GMA set to showcase NCAA Season 101 volleyball

Building Greatness

Fresh from the completion of the Juniors and Seniors Basketball portion of the 101st season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, GMA is set to showcase the clash for supremacy on the taraflex with the start of the volleyball tournament this Friday, January 23, at the San Andres Sports Complex.

The league is set to hold the Opening Ceremony at 10am, followed by a quadruple-header.

Defending champions College of Saint Benilde is set to kick off their quest for a fifth straight crown in the women's division in a high noon showdown against Mapua, to be followed by the duel between potential title challengers Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Arellano at 230pm.

The men then take over, with the CSB facing Mapua at 5pm and the capping off the festivities with the finals rematch between Letran and Arellano at 730pm.

This season's Volleyball Chairman Fr. Victor C. Calvo, Jr. shares, "For NCAA Season 101 Volleyball, we have some modifications like the [tournament format where there will be two groupings], so that the tournament will be more exciting and unpredictable. The Philippines is a volleyball country, so we are trying very hard to make this season, as much as possible, competitive, and for the enjoyment of the fans."

Like their basketball counterparts, the league has split the teams into two groups of five, with Group A featuring CSB, Mapua, San Sebastian, Jose Rizal University, and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, and Group B comprising of Letran, Arellano, Lyceum, San Beda, and Emilio Aguinaldo College. The same format, including the play-in, will be adopted as well for this tournament.

Volleyball matches will be televised LIVE every Wednesday at 11am on GTV, and 230pm on both GTV and Heart of Asia. Fridays will be at 12nn and 230pm on HOA, while Sundays at the same time on both GTV and HOA. Games will also be streamed the league's official social media platforms, as well as on GMA Sports. Fans abroad will be able to watch through GMA News TV.

Regional TV Department and Concurrent Head, Central Office Operations and Synergy Officer-in-Charge Marivic Araneta says, "As the proud home of the NCAA, GMA Network, thru GMA Synergy, is committed to providing the best viewing experience for all the NCAA supporters and Kapuso sports enthusiasts. With the competitive spirit of all participating NCAA volleyball teams, this season’s... Volleyball Tournament is definitely something to look forward to. We invite everyone to show their support and witness the incomparable determination and world-class skills of all student athletes."

UST blowout ensure ownership of UAAP high school baseball leaderboard after first round

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 High School Baseball Standings
TEAM W-L
UST 3-1
DLSZ 2-2
NUNS 2-2
SRG 2-2
Ateneo 1-3

In a finals rematch seven years in the making, defending champion University of Santo Tomas reasserted its mastery over Ateneo de Manila University with an 18-6, seven-inning rout to secure the top spot at the end of the first round of the UAAP Season 88 High School Baseball Tournament on Wednesday.

The Junior Golden Sox’s third win in four games provided a timely boost heading into the second round, still to be held at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Coliseum, as they bounced back from an 11-13 upset loss to PAREF Southridge in their previous outing.

“Huwag lang maliitin ang kalaban kahit nakikita nila na tinatambakan ng previous games, parehong magagaling yan minalas lang ang mga yun. Kapag nag kumpyansa kasi, pag naiskoran mabibigla na lang ang player hindi na makabangon. Killer instinct dapat, hindi puwedeng nagkukumpyansa,” said UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago, recalling his reminders to the team before the game.

Joshua Ibabao starred for UST with a perfect day at the plate, reaching safely in all five of his plate appearances. The third baseman drove in five runs on three hits—including a double and a triple—while also drawing two walks. He stole three bases and crossed the plate in all five appearances.

Right fielder Joem Paragas also delivered, going 3-for-4 with two triples as the Junior Golden Sox piled up 12 hits, showcased patience with nine walks, and capitalized on Ateneo’s six errors.

UST applied pressure early with a 15-run outburst in the first four innings, a deficit Ateneo could not overcome despite a four-run rally in the top of the fifth that trimmed the gap to 15-6.

The Junior Golden Sox added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of Paragas, Ibabao, and Jacky Lobos on a passed ball, an error, and a Marcus Dela Cerna single, respectively. Eugene Hermozura then closed the game by retiring the side in the top of the seventh to enforce the mercy rule.

Ponce Ignacio paced Ateneo with three RBIs on a double to left field in the fifth inning, while ace pitcher Mio Ilagan lasted just 1 1/3 innings after surrendering three hits and five walks that led to six early runs.

The Blue Eagles absorbed their second straight loss, dropping to 1-3 and sliding to solo fifth place.

Meanwhile, De La Salle Zobel forced a three-way tie for second place after outlasting National University Nazareth School, 9-8, in 10 innings.

DLSZ, NUNS, and Southridge will all carry identical 2-2 records heading into the second round.

The Junior Green Batters appeared in control early, building a 7-1 lead, but the Bullpups stormed back with a five-run seventh inning and added another in the eighth to knot the contest at 7-all.

With two outs and Juancho Gatmaitan on first in the bottom of the ninth, Carlos Zulueta ripped a double to left field. Gatmaitan gambled and tried to score, but a perfect relay by NUNS cut him down at the plate, giving the Bullpups a walk-off opportunity.

DLSZ pitcher Andrei Valeros, however, kept NUNS scoreless to force extra innings.

In the 10th, the Junior Green Batters regained their composure as Alfonso Alcantara and Aljun Tapia knocked in automatic runners Gatmaitan and Zulueta on shallow singles to give DLSZ a 9-7 lead.

NUNS attempted to walk it off—or at least extend the game—after pinch hitter Steven Alfante laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Orlando Cedillo and John Adriano into scoring position. Kyle Montallana followed with a grounder to right field that brought Cedillo home.

Valeros, however, shut the door by striking out Vhins Adanza and John Plaza to seal the dramatic victory for DLSZ.

“We came sa talo against Ateneo, something similar na hinabol kami, so sabi ko hindi ko papabayaan ito. Kilala ko ang boys ko, kilala rin nila ang sarili nila. Kapag ayaw nilang ibigay, hindi talaga nila ibibigay (ang panalo),” said DLSZ head coach Gil Encarnado Jr.

Amadeus Trozado— the lone player to homer in the first round—led the Junior Green Batters with three hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases. Valeros was also a presence at the plate, drawing two intentional walks while adding a hit and two RBIs.

On the mound, Valeros was equally impressive. He worked the first 6 2/3 innings before briefly switching positions with shortstop Jan Soriano, then returned to pitch the final 2 1/3 frames, allowing just five hits and striking out 10 batters.

First Game:
Team    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
Ateneo    1    0    1    0    4    0    0    x    x    6    8    6
UST    2    5    5    3    0    3    x    x    x    18    12    3

Second Game:
Team    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    R    H    E
DLSZ    0    0    0    1    6    0    0    0    0    2    9    12    9
NUNS    0    0    0    1    0    0    5    1    0    1    8    6    4

Emana earns wild card into Philippine Women’s Open qualifying

Kaye Ann Emana (third from left) earned a wild card slot to the Philippine Women's Open qualifying round after beating Elizabeth Abarquez (second from left) in the finals of the PHILTA qualifying meet at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center last Thursday night. Flanking them are PHILTA Executive Director Tonette Mendoza (left) and PHILTA board member and former national team standout Dyan Castillejo (right).

Displaying both skill and stamina, UAAP Season 87 Tennis MVP Kaye Ann Emana of UST outplayed varsity rival Elizabeth Abarquez of NU 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 last Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center to book a ticket to the qualifying draw of the Philippine Women’s Open. 

Mixing her shots well throughout the match,  Emana reasserted her mastery over the frustrated Abarquez with another straight-set triumph, reprising their clash in the UAAP women’s tennis tournament finals last year. 

Even more impressive was the fact that the bespectacled netter was just an hour away from completing a 6-4, 6-4 conquest of top seed Tiffany Nocos in the semifinals after their match was suspended the previous night  following the first set due to heavy rain. 

When play resumed late yesterday afternoon, Emana showed grit in rallying from a 1-4 second-set deficit to win the next five games and set up a showdown with Abarquez for the coveted wild card ticket in the qualifying meet organized by the Philippine Tennis Association and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

“Thankful po ako and excited to get the wild card (for the Philippine Women’s Open qualifying draw). At kinakabahan din po kasi first time kong makakalaban ang mga mas magagaling na player doon sa qualifying round,” she said. 

She credited her strong mindset in recovering from a 0-2 deficit in the first set against Abarquez to force the tie-breaker after they wound up deadlocked at 6-all after 12 games. 

“Up and down ang laro ko po sa first set kaya nag-take advantage na lang po ako ng mukhang na-frustrate na siya, lalo sa tiebreaker when I took a 3-0 lead,” Emana said of the turning point in the match. 

Gaining confidence with each shot in the second set, the player  was in complete control, surging to an imposing 5-1 lead against her demoralized foe on the way to sealing her slot in the qualifying round of the Philippine Women’s Open.

Abarquez acknowledged that she was flustered by her foe’s deceptive and unpredictable switching of shots that disrupted her game, leading to her downfall.

“Deceptive po ang mga shots niya (Emana). Akala ko malayo tapos malapit sa net babagsak yung bola. Hindi ako makaporma talaga,” rued the Cebuana player, who recalled that it was virtually the same result she had against her rival when they tangled in last UAAP women’s tennis finals. 

Both players noted the marked improvement of the playing conditions on the resurfaced hard courts with more than a week to go before the start of the country’s first WTA 125 tournament sanctioned by the Women’s Tennis Association.     

PHILTA official and co-PWO tournament director Dyan Castillejo advised Abarquez to keep practicing in case the wildcard opportunity opens up. The qualifying draw will be staged Jan. 24 to 25 before the main draw kicks off on Jan. 26.

Southridge earns comeback triumph over UST

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 HS Baseball Standings
NUNS 2-1
UST 2-1
SRG 2-2
DLSZ 1-2
Ateneo 1-2

Games on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium
8 a.m. - UST vs Ateneo
11 a.m. - NUNS vs DLSZ

Coming off a disastrous defeat, PAREF Southridge bounced back in spectacular fashion, pulling off a 13-11 upset over defending champion University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 88 High School Baseball Tournament on Saturday.

The Admirals recovered from their crushing 27-6, six-inning loss to National University Nazareth School last Wednesday, also at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Coliseum, to finish the first round with an even 2-2 record, currently sitting in solo third place.

Southridge built a commanding 9-0 lead after the fourth inning, but the once-unbeaten UST squad refused to fold easily.

The Junior Golden Sox rallied with 11 runs across the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to tie the game at 11, following Southridge’s two-run effort in the bottom of the fifth.

However, the Admirals showed resilience after what looked like a meltdown. Luis Chavez gave Southridge the lead in the bottom of the eighth, doubling down the left-field line, stealing third, and then scoring on a wild pitch.

Yano Antonio, stationed at third, extended the lead to 13-11 with a successful double steal alongside Mio Borja, who advanced from first to second.

Southridge closer JC Basañes then shut down UST in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and two outs. With a 1-1 count, Basañes struck out Van Ibabao in the next two pitches to leave the bases full and secure the gutsy victory.

“Number one, dapat hindi kami ganito manalo. We came from two sorry losses; we lost via mercy rule twice, so I told the boys that we’re forgetting to have fun and always remember kung sino kayo. You were the Palarong Pambansa champions two to three years ago,” said Admirals head coach Bocc Bernardo.

Aside from keeping the Junior Golden Sox scoreless in the final 2⅓ innings, Basañes also contributed two hits, including a double.

In the other game, National University Nazareth School overcame an error-prone Ateneo de Manila University, 9-4, for its second straight victory.

Trailing 0-4, the Blue Eagles cut the deficit in the top of the seventh inning with a two-run effort. A sacrifice fly by Tommy Oblea and an RBI single by Miguel Cruzat scored Janko Sevilla and Raffy Blaza, respectively, bringing Ateneo to 2-4.

But the Bullpups responded immediately in the bottom half, scoring five runs to widen the lead to 9-2. John Plaza, Orlando Cedillo, and Justin Lauriquez crossed the plate off hits by Lauriquez and Jericho Catchero, as well as a sacrifice hit by Chester Mateo.

Ateneo’s errors also played a role, with three miscues allowing Catchero and John Adriano to score, extending NUNS’ lead to 9-2.

“We’ll just keep improving lang every game. Alam namin marami pa kaming kailangang i-improve sa team kaya hindi kami titigil,” said head coach Romar Landicho, as NUNS tied UST atop the standings at 2-1 with its second straight win.

Lauriquez led the Bullpups’ offense with two hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases, while winning pitcher Vhins Adanza tossed six innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run.

Sancho Afuang and Raffy Blaza recorded two hits apiece for the Blue Eagles, who slipped to 1-2.

First Game:
TEAM    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
Ateneo    0    0    0    0    0    0    2    2    0    4    7    7
NUNS    1    0    1    1    1    0    5    0    x    9    8    2

Second Game:
TEAM    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
UST    0    0    0    0    3    4    4    0    0    11    7    3
SRG    2    3    0    4    2    0    0    2    x    13    11    4

UST smash La Salle-Zobel to open UAAP HS Girls Basketball title defense

c/o UAAP

Games on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym
8 a.m. - AdU vs UST (Boys)
10 a.m. - FEU-D vs NUNS (Boys)
12 p.m. - Ateneo vs DLSZ (Boys)
2 p.m. - UPIS vs UE (Boys)
4 p.m. - UST vs Ateneo (Girls)

University of Santo Tomas shook off early jitters to fend off De La Salle Zobel, 90-59, and open its UAAP Season 88 Girls’ Basketball Tournament title defense on a strong note Wednesday morning at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Moving on from the graduation of their championship core—Season 87 MVP Barby Dajao, Janna Wenceslao, and Grachelle Boteros—the Junior Growling Tigresses brushed aside a slow start behind a pivotal second-quarter surge led by Riri Perez, Lea Pinuela, and Indonesian center Koukou Talla.

Perez came close to finishing with a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists, on top of three steals and two blocks. Talla provided solid support with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting clip, along with 12 rebounds, two assists, and one block.

With the victory, the Junior Growling Tigresses joined modern-day rival National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups—who cruised past the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles last Sunday—as the early leaders in the four-team field.

“Kulang pa kami sa calmness and stability doon sa first few quarters. We hope na pagdating namin sa mga next games, slowly that the girls can adjust, lalo na yung bago na first-timer na naglalaro,” UST head coach Sen Dysangco said.

“I hope they will grow into it [and] that they mature fast enough para malabas nila yung laro nila,” he added.

After a sluggish opening quarter that saw the Junior Lady Archers lead by as many as five points, UST seized control with a commanding 28-15 second period. Back-to-back layups from Pinuela and an and-one basket by Sandra Abrantes highlighted the surge, as the Tigresses went into halftime with a 45-32 advantage.

From there, the Tigresses stayed firmly in the driver’s seat. Three straight layups by Pinuela, Perez, and Sabel Anacan capped a decisive 22-6 run that ballooned a 13-point lead into a commanding 67-38 cushion.

De La Salle Zobel showed signs of life when Ching Gales converted a layup to trim the deficit to 69-49 with under seven minutes remaining. However, a Perez three-pointer, a Janice Oczon layup, and a Talla free throw quickly restored an insurmountable 77-51 lead with 5:21 left on the clock.

Oczon chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds, and one steal, while Pinuela tallied 10 points, five assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Pia Petalcorin added eight points, two assists, two steals, one block, and one rebound, and Abrantes finished with seven points, four rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and one assist.

The Junior Growling Tigresses look to sustain their winning momentum when they clash with the Blue Eagles this Sunday, January 18, at 4 p.m. at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

For De La Salle Zobel, Ima Navarro led the way with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Gales contributed 13 points, four rebounds, one steal, and one block in the losing effort.

The Junior Lady Archers will aim for their first win when they face the Lady Bullpups next Thursday, January 22, at the same time and venue.

The Scores:

UST (90) - Perez 19, Talla 15, Oczon 13, Pinuela 10, Petalcorin 8, Abrantes 7, Townes 5, Labay 4, Mateo 4, Arciaga 3, Anacan 2, Kallos 0, Capinpin 0, Hew 0.

DLSZ (59) - Navarro 15, Gales 13, Martinez 9, Padigos 8, Ogario 6, Dulay 4, Gerona 3, Winar 1, Contreras 0, Roque 0, Sanares 0.

Quarterscores: 17-17, 45-32, 67-46, 90-59.

Philippines ready to host inaugural WTA 125 event in the country

"WTA 125 Manila. We are ready!" 

This was the assurance given yesterday by organizers regarding preparations for the Philippine Women's Open, the country's first Women's Tennis Association tournament,  set from Jan. 26 to 31 at the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. 

"We are glad with the partnership of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Tennnis Association. The PSC is the enabler of events," noted Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio said during the press conference yesterday at the Lanson Place in Pasay City two weeks before the event begins. 

"You go there (the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center) and see hundreds of workers working into the wee hours of the morning. We have not only mobilized the PSC group but also the City of Manila and the DPWH. It is a beautiful transformation," he said of the upgrading of the entire Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for the meet.  

"So we have no second thoughts in giving financial support for this project and to NSAs that realize and understand the vision of the Philippine Sports Commission," the PSC chief stressed. 

"The fact that we are already using the courts for a qualifying tournament among our top local players for the Philippine Women's Open means that it (the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center) is almost ready," said PHILTA secretary general John Rey Tiangco at the same briefing.   

"We are confident that with the PSC beside us that we will be able to finish on time." 

Tiangco, also the Navotas City Mayor and  a former age group standout and national player, said that hosting  the inaugural Philippine Women's Open was a big deal for Philippine tennis development. 

"Malaking bagay po ito.  This is not just a one-time event, an investment for Philippine tennis. We are building a whole new ecosystem that will allow our local players to compete against world-class opponents," he said. 

The PHILTA secured a three-year  agreement with the Women's Tennis Association to stage the WTA 125 tournament, according to Tiangco. 

Meanwhile, tickets are now available for the competition, according to PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza,  with the price pegged at P200 each  and free seating for the qualifying round  matches from Jan. 24 to  25. 

In the main draw from the round of 32 to the quarterfinals frrom Jan. 26 to 29, ticket prices will be at P1,000, with free seating, Mendoza said. 

On the other hand,  tickets for singles semifinals and doubles finals on Jan. 30  will cost P1,500 for the standard pass and P2,000 for the premium pass, which will also be the ticket prices for the championship match on the last day on Jan. 31, she said.

UAAP revives HS Baseball tournament, adds PAREF-Southridge

c/o UAAP

Games today at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium
8 a.m. - DLSZ vs UST
11 a.m. - Southridge vs Ateneo

High school baseball is set to make its return to the UAAP after a six-year hiatus.

Last staged in Season 82 (2019), the UAAP High School Baseball Tournament comes back bigger this year with the inclusion of guest team PAREF-Southridge School.

The Admirals’ entry turns the competition into a five-team field, joining defending champion University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle Zobel, and National University Nazareth School.

The Junior Golden Sox will open their long-awaited title defense—seven years in the making— today (Wednesday) at the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, facing the Junior Green Batters in the opening game.

First pitch is set at 8 a.m.

“We are very much eager to defend the title. Kami ang kauna-unahang UAAP champion at kahuli-hulihang champion kaya we want to be the champion again sa pagbabalik ng UAAP high school baseball,” said UST head coach and local legend Jeff Santiago.

In Season 82, the Junior Golden Sox, then bannered by John Regalado and Justine Rosales—both of whom went on to make their mark at the collegiate level—defeated Ateneo, led by Season MVP Matt San Juan, in three games in the Finals.

Although the high school tournament has been held since Season 74 (2011), it only became a regular sport in Season 80 (2017). UST ruled the diamond in that inaugural run.

Southridge will make its tournament debut at 11 a.m. against Ateneo.

Admirals head coach Bocc Bernardo, who previously handled Ateneo’s collegiate team, where he remains as an assistant to Blue Eagles head coach Pepe Jose, is determined to make the most of the opportunity now that his high school squad has a platform to showcase its talent.

“Actually, it’s something that all high school players are looking forward to. Yung mga pending na naghihintay sa college kasi walang paglalaruan, ngayon nakabalik na. Everyone has been looking forward to this. It’s going to be a very competitive tournament. Very happy ako na nagawan ng paraan and happy ako nakasama yung Southridge,” shared Bernardo.

Southridge will lean on ace pitcher Joaquin Salvador, supported by a pitching staff that includes JC Basañes and Amiel Belga, along with slugger Matt Gelota.

Ateneo, meanwhile, will be led by Grade 12 ace pitcher Lorenzo de Guzman, catcher Nicolas Sevilla, infielder Santiago Afuang, and former Xavier School standout Tres Saguisag.

This marks the third UAAP event Southridge has joined, following high school boys’ football in Season 87, where they reached the Final Four, and high school boys’ swimming in Season 88.

“Well, we all know that our baseball team can compete. Marami sa alumnus ng Southridge is nakukuha sa college like Ateneo. I think, this year we will aim for the top two and work from there,” said the confident Bernardo, a former champion catcher for Ateneo.

National University Nazareth School will begin its campaign on Saturday at 8 a.m. against UST.

Games will be played every Wednesday and Saturday.