VOL. 1 NO.

12 JANUARY 24-31, 2013

CCP Bobcats FEU Cheering squad

Santiago, Tajima

TOWERING PRESENCE page 6

fo real

BOBCATS are
page 2

FEU

LADY
Follow INQUIRER LIBRE on Twitter @inquirer_libre

cheerleaders LEVEL UP page 3

VOLLEYBALL

SAN BEDA ROARS IN NCAA

page 7

FALCONS aim to upstage the favorites page 4

PHOTOS BY RICHARD REYES

USTs Lantin

and DLSUs Tiu VOLLEYBALL ACES page 5

PHOTOS BY ROMY HOMILLADA

JANUARY 24-31, 2013

CCP Bobcats awe opposition

By Danielle Nakpil

FTER a painful loss to the University of Cordilleras Jaguars and a botched back-toback championship in 2011, the Central Colleges of the Philippines Bobcats made a powerful comeback and reminded the opposition who own the National Cheerleading Competition.
30 seconds only. But, as one song goes, even the best fall down sometimes. Despite their reign in the league, the Bobcats also had their share of downs. What could have been a repeat in 2011 was spoiled by the UC Jaguars, and the Bobcats admitted what went wrong. Medyo naging petiks kami. Puro guestings kasi,admitted Bobcat Desiree Cruz. After ruling the 2010 NCC championship, the Bobcats started appearing on noontime shows like ABS-CBNs Happy Yippee Yehey. They also won in Showtimes Campus Clash Dance Competition. The Sta. Mesa-based squad learned their lesson and started to train early after the

The Bobcats brought home their fourth overall crown in the 2012 National Cheerleading Competition. They preyed on UAAP Cheerdance Competition bridesmaid Far Eastern University Cheering Squad, which placed second and the University of Perpetual Help System Delta Altas, which finished third. The CCP Bobcats emerged not only as champions but as record breakers in the entire NCC history, scoring an impressive 322.5 points, to finish several notches above FEU and UPHSD (310.0 and 296.0 points respectively). CCP Bobcats have been actively competing in the NCC since its inception in 2006,said head coach Arnold Villanueva on the teams dominance in the league. According to Villanueva, his squad has a lot of advantage in terms of cheerleading which led them to their fourth crown. Our main advantage over the other teams is our experience with the competition format. Unlike other teams who have been used to cheerdance, cheerleading is totally different and I can say its the Bobcats game, he added. In cheerdancing, every squad has 4-5 minutes to showcase their routine and focuses more on the dance portion. On the other hand, cheerleading focuses on the stunts and gives each team a total of 2 minutes and

loss in 2011. According to Villanueva, they trained very hard for 10 months in order to get the team welloiled, especially the rookies. Team member Cecilio Cabuenas also admitted that they were pressured to reclaim the crown. Sobrang pressured. Nung natalo kami nung 2011, nag double time kami sa training. Yung eagernes naming manalo, doble doble talaga. Gusto talaga naming mag champion nung 2012, he said. Nakatayo palang kami, gusto na naming manalo. Run-through palang, gusto na naming manalo. The 40-member squad intensified their stunts and routines for their much anticipated comeback. According to them, their winning formula is their trust in themselves, in their teammates, and in their coach.

Pinilit naming bumangon. Iba yung pakiramdam. Iba yung motivation namin, Cabuenas added. This upcoming season, however, will be a severe test since the Bobcats would be losing a lot of veterans. But according to them, they have no doubts and fears in facing future challenges. We never let our guard down. We will exert all efforts and push the team further to realize our dream of a double back-to-back crowns, a feat no other team has ever accomplished, said a vigorous Coach Arnold Villanueva. For him, they were never as ready as they are now. Lalaban at lalaban kami basta buo kami, said Cabuenas. Bobcats kami eh. All for God, CCP Bobcats.

Our main advantage over the other teams is our experience with the competition format. Unlike other teams who have been used to cheerdance, cheerleading is totally different and I can say its the Bobcats game.

TRUST
THE defending champs trust themselves.
ROMY HOMILLADA

JANUARY 24-31, 2013

FEU hates to miss this time

By Denison Rey Dalupang

AKING notes from their dismal showing from last year, where they landed behind eventual champs CCP Bobcats, FEU is again ready to aim and fire- and, for a change, not miss.
The squad, despite being pencilled as the favorites for last years NCC crown for its smoothly-executed basic elements and pyramids, was penalized with 13 pointsa deduction that played heavily in the outcome as they were deprived of a 323-point finish. The Bobcats won the event with 322.5 points. Stunts coach Francis Fulgencio, though, emphasizes the squads maturity, saying it has and will continue to be one of their strengths. In every competition, I believe each team learns a share of lesson, Fulgencio said. We try to learn from our inadequacies-in both wins and losses. But the Morayta-based squad may have to deal with another form of adversity as the injury bug and academic hurdles didnt spare themsidelining three of their key members Bryan Bumbales, Xavier Tan and Jansen Magadiong. The three are still tentative for clearance in Marchs NCC skirmish. They are at the moment listed as reserves. Meanwhile, Eryka de Roxas, who rose from the ranks as the squads captain, said that FEU will draw its brilliance through Karl Bugtai, Annievi Perez, Mae Zuiga, Giovanni Perturbos, Lester Buluran and Feradille Salcedo. Bugtai, Buluran and Perez were members of the 2009 squad that ruled the UAAP Cheerdance Competition. De Roxas notes that they are currently putting premium on technicalities and audience impact. Were trying to up our ante of our showmanship, she said.

FEU CHEERING BETS

LEARNING from their past mistakes.
I think thats where we lack sorely. According to FEUs 10-time coach Jacqueline Alolor-Alota, the squads greatest opponents are themselves. Well try to bring perfect execution, she added. Lessons
ROMY HOMILLADA

But the Morayta-based squad may have to deal with another form of adversity as the injury bug and academic hurdles didnt spare them sidelining three of their key members Bryan Bumbales, Xavier Tan and Jansen Magadiong.

learned--well be more focused and well try to finally achieve higher--all through performing with a Tamaraw heart!

JANUARY 24-31, 2013

Big Three takes charge

Composed of Ma. Paulina Pau Soriano, Sheila Bhebs Pineda and Luisa Mae Mayette Zapanta, the Big Three is well-known in the local volleyball circles as the key to the success of the Lady Falcons in the face of awesome competitions. We do our job. Winning is about teamwork. There are three other players on court. Our job is to lift our team and follow the instructions of our coach, said the 5-foot-7 Soriano, who like Pineda and Zapanta, are veterans of the Shakeys V-League. Zapanta, a Customs Administration student, is playing with gusto. After losing unwanted poundage, Zapanta, a native of Davao City, has the extra kick in her hits and defense. Pineda endears herself to the crowd with gutsy kills against taller defenders. I know my role, said the 5-foot-4 Pineda. Were up against tough rivals and we must not let our guards down. After finishing the first round of eliminations with a 4-3 card, the Big Three believes that they can still improve and show the favorites a run for their money. Weve learned from our mistakes. We are determined to do better in the next round, Soriano concluded. As a starter, the Lady Falcons got back at first round tormentors Ateneo Lady Eagles in five thrilling sets at the start of the second round. Dennis Eroa

HERES no doubt that Adamsons bid to end its title-drought in the heated UAAP volleyball wars depends on the performances of its Big Three.

(From left) Zapanta, Pineda and Soriano.

RICHARD REYES

Adamson Lady Falcons pin hopes on Soriano, Zapanta and Pineda.

FRIENDS on and off the court. (From left) Soriano, Zapanta and Pineda play ball seated with statues of Adamson founders. RICHARD REYES

JANUARY 24-31, 2013

USTs Lantin knows her role

By Randolph B. Leongson

Jeushl Wensh Tiu says DLSUs special

By Randolph B. Leongson
ITS hard to get noticed in a team overflowing with good looks and great talent. But for La Salle open hitter Jeushl Wensh Tiu, shed rather focus on the Lady Archers quest for a third straight championship in the UAAP womens volleyball tournament. I do the best in my position, na magkamali man ako, alam kong makakabawi ako the next time I get the chance, said the advertising management major. We cover each others mistakes in-game. Ganun na namin kakilala yung isat isa. The 21-yearold acknowledges the potential of this Lady Spikers squad to enter the record books. The rare three-peat is looming for La Salle, when they lorded over the UAAP volleyball scene from 2004 in Season 66 to 2006 in Season 68 with Maureen Penetrante, Desiree Hernandez, and Chie Saet at the helm. Tiu saw all of this unfold while she was still studying at New Ormoc City National High School. This squad is special because of the bonding we have, she said. We have already handled different experiences as a group. We have already been there numerous times and we would love to repeat it again. In fact, Coach Ramil de Jesus girls have been in the Finals for the last four years, with the only blip coming in 2010 when they fell to the Angeli Tabaquero-backed UST Tigresses. More than just a pretty face, Tiu, a transferee from De La Salle - Dasmarias, has ceded the spotlight to teammates like Michelle Gumabao, Abigail Marao, and sophomores Ara Galang and Mika Reyes, while racking up the scoreboards for the Lady Spikers. She is currently the sixth-best spiker in the league, good for 20th overall when it comes to points. We believe we have a complete line-up and we believe we can win it all again this year, she said. This year, the Lady Spikers are looking to send Tiu and libero Melissa Gohing to their curtain call with their tiara intact, just as they did last year with Charleen Cruz. We already have the adaptability. We can compose ourselves whenever we face big deficits and we fight our way back in the game, she said, before La Salle clawed their way back from a two-set hole in their game with the Ateneo Lady Eagles, giving them a share of the number one seed at the end of the first round. Albert Einstein once said, Try not to be a man of success, but rather to be a man of value. Tiu is just doing that, helping her team in her little own way while enjoying a low profile with the team.

WHEN University of Santo Tomas lost top volleyball setter Rhea Katrina Dimaculangan to graduation, the Tigresses knew they had to fill the void quickly.
Good thing that coach Arthur Odjie Mamon found the solution in form of her third-year player, Ma. Loren Lantin. One of USTs top recruits three years ago, Lantin has settled nicely in her role of assisting a powerful line-up led by Judy Anne Caballejo, Maika Ortiz, Maruja Banaticla, Pamela Lastimosa and Carmela Tunay. Di ko na lang iniisip yung pressure, the 21-year-old biology major said. Whether she minds it or not, Lantin has to live up to the expectations given USTs name card of being perennial contenders in the UAAP volleyball wars. Moreover, she is expected to deliver, just as the great setters in the past, like Denise Patricia Tan and Dimaculangan, did for the Tigresses. Lantin, though, will not be thrusted into the squad without guidance. Dimaculangan, their squads ate and the UAAP Season 72 Finals MVP now serves as a trainer for the , Tigresses, mentoring the 5-foot-7 Lantin and rookie setter Aleine Cabaos. But Lantin downplays her newly active role to the squad. Ang importante sa akin, magawa ko yung role ko sa team, said the Poveda product. Kung ano yung hingin sa akin ni Coach (Mamon) whenever Im on the court, dapat magawa ko ng tama. With all the talk of USTs performance in the tourney with her being the primary setter, Lantin said there is no difference from this year to last year, and doesnt want to get caught up with the comparisons. Nothings new. Pareho lang naman yung training namin kahit nung naglalaro pa si Ate Rhea (Dimaculangan) eh, she said. But she admits that what the Tigresses need to do is to focus more on their defensive end. We just have to practice more on our floor defense for us to get better results in our matches, she said. Whether Loren would pass the test of the keen UST supporters closely watching her, she said that there is only one thing that defines them whenever the squad is on the floor. We are all eager to win. Thats all.

ORMOC LASS
TIUS a reliable hitter for DLSU.
AUGUST DELA CRUZ

LOREN LANTIN FACEBOOK/GEARHEAD000.SPORTS.2012

CROWDDRAWER
LANTIN tosses the ball.

JANUARY 24-31, 2013

NUS SANTIAGO, ATENEOS TAJIMA

Delivering the goods

By Randolph B. Leongson

EIGHT is might, as they often say in sports. And thats what Ateneos Mary Mae Tajima and National Universitys Aleona Denise Dindin Santiago hope to bring for their teams in the UAAP womens volleyball tournament.
The 6-foot Tajima and the 6-foot-2 Santiago, though, know that they should deliver more than just intimidation on court. It helps (that I am tall), but we can balance it with the speed that we have, said Tajima, an 18year-old middle blocker. As a Lady Eagle, she doesnt really have to rack up the numbers for her squad, given that she has the luxury of playing with the core of Alyssa Valdez, Fille Cainglet, Gretchen Ho, and Angeline Gervacio whenever they need points. My teammates encourage me to do the blocking, to man our defensive frontline, Tajima said, citing that defense is what coach Roger Gorayeb is counting her for. But for Santiago, the assumption of having a tall player on a team is two-pronged. Being a tall player makes you stand out in a team where almost all of the players are at 5-foot8, or 5-foot-9, the Lady Bulldogs middle blocker said. But only a number of tall players are able to receive, defend, and do the other things which are valuable for their teams success. And that success is what NU are currently reaping. Behind Santiago and mainstays Myra Pablo and Cai Nepomuceno, the Lady Bulldogs are currently in contention for a spot in the Final Four. The height really helps more on the offensive end, she said. The 19-year-old Santiago is the leagues secondbest scorer, just behind Ateneos Valdez, with a vast majority of her points coming from spikes. But for the two ladies, they believe that players who love volleyball but are not blessed with the height they enjoy should remain unfazed. They should never down themselves for not being tall, but rather they should try and try if they really want to play volleyball, said Santiago, a former UST high school standout. They should always have that focus and train hard when it comes to practices. Tajima adds, If they really have the passion for playing volleyball, its their love for the game which would drive them. They dont need to be tall to be successful in playing volleyball. They should just enjoy playing the game.

DEFENSIVE frontliner Tajima

AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MIDDLE BLOCKER Dindin Santiago

AUGUST DELA CRUZ

JANUARY 24-31, 2013

By Alexx Esponga

HENEVER the San Beda College Red and Lady Spikers take foot on the court, they act like its their territory and whoever crosses the boarder line will be eaten alive.
The deafening silence will be replaced with thundering roars and as soon as the whistle blows, Captain Lorenzo Capate and senior Janine Marciano would charge without holding anything back and show no mercy to their preys to lead the Lions to supremacy and prove that they are still the Kings and Queens of the Jungle. Both the Red and Lady Spikers sealed last years NCAA Volleyball tournament with disappointment written all over their faces as they failed to reach the pinnacle, ending the season as 3rd placers while the girls of coach Ryan Sucaldito tied with the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates with a 5-4 record. Last season was my worst experience in the league, said the 56 Marciano. Nafeel ko na nag-expect sa amin ang mga tao at yung team ko sa akin pero hindi namin napatunayan kung ano ba yung kaya namin talaga. On the other hand, the Red Spikers, who have been gunning for their first-ever NCAA Mens Volleyball title in almost five decades, are very optimistic that this will be the Lions year. With an immaculate record of 6-0, the Red Spikers are confident that they will be taking home the bacon this time. Kahit maganda ang record namin ngayon, kailangan pa rin namin mag-trabaho ng mas matindi, quipped the fourth year skipper Capate. Noon, kulang pa talaga eh. Pero ngayon, mas lumalaban na kami.

Beware of the Red spikers

LION KING
CAPATE soars high for a spike.
AUGUST DELA CRUZ

TITLE-HUNGRY
MARCIANO wants to lift San Beda to the title. AUGUST DELA CRUZ