Junior Archers relied on Aljun Melencio's 19 points in their 66-53 win over the Tiger Cubs, while Christian Fajarito led the Baby Tams to a 60-52 win over UPIS. The Zobel-FEU matchup will kick off the quadruple-header at the Blue Eagle Gym at 9am.

UST, Ateneo secure victories in women's volleyball

Standings  W   L
Ateneo       9   0
La Salle     8    1
UP             4    5
UST           4    5
FEU           4    5
NU             4    5
Adamson   3    6
UE             0    9

Games Saturday at Filoil Flying V Arena:
8 a.m. – Ateneo vs NU (men)
10 a.m. – UST vs Adamson (men)
2 p.m. – Ateneo vs UP (women)
4 p.m. – NU vs La Salle (women)

Ateneo claimed its ninth straight win in women's volleyball on Wednesday afternoon, surviving a five-set battle against a game Adamson squad, 25-21 17-25 25-14 22-25 and 15-10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

In spite of their current form, the Lady Falcons managed to make it difficult for the defending champions to snatch the victory, something that reigning league MVP Alyssa Valdez shared post-match.

"They (Adamson) always give a good fight, as in every time since I started playing college volleyball. Yung defense nila, as in super superb talaga," she quipped. She added that "totally wala kaming communication today, Adamson just enjoyed the game. They went here to really play against us."

Valdez would finish with a season-high 30 points and added 14 digs, while Amy Ahomiro netted her fifth-straight double-figure scoring performance with 12 points. Ella de Jesus also added twelve for the Lady Eagles, as they overcame 33 errors, as well as dealing with a less-than-100% Denden Lazaro.

The troika of Jessica Galanza, Amanda Villanueva, and Mylene Paat took charge for the Lady Falcons with a combined total of 48 points, but they could not prevent themselves from suffering their fourth straight defeat.

In the earlier game, Cherry Rondina and the UST Golden Tigresses secured their third straight win with a 25-22 25-19 and 25-18 win over NU. The rookie from Cebu led the team with 15 points, including two blocks. Veteran mainstays Pam Lastimosa and Carmela Tunay each contributed eight points, while EJ Laure and Ria Meneses had six markers.

UST mentor Odjie Mamon said after the match, "Umaangat kami at maganda ang mindset ng mga bata na nananalo sila."He added that they prepared well against Jaja Santiago and Myla Pablo. Jaja led the Lady Bulldogs with 14 points, while Myla was limited to just seven markers.

The victory allows UST to join their victims, alongside idle squads UP and FEU, in a quadruple-tie for third place with a 4-5 slate.

In the men's side, a four-way tie for first was secured with UST and Ateneo securing wins against separate opposition.

Mark Alfafara led the Tiger Spikers to a 25-21 25-23 25-22 win over FEU, while Marck Espejo towed the Blue Spikers to a 25-17 25-17 and 26-24 win over winless UE.

The two join idle NU and Adamson with a 7-2 record, setting up titanic Saturday morning clash involving all four teams. The Bulldogs kick off Saturday action at the San Juan Arena against Ateneo at 8am, followed by the Falcons going against UST at 10.

UAAP Season 77 Second Round Men's Football Schedule

As released to us on Monday night (EDIT: since updated on Tuesday afternoon), here are the aforementioned schedules for the football games to be played for the next four to five weeks:

Women's

DATE	VENUE	TIME	LIGHT	VS	DARK
JAN. 24	ATENEO	4PM	UST		FEU
JAN. 25	FEU-D	1PM	La Salle		Ateneo
FEB. 1	ATENEO	3PM	UP		Ateneo
	FEU-D	1PM	La Salle		FEU
FEB. 7	ATENEO	4PM	UP		FEU
	ATENEO	6PM	UST		La Salle
FEB. 14	ATENEO	4PM	FEU		Ateneo
FEB. 15	FEU-D	1PM	UP		UST
FEB. 21	ATENEO	4PM	Ateneo		UST
	ATENEO	6PM	La Salle		UP

Men's

DATE	VENUE	TIME	LIGHT	VS	DARK
JAN. 24	ATENEO	6PM	NU		UE
JAN. 25	ATENEO	1PM	UP		Ateneo
	ATENEO	3PM	UST		Adamson
	FEU-D	3PM	FEU		La Salle
JAN. 29	FEU-D	1PM	UE		Ateneo
	FEU-D	3PM	La Salle		UST
JAN. 31	ATENEO	4PM	UP		NU
	ATENEO	6PM	Adamson		FEU
FEB. 1	ATENEO	1PM	UST		UE
	FEU-D	3PM	Ateneo		La Salle
FEB. 5	FEU-D	1PM	Adamson		NU
	FEU-D	3PM	FEU		UP
FEB. 8	ATENEO	1PM	UST		UP
	ATENEO	3PM	UE		La Salle
	FEU-D	1PM	Ateneo		Adamson
	FEU-D	3PM	NU		FEU
FEB. 12	FEU-D	1PM	NU		UST
	FEU-D	3PM	FEU		Ateneo
FEB. 14	ATENEO	6PM	UE		UP
FEB. 15	ATENEO	1PM	NU		Ateneo
	ATENEO	3PM	FEU		UST
	FEU-D	3PM	La Salle		Adamson
FEB. 19	FEU-D	1PM	Adamson		UE
	FEU-D	3PM	La Salle		UP
FEB. 22	ATENEO	1PM	UP		Adamson
	ATENEO	3PM	La Salle		NU
	FEU-D	1PM	FEU		UE
	FEU-D	3PM	Ateneo		UST

Important to note that the Thursday games are televised on Friday afternoons on ABS-CBN Sports & Action.

Philippine Volleyball Federation stabilizes itself, even without POC recognition

PVF Sec-Gen "Otie" Camangian (c/o Sam Santana)

The Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) seemed to have settled its internal matters on its own a couple of weeks ago, with the Board of Directors convening at the Cantada Sports Center in Paranaque to iron out kinks within the federation.

PVF Secretary-General Rustico "Otie" Camangian revealed that the meeting yielded "many positive results," acknowledging that the priority of those in attendance is to ensure progress in Philippine volleyball.

Among the matters that took place in the BOD meeting which Otie cited are the selection of new personnel to take previously vacated positions, as well as the continued plan to host the Asian Volleyball Confederation U-23 women's championship.

Otie also remarked that the PVF intends to continue with its plans as well as its development programs currently in place or to be deployed.

The BOD made the decision to replace the recently-departed Pedro Mendoza, Jr. with Edgardo Cantada as the new Chairman. With Karl Chan being designated and since reaffirmed as the federation president, incumbent board member D'Artagnan Yambao has been slotted in as the Vice President.

Camangian speaking to a gathering. (c/o Czar Dancel)

Otie himself was reaffirmed as the Sec-Gen in that same meeting.

As for the status of the national teams, the BOD has "upheld and approved" of its formation and constitution. Cantada has offered his facilities as a possible training venue if the need arises.

The PVF pegged the elections to take place on January 25 at the Philippine Navy Golf Club, with Cantada, Chan, former federation chiefs Victorico Chavez, Roger Banzuela, and Ricky Palou, ex-national team member and broadcaster Mozzy Ravena, sports journalist Al Mendoza, as well as Arnel Hajan, and Mariano Diet See elected to the nine-man board. However, the elections proceeded without the presence of the Philippine Olympic Committee, which remains in pursuit to assert control.

Lakers release statement on Kobe Bryant injury

Kobe against the Pelicans, where he tore his rotator cuff.

The Lakers released a statement on Monday (early Tuesday morning in Manila) regarding Kobe Bryant and his rotator cuff injury:

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who injured his right shoulder in last Wednesday night’s game against the Pelicans in New Orleans, was examined this morning by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic. Dr. ElAttrache confirmed an earlier diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff, and advised Bryant to have surgery to repair the shoulder. Bryant has agreed, and surgery has been scheduled for Wednesday morning. A timeline estimate for Bryant’s return will be issued following the surgery.

A couple of days earlier, Kobe, in his capacity as Editorial Director at The Players Tribune, posted this video illustrating his meeting with team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo.



It is most likely that the soon-to-be Hall of Famer will be out for the remainder of the season.

UAAP volleyball set to resume

Women's Volleyball Standings as of 1/11/2015           

Team    W    L           
Ateneo    7    0           
La Salle   6    1           
NU    4    3           
Adamson    3    4           
FEU    3    4           
UP    3    4           
UST    2    5           
UE    0    7           

Men's Volleyball Standings as of 1/11/2015           

Team    W    L           
NU    6    1           
Adamson    6    1           
UST    5    2           
Ateneo    5    2           
UP    3    4           
FEU    2    5           
La Salle    1    6           
UE    0    7     

Games today at the Mall of Asia Arena:

8 a.m. – NU vs UP (men)
10 a.m. – Adamson vs La Salle (men)
2 p.m. – UP vs UE (women)
4 p.m. – FEU vs La Salle (women)

Second round action for UAAP volleyball commences today at the Mall of Asia Arena, with title contenders NU and La Salle aiming to shake off losses to their first round campaigns in men's and women's, respectively. The league had taken a break due to the Papal visit.

The first match of second round features men's volleyball action, as defending champions NU face UP at 8am. Adamson tries to keep pace with their fellow league leaders as they go up against the struggling Green Spikers of La Salle at 10.

The afternoon session sees UP face a winless UE side at 2pm. The Lady Maroons will play their first game without last season's Best Blocker Kathy Bersola, who is done for the season after an ACL injury during their 4-set victory over Adamson last year.

The other women's volleyball matchup sees La Salle try to bounce from their first loss of the season against FEU at 4pm.

With the Lady Maroons and the Lady Tamaraws tied at 3-4, a win here could help each school in their respective quest to make the postseason and get a leg up on rivals Adamson, UST and NU.

As for last season's losing finalists, a win here allows them to get back on track after being defeated by fierce rivals and defending champions Ateneo.

UAAP Chess report after two rounds

Before it enforced the Papal break, the UAAP conducted two rounds of its chess tournament at the Henry Sy building inside the La Salle campus at Taft Avenue.

The men's division sees Adamson and NU share top billing with six points out of a possible eight.

Season 76's runners-up Falcons secured a 2.5-1.5 win over UST to open their campaign, then followed that up with a 3.5-0.5 blowout of UP.

As for last year's Rookie of the Year Austin Literatus and his Bulldogs, they downed Ateneo and then defending champions FEU with identical 3-1 scorelines.

UST is in solo third place, a half-point behind at 5.5.

Meanwhile, FEU has solo leadership on the women's division with 5.5 points, holding on to a half-point lead over La Salle.

WIM Janelle Mae Frayna defeated her fellow WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda was the highlight for the Lady Tamaraws's 2.5-1.5 win over their Green counterparts. They followed that up with a 3-1 win over UE.

The Lady Woodpushers of Taft bounced back from the loss with a 3.5-0.5 thrashing of NU.

In spite of that thrashing, the Lady Bulldogs are in joint third place with UST, each toting 4.5 points.

Pawn-pushing will resume on Wednesday with third round action.

"13th Month Bonus" kicks off 2015 poker action at Solaire

Poker promoter Mike Kim (Photo by: Jamil Buergo)

The poker industry kicks off its 2015 campaign with a five-day "13th Month Bonus" festival at the FORUM, inside the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque.

The January 22-26 festival is a celebration of Solaire Poker Room's first anniversary, and the festivities is highlighted by the PhP 3 million-worth Main Event.

According to promoter Mike Kim, the "13th Month Bonus" is an appropriate title for the festival, given that the Solaire Poker Room is now operating for 13 months, having been open since December 2013. He adds that the event serves as "an opportunity to give out a thirteenth-month bonus to their loyal players, many of which will be participating in the competition for free."

Kim sees at least three hundred players for the festival, as poker enthusiasts might see this as a chance to stop by and participate, given that a major poker event is slated to take place in Cebu later this month.

Qualifers (with PhP 1,100 buy-ins) are already underway for up to three available seats in the Main Event, which has a PhP 10,000 buy-in. The winner in the Main Event will receive PhP 1 million. In case one is eliminated early enough, up to six re-entries can be conducted.

There are also three Side Events leading to the Main Event (No Limit Hold 'Em (NLHE) Head Hunter, NLHE High Roller, and Pot Limit Omaha (PLO)).

Any queries on the 13th Month Bonus can be addressed at the Solaire Poker Room’s Facebook page.