THE 2007 NCAA ISSUE ncaa history NCAA Basketball Champion NCAA: An 1924 University of the Philippines 1925 University of the Philippines 1926 University of the Philippines 1927 San Beda College 1928 Ateneo de Manila University 1929 University of the Philippines Endless Saga 1930 University of Santo Tomas 1931 Ateneo de Manila University 1932 Ateneo de Manila University THE NCAA WAS founded in 1924 under the 1933 Ateneo de Manila University leadership of the late Dr. Regino R. Ylanan, then 1934 San Beda College 1935 San Beda College the Physical Director of the University of the Phil- 1936 San Beda College ippines (UP) Diliman. The founding members include 1937 Ateneo de Manila University 1938 Colegio de San Juan de Letran the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), University of Manila 1939 De La Salle University (UM), National University (NU), De La Salle College 1940 San Beda College 1941 Ateneo de Manila University (DLSU), Ateneo de Manila College (ADMU), San Beda Col- 1942 N. A. lege, and UP. 1943 N. A. 1944 N. A. Though from humble begin- After the smoke cleared, the and the inclusion of Mapua, San 1945 N. A. 1946 N. A. nings, the goals of the fledgling league reopened its doors in Sebastian, University of Per- 1947 De La Salle University league was to unify athletes and post-war 1947.However, while petual Help – Rizal, and lately 1948 De La Salle University 1949 Mapua Institute of Technology serve as a launching pad for the Japanese have left and the the College of St. Benilde and 1950 Colegio de San Juan de Letran excellence in athleticism that Philippines was free yet again, the Philippine Christian Univer- 1951 San Beda College could eventually earn berths in the NCAA struggled with an- sity, the league emerged out of 1952 San Beda College th 1953 Ateneo de Manila University the Olympics. other new enemy – inter-school the 20 century stronger and 1954 Ateneo de Manila University The league flourished in the hooliganism. better than ever. 1955 San Beda College pre-World War II era and even Intense rivalries turned into Today, the league has eight 1956 De La Salle University 1957 Ateneo de Manila University with the abdication of UP, NU violent fistfights, while high- member-schools competing 1958 Ateneo de Manila University and UST to their own league, decibel boos and hisses turned fiercely in athletics while help- 1959 San Beda College 1960 Colegio de San Juan de Letran sports athleticism and inter- into halftime bombardment of ing each other in the develop- 1961 Ateneo de Manila University school competition was still at litter and trash. Worse, skir- ment of the league. A total of 16 1962 Suspended its peak. The three aforemen- mishes in parking lots of game schools have been part of the 82 1963 Jose Rizal University 1964 Jose Rizal University tioned teams eventually estab- venues became a regular affair year old NCAA, namely San 1965 Mapua Institute of Technology lished the University Athletics and inter-school vandalism Beda, Ateneo, La Salle, UP, UST, 1966 Colegio de San Juan de Letran 1967 Jose Rizal University Association of the Philippines suddenly emerged. It was as if San Vicente de Paul, UM, NU, 1968 Jose Rizal University (UAAP) in 1938. the league was entering its twi- CSJL, Mapua, JRU, Trinity Col- 1969 Ateneo de Manila University From the start and even up light ages for in the years that lege, UPHDS, San Sebastian, 1970 Colegio de San Juan de Letran 1971 De La Salle University to now, basketball remains as follow things only got worse PCU, and CSB. 1972 Jose Rizal University the most popular sport in the until eventually in 1962, the From a simple athletics orga- 1973 San Sebastian College-Recoletos NCAA. As such it became the whole NCAA season was sus- nization in 1925, the NCAA has 1974 De La Salle University 1975 Ateneo de Manila University battlefield for supremacy pended. moved mountains and became 1976 Ateneo de Manila University among schools especially in its While glory was still to be the home of great athletes and 1977 San Beda College 1978 San Beda College early years. Such competition won in the hardcourt and prominent people of today. It 1979 Colegio de San Juan de Letran and intense passion was shown athleticism was still of prime has survived two World Wars, 1980 Suspended that eventually, rivalries were importance among the mem- outlasted a dictatorship, de- 1981 Mapua Institute of Technology 1982 Colegio de San Juan de Letran formed among the different ber-schools, the league’s sudden feated hooliganism and bore 1983 Colegio de San Juan de Letran member-schools. Then, it was turn for the worse forced some witness to all the presidents of 1984 Colegio de San Juan de Letran 1985 San Sebastian College-Recoletos Letran against De La Salle, of its members to leave the post-Commonwealth Phil- 1986 Colegio de San Juan de Letran Ateneo against San Beda and indefinetly. After a bitter loss ippine government. All in all, 1987 Colegio de San Juan de Letran lastly, Ateneo against everyone to San Beda in the 1972 NCAA the NCAA has experienced 1988 San Sebastian College-Recoletos 1989 San Sebastian College-Recoletos else. championships, Ateneo left for much but has still to experience 1990 Mapua Institute of Technology These sporting years gave the UAAP. Three years later, La more. Generation by genera- 1991 Mapua Institute of Technology birth to the likes of the Chito Salle exited the NCAA after a tion, the NCAA will always be 1992 Colegio de San Juan de Letran 1993 San Sebastian College-Recoletos Loyzaga and Frankie Rabat, ri- violence-marred championship remembered as the pioneer in 1994 San Sebastian College-Recoletos vals in the NCAA hardcourt but series against Letran. Even San collegiate athleticism, as one of 1995 San Sebastian College-Recoletos 1996 San Sebastian College-Recoletos teammates in the only Philip- Beda took a leave of absence in the premier basketball organi- 1997 San Sebastian College-Recoletos pine team to ever reach the top ____. zations in the country, the home 1998 Colegio de San Juan de Letran three of the Olympics. The dark ages of the NCAA of heroes, the league of the 1999 Colegio de San Juan de Letran 2000 College of Saint Benilde The advent of World War II may have tainted the glorious brave. 2001 San Sebastian College-Recoletos forced the league to postpone past but the league eventually 2002 San Sebastian College-Recoletos SSOURCE:OURCE: 2003 Colegio de San Juan de Letran its 17-year existence with a five- rebounded years later. With the 2004 Philippine Christian University year break from 1942 to 1946. re-entry of San Beda in _____ The Bedan, vol.63 2005 Colegio de San Juan de Letran 2006 San Beda College 2 NCAA 2007 Issue opinion

IT IS ALL ABOUT SPORTS. Nothing more, noth- ing less. This NCAA season think of nothing but sports. It is the aim, it is the priority, it is the purpose. Just like the years before and the years that would follow, it is all about sports. It is all about sports when coaches are suddenly axed in order to appease the whim of the few. Contracts are forgotten, words of honor are forsaken. The vision of a handful is given precedence over the sentiments of the many. Performance after all, is not an issue. But apparently, so are championships. It is all about sports when athletes are devoid of the glory they fought for and very much deserve. Although years are spent in building dynasties and countless hours are exhausted in perfecting their respective game, it is all about sports when these same ath- Editorial letes suffer from the great financial burden that they are suddenly faced. Compensation, scholarships and even training fees are ne- glected; but on their performance, nothing seems to suffice every- one but perfection. Yes, it is all about sports. Or to be more precise, maybe in this instance, it is all about basketball. Yes Bedans, it is all about sports; this year more than any other. While pressing issues are at our doorsteps and our basic rights as students are challenged, in the end, it is all about sports. It is all It is all about sports when the identity established by our for- bearers is suddenly and irrevocably changed without the student’s consent and approval. When our culture is left for nothing, our heritage given no importance – think only of sports. Because at least there in the football fields, in the basketball courts and at other sporting grounds, our players are wearing red. Well, at least for now. Soon enough they may force them to wear yellow. about It is all about sports when student rights are trampled and the Magna Carta completely ignored. After all, it is but a simple docu- ment ratified by the whole student population and approved by the administrators themselves to protect the student rights. In- stead, it is wiser to watch our athletes in their respective sports. Athletic competitions at least makes sense; arguing with certain sports prominent individuals regarding the validity of the Magna Carta, however, does not. It is all about sports when competence is based on affiliation rather than qualification and when principled administrators are bullied, bribed and/or coerced to go along unprincipled actions. More, let us understand that all this is but a sport even if scores of complaints are already lodged against individuals who are bla- tantly unsuitable for their jobs. Politics is a sport, and if it is played in the NCAA, year after year, we will bring home the trophy. It is all about sports even when all that is left in our once presti- gious school is its once prestigious name. The luster of our glory days is all but gone, the proud departments considered then as centers of excellence has already been discounted while the good professors that propagated academic excellence are all but gone. What remains is but a shadow of the San Beda that once was. And it is all about sports. For it is the only thing that still links the alumni to our school. In the end, even this article is also but a sport. In football this is a goal kick aimed at the opposing goal. In basketball, this is but a half court shot. Lastly, in taekwondo this editorial is a flying kick aimed at everyone, but would probably hit no one. So in this day, as we celebrate the opening of the NCAA’s 83rd season, relax dear Bedans and think of nothing but sports. Perhaps, you can even daydream that our school is great. Besides, we are the NCAA basketball champions. So go ahead, dream. After all, it is all about sports. Nothing more. Nothing less. NCAA 2007 Issue 33 basketball Destiny is Dynasty q Marc Israel Castro

TITLE-RETENTION SEEMS to be the hardest thing to do. After winning the 82nd NCAA basketball crown with then Red Lions chief mentor Koy Banal as their tactician, the San Beda Red Lions now face a tougher task - to retain the crown and to start building their own dynasty without the man who made them a champion team. Banal, the champion coach who turned the Red Lions from one of the worst teams in the 81st NCAA season into champions the following year, was removed from his post abruptly after school administrators and the alumni cited “commitment reasons” point- ing out Banal’s other coaching responsibilities in the Philippine Basketball League and the Philippine Basketball Association. After an extensive search for a new mentor that followed, Frankie Lim, a man known as the general manager of Talk n’ Text, was chosen to lead the Red Lions this year and to forge forward into building a Bedan dynasty. Lim took over and guided the Red Lions during the off-season tournaments such as the Fr. Martin’s Cup (FMC) and the FilOil Flying V Preseason Invitational Cup where they placed 1st runner up against tournament favorite and champion the De La Salle Green Archers.

Pre-season previews During the off-season, the Red Lions participated in different tournaments such as the FMC and the FilOil Flying V Preseason tournament where they both had respectable finishes. The Mendiola-based cagers faced the Green Archers during the championship match in the FilOil cup with veteran La Sallite trio of TY Tang, JV Casio, and Rico Maierhofer leading the attack of the Taft-based stalwarts against the stingy defense of man-mountain Sam Ekwe and King Red Lion Yousif Aljamal. After three quarters of thrilling competition between the Red Lions and the Green Archers, the defensive wall of the Red Lions suddenly collapsed in the fourth canto enabling De La Salle to squeak past with a win.

4 NCAA 2007 Issue basketball

In conjunction with the FilOil cup, the slasher Rogemar team also spent part of their summer under Menor, Bambam intense training at the Joe Abunassar – Im- Gamalinda, and Jay-R pact Basketball training center at Los Ange- Taganas will have to step up les, California, USA. and push their respective The Red Lions went under intense condi- games a notch higher to pro- tioning and skills development including vide multiple scoring threats dribbling and passing of the guards as well against every opponent. as defense of the centers and the forwards With mainstays Kristoffer under the tutelage of the basketball experts Taupa, Borgie Hermida, sharp of the said training center. shooting JR Tecson, and injury- The results were apparent, as Lim him- free Chico Tirona at the aid of self was quoted in saying, days after the the San Beda five, the coaches will h a v e training, the Red Lions routed the PCU Dol- an expansive array of basketball explosives phins with impressive form, showcasing a at their disposal. stronger and faster Red Lions than the one In addition to the aforementioned, rook- that notched the championship last year. ies Garvo Lanete, Alvin Padilla and Anto- “They tried very hard to put the pressure nio Jose Caram will be manning in them. They did a very good job. Their the backcourt, while prized re- shooting percentage went up. Malaki ang cruit, former King Red Cub pinagbago nila,” Lim said. Dave Marcelo, will add fire- As for the loss to De La Salle in the cham- power and rebounding prow- pionships, Lim noted that this was another ess as well as an alternate with learning experience for the Red Lions as he other big men inside the paint. noted the exceptional plays of the team in- stead of delving on the shortcomings. Against the odds “A lot of things we learned [in the game Last year, the against La Salle]. Number one, composure. Mendiola-based cagers La Salle is not a weak team, but we did a almost swept the elimina- tions with good job on our game… We lost, but we a 13 – 1 slate last season with their lone stay together [through out because] this is loss from the PCU dribblers the Bedan way,” Lim said. who also became their ri- val contender in the Lions among thrilling championship men series. With the de- The Dolphins, however, parture of team will not be seeing action this S

S captain Ange- year as they are serving a one year suspen- les and big man sion because of fielding ineligible players Martin Anto- in the high school division. nio, veterans But while the Dolphins slumber, other N

N Aljamal and NCAA schools are all ready to battle it out Raymund against the Red Lions. Already in the front Maggay will running among basketball aficionados are now have to the resurging Jose Rizal University Heavy Red Lions’ Lineup

O shoulder the Bombers who posted impressive pre-sea- O Raymond Maggay leadership re- son campaigns. Riego Gamalinda I sponsibilities Also, the Mapua Cardinals may soon I Chico Tirona for the team to- prove to be the best team in Intramuros JR Tecson gether with last this year as they retained the services of Yousif Aljamal L

L season’s almost all their players. The Letran Dave Marcelo, Rookie of the Knights, with the departure of veteran Antonio Jose Caram Year and Most cager Boyet Bautista, will field a depleted Alvin Padilla Valuable but brave lineup while the San Sebastian Sam Ekwe Player awardee Stags are keeping mum with their own stal- Jay-R Taganas

D Samuel Ekwe warts.

D Rogemar Menor and the sweet- Truly, this coming NCAA season would Borgie Hermida shooting, be a tougher one for the Red Lions. But come Garvo Lanete baby-faced as- what may, the Red Lions are ready to battle E

E Pong Escobal sassin, Pong it out in that stage where all that matters is Kristoffer Taupa Escobal. the time, the score, and the heart of the cham- Also, ace pion – the hard court. Head Coach

R Frankie Lim R NCAA 2007 Issue 5 basketball The Legacy of 82: TTheThehe ChampionshipChampionshipChampionship BlueprintBlueprintBlueprint q Carlo Benedict Sison THE CHEERS WERE deafening, the lights were blinding. lieving silence. He shoots. Eternity passes The sea of red that filled the Big Dome collapsed in a joyful frenzy as as the ball slowly made its way to rim. the long dreamt of championship was finally fulfilled. People were cry- It falls short, and the rest, as they say, was history. ing with joy, strangers were hugging each other, couples kissed while at The momentous experience of finally the hardcourt, the jubilant and newly-crowned champions were all revel- winning the basketball championship after ing at their glory. Barely a few seconds ago, this scene of jubilant celebra- 28 long years is priceless. But this cannot be tion was but a din of silence. done without the efforts of the many indi- At the start of the fourth quarter, the breath on how things would transpire. PCU viduals who helped in realizing the vision undaunted PCU Dolphins mounted a des- inbounds the ball; Jason Castro fakes a slash of ending the title drought: the dedicated perate surge that soon caught the Mendiola misleading the Bedan defense and before men and women of San Beda. cagers cold on their feet. From 12 points, passing to a wide open Beau Belga. Three Lost Glory the lead was suddenly diminished to one. seconds left and the ball It all started when the Red Lions reached With the win on the line, Pong Escobal found its way to the Final Four picture in 2005 after seven inbounded the ball to Sam Ekwe. The ball one PCU’s of- years of languishing at the bottom. Led by sailed way off Ekwe’s hands. fensive arms. then team captain Jeff Bombeo and seasoned Sixteen seconds left to go and the ball He jumps. veteran Arjun Cordero, the Red Lions was back at the hands of the enemy. Every- wound their way through the regular sea- The hope of winning the champi- one son to enter the Final Four with a 7-7 win- onship was hanging on the line. stood loss card. They defeated the Mapua Cardi- Hearts pounding, the crowd still in nals in a do-or-die match to face the UPHDS was at their feet waiting with unbe- Altas in the semifinals. As the Final Four bated match ensues, the San Beda-UPHDS series tied at one apiece to force a deciding game three to reach the finals. Sadly, the Red Li- ons lost by two points,

6 NCAA 2007 Issue basketball diminishing the hopes of Bedans of enter- San Beda College Alumni Association ing the finals. vice president Albert Almendralejo Season 81 came and with it, the departure welcomed the suggestion of the of almost all of San Beda’s starting five. booster club and adopted it as a Even with the help coming from the alumni priority project of the Associa- and support from the studentry, the Red tion. Lions only managed to win five games in “It was then I realized the regular season. The morale was at an that the Alumni Asso- all-time low, but championship drive was ciation could very all the more intensified. well be the um- As the flame of the championship dream brella organi- spread, the fire was pushed further ablaze zation to- when a former Red Lion, coach Enrico ‘Koy’ wards the Banal, took the helm as the new Red Lions’ achieve- head coach, giving a new hope for the Red ment of people. the goal The Red Dawn begins of re- All in all, the quest for the championship claim- began when San Beda then extended its in- ing the fluence to boost the erring Red Lions of champi- building a stronger lineup. Through the onship alumni and scouts all over the country, the crown in Red Lions managed to enlist the services of the a sweet-shooting guard from the south, NCAA,” he Pong Escobal and the imposing stature of a said. 6’8 Nigerian Sam Ekwe. Also, the maturity They did and development of Yousif Aljamal, former so by whole- high school superstar Ogie Menor and the heartedly leadership of veteran Alex Angeles, paved supporting the Red Lions “Everybody would re- through fundraising member the moment events, team build- where the ball bounced ing sessions and do- nation of training off the rim and the crowd equipment through the effort of many concerned was already sprinting to- alumni of San Beda including wards the court even Atty. Art Tugade, Mike Advani and most notably, business tycoon with still a second left.” Manny V. Pangilinan. Meanwhile, last year’s SBCA chief the way to the development of the Red Li- cheerleader EJ Mangahas, in charge ons’ offensive and defensive abilities. With of uplifting the spirits of the crowd a fiery coach, a feisty starting lineup and a during the games, thanks the respon- committed and supportive alumni and siveness of the community in help- Bedan community, the Red Lions formu- ing advocate the winning drive of lated a motto that would eventually lead the team. championship. In a way, every single one them to the Promised Land: “End 28 at 82.” “We got a lot of help from the alumni. It who had showed support owns a bit of the With the help of the alumni, the Mendiola seemed that they were the catalyst that glory of ending the 28-year title drought. stalwarts worked and trained harder to brought every aspect together. It also helped Everybody would remember the moment eliminate the competition in the off-season. that the community and the administration where the ball bounced off the rim and the Suffering only a loss from their future fi- were responsive to the initiatives of the crowd was already sprinting towards the nals contender, the PCU Dolphins, the hun- alumni,” he said court even with still a second left. Every- gry Red Lions diminished the competition In addition, the Student Council then also body would remember how we tearfully as they led all the teams in the went along with the hype by involving the sang the Bedan hymn with much pride and standings. Bedan community through providing fly- honor in our voices. The booster club, a group of die-hard ers, posters, balloons and other parapher- When one wants something, he does ev- alumni, put togetherthe three pillars of nalia not just to show support for the team erything he can to achieve it. Everyone owns achieving the championship crown: build a but to unite the entire studentry as well. a bit of history. Everyone helped in realiz- championship team; improve the SBCA and All for one, one for all ing the vision. With ONE SAN BEDA, we the band; and involve the Bedan commu- Ultimately, the entire Bedan community’s ended 28 at 82. nity. support was the main factor in winning the (with Danna Katrina Lim) NCAA 2007 Issue 7 IIt’sIt’st’s aaa ggirlgirlirl tthing!thing!hing! q Marjerie Ann Ramos OVE OVER Barbie, because these girls need no Ken. Rising against the challenges Right on, girlfriend! Mof the paternal structure of San Recognizing the presence and Beda, Bedan females from all potential of female Bedans in courses and levels are slowly the field of sports, the first fe- but surely taking up the chal- male athletes of San Beda was lenge of athletics and are soon formed in order to provide a enough, bringing glory to our respite for female Bedans who alma mater. are attuned to sports. The Lady It has been four years since Booters was the first women’s San Beda opened its doors to team to be formed in San Beda welcome female Bedans, count- followed by the recruitment of ing them in as part of the lion’s female taekwondo jins for the den. As the Bedan community Red Jins and this year, San Beda continues to grow, a cycle fol- formed its own women’s vol- lows as women begin to emerge leyball team, the Lady Spikers. not only in the aspect of leader- These female Bedan athletes ship and academics, but in the are practically your typical girl- field of sports as well. next-doors – only much fiercer Armed with the ferocity of a and more competitive than oth- true lioness and the cunning of ers. Unflinching in their train- the female species, these girls ing and fully dedicated in their are kicking, smashing and even respective fields, they are will- thrashing balls to the next ing to train under the burning level. sun in the name of pride and honor in order to bring glory to ile and more delicate, believed the Red Jins who helped their the school. Bedan female ath- to be incapable of most things team claim the taekwondo letes are extraordinary ladies, which men can do. However, in championships in the aiming to prove themselves the field of sports, Bedan female 81st NCAA season. against stereotypes who ques- athletes train as hard and sweat Right now, the tion their capabilities. “Usually as much as their male counter- volleybelles of kapag babae kasi dapat feminine parts. There are no consider- the Red kumilos, kaya nagugulat sila kapag ations, even on menstrual Spikers taekwondo player tapos babae. cycles. “Pareho lang ‘yung train- are Dahil babae ka, hindi nila ini-expect ing. Pantay lang dapat ‘yung sa IIt’sIt’st’s aaa na kaya mong gawin ‘yun,” says lalake at sa babae,” explains Red Lou Ann Velasquez, a gold Booters assistant coach and Lady medalist during the last NCAA Booters’ trainer John Servita. taekwondo competition. Further, Velasquez admitted Regina Pajao, one of the pio- that there are moments she has neering volleybelles of the Red to endure as a female athlete, Spikers, share the same senti- “Physically speaking mas weak ments on being a female athlete, ‘yung babae sa lalake. Pero sa “Sometimes it is sad kasi ‘yung taekwondo kasama talaga ‘yung gear- ggirlgirlirl support ng mga tao dito sa San ganung masasaktan ka,” she said. ing them- Beda hindi pantay-pantay,” she Nevertheless, she also selves up for their said. pointed that the innate dexter- debut perfor- Nonetheless, she prefers to ity and quickness of female ath- mance – an take it as a challenge and not as letes also help out in sports. Add event that an obstacle for her skills to be to this, Velazquez pointed out many are recognized by the whole Bedan that being a second dan waiting community. “You don’t have to blackbelter provides an inter- for. be discouraged if you really esting benefit to her lifestyle. Other tthing!thing!hing! have the passion for playing. I “Matututo ka na ng self-defense, than believe women can also achieve matututo ka pang maging tough, that, those things usually accom- magiging physically fit ka pa!” she Bedan plished by men,” she continued. gaily said. female athletes also You go girl! I’m every woman suffer the same fate as Compared to men, women While training is at par with other less promi- are generally looked upon as male athletes, female Bedan nent athletic weak individuals. They are frag- athletes still have enormous teams. They do work ahead of them. More not receive than winning glory for the any compen- school, they are battling sation out- for recognition and sup- side their ex- port among the studentry emptions – something that even from their PE other male sporting and NSTP classes. “Wala din teams have failed to kaming scholarships. Siguro it’s support. “It’s achieve. just the passion for the game scary, but it’s a privilege…The The Bedan which makes us stay,” says whole team is challenged dahil female ath- Rachel Roxas of the Lady ayaw naming mapahiya. Sana letes are Booters. masuportahan kami ng Bedan all pio- But with these setbacks, this community,” Pajao said. neers early on the female stalwarts of They have what it takes, will- and as such, San Beda has already proved ing to risk it all in the name of they are tasked to themselves. Regardless of com- the victory. “I’m proud to repre- build the name of pensation and monetary sup- sent the school kasi out of so many their respective port, these female athletes are women out there isa ko sa mga teams. The Lady fighting for pride and recogni- nabigyan ng opportunity to rep- Booters for a time lan- tion. resent San Beda,” Velasquez says. guished in medioc- Angel-looking dolls, Fight- When asked why she has this rity before coming ing lion babes kind of passion for playing, “It back and winning They are Bedan ladies carry- runs in the blood,” she answered. their first champi- ing the name of San Beda Col- They do not just play dolls, onship in 2006. lege. They have the passion and they rock the game. They amuse Faring better the strength. They are thirsty boys, but in the field, they kick are the fe- for glory. And this coming balls. They are Bedan female male ath- NCAA season, they could only athletes, more than your girl- letes of ask for no more than all-out next-door. cheering A A C C B B S S The Red Army THE BOOSTERS. The die hard supporters. The sixth man. Presenting our very own, the San Beda Cheerleading Association (SBCA). In preparation for the 83rd NCAA season, the SBCA this year marches on busied themselves training new members and orienting them with the new policies in order to instill in them the aim and purpose of the organization. Leading the cheering pack in this coming season is chief cheer- leader John Eric Prado together with female chief Michelle de Leon and Indian chief Emer Ramada. This year, the squad aims to add more members to their family of 21 and with the loss of some of the squad’s nursing cheerleaders, Prado was quoted saying, “there are a lot of other member of the Pep Squad who can take the place of the ones who will be missing the games.” The Bedan community can expect louder beats from the drums and fiercer voices to fill the stands as Raul Roque, one of the big- gest supporters of San Beda, take the helm as the newly appointed moderator of SBCA. In addition, the drumrolls and high spirits of the cheerleaders will not be limited to the Red Lions alone as Prado related to The Bedan that the Pep Squad will be cheering for other sporting events as well. As parting words to the Bedan community, Prado left The Bedan not with a promise, but a commitment in these words, “to my fellow Bedans, prepare to love your alma mater because it will bring you more than the pride and maybe more than glory.” “With cheers and songs we’ll rally round the canon song of yore, and the Abbey walls will echo with San Beda’s mighty roar,” he ended, taking a line from a song entitled the Cannon Song. (Athena Charmaine Santos) SBCA officers Chief Cheerleader John Eric Prado Female Chief Michelle de Leon Indian Chief Emer Ramada. Moderator Raul Roque 14 NCAA 2007 Issue football BBreakawayBreakawayreakaway ppeatpeateat q Miguel Ebarvia III

KICKING WILL BE harder this time around. True enough, there is nowhere to go but up Red Booters’ Lineup for the Red Booters to stretch their champi- Michael Casas Nayeem Tahil onship streak to seven this upcoming 83rd Jerome Orcullo James Dimaculangan NCAA season which will be a first in Philip- Nicholas Leonora Jerry Avarilla Nixon Leonora Reynaldo Corton

S pine collegiate football history. S Banking on the maturity and expertise of Jemson Ayuban Ardillo Guarin Tonton Abiera Mark Angeloe Cortez the team’s remaining veteran players, assis- Roxie Dorlas Kevin Sendino tant coach John Servita said the team would Elizer Fabruada Francis Sumodevila

R be able to pull through to the season.

R Aaron Altiche Jay Liones Veterans Michael Casas, James Joseph Rojo Aaron Flores Dimaculangan, Tonton Abiera, Nayeem Dave Villon Acener Ranay Tahil, and Joseph Rojo are again expected to E

E Head Coach showcase their prowess in the football arena to sail the team to the finals. Aris Caslib Servita also proudly paraded the promis- T

T ing talents of five newly-acquired football re- cruits in the champion team’s roster hailing from different provinces of the country. “Mabilis mag-step up ang mga lumang play- O

O ers. Malalakas sila. [Dahil dito,] nahahatak ‘yung mga bagong [recruits to perform well in the team practices],” said Servita who courteously granted the interview in behalf of head coach O

O Aris Caslib since the latter is training the Un- der 23 national team at South Korea as of press time. Asked about the current preparations of the B

B Red Booters, Servita revealed that the

Mendiola squad is training side-by-side with the Under 23 national team since Caslib is also the head coach of the latter. As for the weakness, Servita admitted that the team needs to work on their defense. D D “Compact pa rin ang team. [Kaso ‘yung] line of defense alanganin ng konti,” he said. Now that the PCU football squad has been E E slapped with a one-year suspension, Servita opined that the CSB squad is their main threat followed by participating members Mapúa and the UPHDS. R R NCAA 2007 Issue 15 volleyball S S R R E E K K I I Spiking P P against all S S

odds q Timothy Fino

D ONE step at a time. D In spite of having a young lineup, the Red Spikers are still looking forward to this new season with renewed confidence as they prepare themselves for the NCAA volleyball court hoping for a much

E better performance than last year. E Coach Christian John Cuevas, tentative head coach of the Red Spikers, said that the Mendiola-based stalwarts have joined leagues such as the Toribio Cup to give their players game exposure and to prepare for the coming NCAA wars.

R The Toribio Cup is a pre-seasonal collegiate league joined by different colleges and universities R such as San Beda, FEU, Lyceum, Letran and San Sebastian. “We joined the Toribio Cup volleyball league to give our players experience and enough game exposure, nakapasok din kami sa final four [but failed to enter the finals],” Cuevas said. The tourney gave the Red Spikers much needed experience but they fell short against FEU in the final four and the Lyceum of Manila in the battle for third as two of their key players were Red Spikers’ injured before the semifinals. Despite the lack of tall players and the loss of their seniors, Lineup Cuevas still believes that the current Red Spikers squad has the capability to improve compared to last year performance. Christian Allan Aguila “Mas better ‘yung performance nila ngayon. Talagang nag-improve Christopher Neil Cuevas ang mga players..[madadala natin ang improvement na ‘to sa NCAA],” Aaron Cezar Marquez Cuevas confirmed. Billy Edzel Satumba However, Cuevas said that they do not want to jump into any Micheas Victor Macatangay Von Cyriel Mabazza conclusions regarding their Final Four standing in the NCAA Sylvester Gil Honrade stating instead that they will take it one step at a time. Theodore Christian Samala “Tignan na lang ang magagawa. Pilitin lahat ng magagawa one step at Patrik Milan Mendoza a time,” he cited. Leonel Evan Laraya Cuevas and the Red Spikers look at Letran and San Sebastian as Head Coach: their main rivals in the volleyball court in the coming NCAA season. Christian John Cuevas

16 NCAA 2007 Issue swimming S S N N O O I I L L

Sea Lions’

Dive to A Lineup A Ferdinand Frigillana. Amado Miguel Diaz E Richard Sarino E Jose Miguel Marty Rocky Gappi dynasty

Miguel Francisco Barcial q Eunice Carmela Ariate S Jose Luis Cataluña S Bernard Mark Bueta NEVER SAY drown. Varon Pagsisihan After grasping their fifth glorious NCAA title, the invincible Sea Lions are now gearing up their John Micah Bueta champion strokes to snatch another championship plum this upcoming NCAA season. Romulo Cabal Even though victory has always been associated with the team’s name, the Sea Lions remains John Vinmar Aniñon modest and are still preparing intensely for their all-time tank rivals, PCU and CSB. Nico Viña The Sea Lions prepares vigorously by training morning-afternoons and joining off-season compe- Geneson Mendoza titions that led them to conquer their first international competition - the Hong Kong-Mantas Invita- Aldrian Reyes tional Swim in which they ranked third out of 17 countries and harvested three gold, ten silver, and Rommel Clarin eight bronze medals. Teohdy Gaviño Head coach Gavino Roxas said that this year’s Sea Lions are better than before as nobody left the Macgyver Reyes team and welcomed three new tankers, namely Jerwin Paragastos Edson King Dinglasan and John Paul Bautista from University of the East high school and Head Coach Ergel Arcinas from General Santos City. “Walang umalis or natanggal sa line-up ngayon. Intact pa din ang Dondon Roxas team at may mga bago pa. We are aiming to get our sixth title,” Roxas said. More, Roxas also revealed that the team is not only preparing for the NCAA but are also prim- ing for the Southeast Asian games’ National team tryouts and the Taipei invitational. Completing the roster of tankers are Richard Sarino, Jose Miguel Marty, Rocky Gappi, Miguel Francisco Barcial, Jose Luis Cataluña, Bernard Mark Bueta, Varon Pagsisihan, John Micah Bueta, Amado Miguel Diaz, Romulo Cabal, John Vinmar Aniñon, Nico Viña. Geneson Mendoza, Aldrian Reyes, Rommel Clarin, Teohdy Gaviño, Macgyver Reyes, Edson King Dinglasan and 82nd season swim- ming tournament MVP Ferdinand Frigillana. Undeniably, with all the team’s effort to train eagerly and to win every competition, this Sea Lions are raging their way in notching another championship. NCAA 2007 Issue 17 table tennis

Red Paddlers’ S Lineup S John Benedict Cruz Gylur Villar R

Nikki Jay Jaspe R Mark Jester Tariga Joe Louie Ramos E

Gerald Marin E Head Coach q Jacqueline Anne Chua L

Kurt de Guzman L D D D Signed, D A A P

Sealed, P

D Delivered D THEY SIGNED THE contract, they sealed the deal and though they have yet to E

deliver, they are more than ready to fly their way to victory. E After finishing fourth in the 82nd NCAA season, the Red Paddlers are now eager to compete and bring home the championship plum. The squad aims to take home this year’s NCAA championship crown by R

intensifying their daily training routine wherein they will begin working R on their physical condition and table skills while giving their 101% during the upcoming games. Also, Red Paddlers’ head coach Kurt de Guzman will be exposing his players to several tournaments including the annual Rector’s cup of University of Sto. Tomas, Ateneo Cup, and the Unigames to further enhance their ability. This season’s lineup includes veterans John Benedict Cruz and Gylur Villar for singles while Nikki Jay Jaspe and Mark Jester Tariga will continue to compete for the doubles division together with freshmen players Joe Louie Ramos and Gerald Marin. Although having a powerful set of play- ers, de Guzman still considers all of their op- ponents to be strong and fully prepared for the upcoming season. “Sa tingin ko, lahat ng kalaban namin malakas dahil lahat ng team balanse [at fully prepared],” he said. Despite having tough competitors, the team still believes that with prayer and thorough practice they have a big chance of winning the championship. “I always tell my players that if they want to win there are many ways. Kompyansa at alisto ang importante sa laro,” de Guzman ended. 18 NCAA 2007 Issue taekwando

IN THIS TOURNEY Red Jins’ Lineup of points, silvers kick harder than gold. Loreto Velasquez This holds true for the Red S

Jose Emmanuel Enriquez Jins as they failed to grab last S Dexter Cabradilla season’s NCAA champion- Gilbert Velo ship plum, falling short by just Julius Cingco two points and yet the same Butch de Vera N fate is upon them again this N John Ekid coming season due to a lack

Patrick Niño Ferrer I of good players to battle the I Kenneth Koda odds. Sirus Bongalos

With zero recruits and a J Aris Sagoso lack in financial assistance, J

Red Jins head coach Noel Head Coach Veneracion expressed his sen- Noel Veneracion timents about the lack of sup- port for his team which poses D

a huge hindrance to their path D towards the prime spot. “I only have seven na magagaling na players na black- E

belters. Nauubusan ako ng players kasi limited ang bud- E get ko kaya wala akong power mag-recruit ng players. With this format [point system], no way akong mananalo [sa championship] kapag wala akong twelve solid play- R

ers,” Veneracion stressed. R In addition, Veneracion explained that the NCAA will be utilizing the same point system it used last season with the team garnering the highest over- all points to be hailed as the champions, dimin- ishing the importance of individual medals. “Nawawalan na ng bearing ang mga medals. Mas mabigat na ngayon ang dalawang silver [medals] kaysa sa isang gold [medal]. Kaya mahirap talaga mag-champion lalo na at kulang ako sa magagaling na players,” Veneracion expounded. Amid the rock-bottom challenges and lim- ited resources, the Red Jins still boast an array of hard-hitting blows and groundbreaking kicks through key ath- letes such as current team captain Loreto Velasquez, two-time former national team member and last year’s team captain Jose Emmanuel Enriquez, Dexter Cabradilla, Gilbert Velo, Julius Cingco, Butch de Vera, and John Ekid. Finally, Veneracion sets his eyes at reigning titleholder CSB as the top team to beat, but also senses Letran as another major threat due to their intensive recruitment program. q Ramon King III So much for gold NCAA 2007 Issue 19 track and field S S R Gasping R E E T T S for air S q Ralph Rudolf Adelino TIRED BUT STILL on the run.

Despite the valiant efforts ex- K K erted, the San Beda Red Tracksters was not able to bring Red home the crown as they landed Tracksters’ on the eighth spot last season. C This time around though, C they hope to finish better. Lineup Assistant coach Mario Kaje Pablo Fadera

Josephh Pabiton A

Borromeo admits that the team A will still have a hard time bring- Timothy Veron ing home the crown this year as Micheal Robert Lavado they still have problems with John Carlo Olaso Jason Oliva R

the development of the players. R Benju Reynald Pausanos He also added that they are Christopher Frederick Del Castillo having trouble recruiting play- Martin Andrew Baldos

ers because the school could not Rogelio Siccion T T provide full scholarships to the Paul Gromlieng

other players. Juan Miguel Tapia “Undermanned kami ngayon Charles Adrian Arriola kasi halos lahat ng players dine- Dhelmar Moreno develop pa lang unlike ‘yung Head Coach D

ibang school, recruit at scholar D Churva lou lahat”, coach Borromeo said. Despite these problems, the E

team is still gearing up for the E upcoming NCAA wars as they conduct several training ses- sions inside and outside the R

school. R “Uma-attend kami ng mga mara- thons para sa endurance tapos nagte-training din kami sa PICC at Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Sa field kasi bawal mag-throws at jumps, puro runs lang ang puwede”, coach Borromeo men- tioned. Expected to step up for the team are veterans, Christopher Frederick Del Castillo, Rogelio Siccion and Dhelmar Moreno.

20 NCAA 2007 Issue lawn tennis

Smash to S S

q Marjerie Ann Ramos

R the top R BEING SECOND BEST is not an option. After reaching a bridesmaid finish last NCAA season, the Red Netters is all geared up and now ready to conquer the tennis courts with a better and stronger team. E

E Red Netters head coach Jovy Mamawal said that he has better expectations this year after successfully recruit- ing a new set of tennis racketeers, setting his goals on nothing less than bringing home the championship trophy.

T “Kung last year kulang tayo sa manpower, ngayon naman sobra pa. The last time na nagkaroon ako ng ganitong T complete team, ‘yun ang huling championship natin sa tennis,” Mamawal said. The Red Netters’ lineup includes experienced players topped by team captain Nic Fernandez, veterans Gerber Mamawal and Jopy Mamawal, and Duma Boloto who is now eligible to participate in T T the NCAA after his one-year residency. Further boosting the Red Netters’ prowess are new recruits consisting of Arthur Taffalia E E from Doha, Qatar; Gerome Patrombom Red Netters’ from Iligan, Lanao del Norte; Patrick Arevalo from Batac, Ilocos Norte; Lineup Kevin Flores from Mamburao, N Nic Fernandez N Mindoro; and Jaime Mamawal, Gerber Mamawal

brother of Red Netters’ head coach. Jopy Mamawal Although the Red Netters are Duma Boloto jam-packed with remarkable players Arthur Taffalia this year, only four will be qualified to Gerome Patrombom D take part in the NCAA, encouraging each D Patrick Arevalo one of them to work on their best Kevin Flores smashes to claim one of the four spots. Jaime Mamawal E “Basically, they have six months to E prove themselves para mailagay sila sa Head Coach lineup. They would have to fight for their Jovy Mamawal spots,” Mamawal explained. R R NCAA 2007 Issue 21 chess BBackack S S wwithith aa R R E E vvengeanceengeance q Miguel Ebarvia III H H S S

SHARP MINDS, big hopes. Now that the PCU team was banned from joining this U U year’s tournament, Red Woodpushers’ head coach Harold Mariano has every reason to be jubilant. Mariano confidently assures that the Woodpushers’ standing would dramatically improve from last season P P sixth place finish through the abilities and strategies that his team will display on the chessboard once the tourna- ment is opened. The team will also be ready to outsmart their oppo- D D nents with veterans Glenn Mendoza, Joey Angelo Mendoza, Jomar Cawili, Carim Panumpang and Emmanuel Caparas all geared up to rally the Mendiola- based squad to greater heights. O O New bloods that will add firepower to the team are Sherwin Sia and Joseph Navaro, both already established year residence at San Beda, together with reserve players Leo Bunag and Joy Carungay. “[Definitely], aakyat kami kasi sila (veteran O O players) pa rin ang dating players. [Wala masyadong natanggal sa lineup],” Mariano grinningly said. Red As for the practices, the team is tuning up their opening and ending moves that would Woodpushers’ nail a win for them according to Mariano. For the team to achieve such stunning Lineup W W performance this season, they have to deal Glenn Mendoza

with, what Mariano said, their greatest chal- Sherwin Sia lenge: balancing academics and the sport. Leo Bunag “Malakas [kung] sa malakas ang team. Solid Joseph Navaro ang team. [Kaso] ang kalaban nila ay academics. Joey Angelo Mendoza

D Nasa San Beda tayo eh,” Mariano grimly D Joy Carungay blurted out. Jomar Cawili The stumbling blocks, according to Carim Panumpang

E Mariano, that the team needs to pass

E Emmanuel Caparas through to be able to have a decent Head Coach finish in the season are the teams of Churva San Sebastian, Mapua, and Letran. R R 22 NCAA 2007 Issue forum

In necessariis, unitas; in opinabilibus, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.

volume LXV no.2 Emmanuel James G. Mangahas Editor in Chief Carlo Benedict B. Sison Associate Editor Ramon E. King III Managing Editor Bryan M. Balco News Editor Miguel D. Ebarvia III Features and Reviews Editor Eunice Carmela M. Ariate Cultures Editor Jameel Joshua A. Pielago Sports Editor q Editorial Board The school chanted “End 28 at 82” last season, what do you think Mia Caluttung should be this year’s yell? Business Manager “Dynasty at 83!” “PCU, where are you?” Jacqueline Anne Chua -Yangkidudel, 4IRR -Gloc_09, AMC ‘07 Office Manager Timothy Fino Circulations Manager “NO TO UNIFORM!” “Yes to uniform!” hehe.. q Managing Staff -psycho_dude -Winnie the Pooh, 4APH Patricia Rea Cadaoas Julius Charles Mariano “Unity at 83!” “Koy at 84!” Mona Katherine Felicidad San Juan -Macho man, 3ABE -non-practicing virgin stikes again q Senior Staff

Mary Anne Laurice Chavez “Chupungco at 84!” “Umpa! Umpa!” pa rin! Proofreader -Willy Bank -Virgil Ralph Rudolph Adelino Christian Villanueva Editorial Cartoonists Danna Katrina Lim What would be the Red Lion’s greatest strength this season? Jeremy Magpayo Stephen Russel Keith Valera I think their strength lies on the solid line- Syempre, kahit wala na si coach Koy, Photographers up magaling naman si coach Frankie! q Technical Staff -Student 1 -Kotsylepew Marc Israel Castro Juan Ramon Galicia New recruits like Lanete will give an ex- Syempre the fans and the cheering will Loise Laine Limos tra boost to the team be an important factor this season Jordan Carlo Mariano Bernadine Anne Catheryn Pabellan -Castro, APH ‘07 -Chief dela Vega, 3ALM Marjerie Ann Ramos q Junior Staff Sam Ekwe pa rin! I think mai-inspire sila sa mga freshmen -Ekwe’s number one fan, 3IRR na naka-dilaw. Hehehe… joke. Jose Ma. Arcadio Malbarosa -Jio Aquino q Technical Adviser About the cover

is published by the students of the College of Arts and Sciences, San Beda College

Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Newsroom 34B-1, St. Anselm’s Hall, San Beda College, E. Mendiola St., San Miguel, 1005 Manila Tel. 735-6011 to 15 loc. 4117 [email protected]

NCAA 2007 Issue 23