Inquirer 7: Varsity wars
There was no shortage of heroic moments in 2016 in collegiate sports as traditional powerhouses returned to the top and other schools broke new ground. It was the year La Salle lorded over two of the most popular competitions in the sporting calendar, while National U sustained its dominance in what is now considered as its pet events.
We continue our yearender special, the Inquirer 7, with highlights from varsity action all over the country.
Green Archers back on top
La Salle celebrates its ninth overall championship. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Carrying the burden of expectation like a heavy cross all season long, La Salle’s Green Archers completed their date with destiny with a sweep of fierce rival Ateneo Blue Eagles in the finals of UAAP Season 79 early this month.
With Season 79 Most Valuable Player Ben Mbala and graduating star Jeron Teng leading the charge, the Archers lost just one of their 17 games on their way to their ninth overall and their second title in four years.
The title was validation for La Salle’s rookie coach Aldin Ayo, whose transfer from a Letran that was fresh off an NCAA championship during the off-season was criticized. Facing a worthy challenger in the Eagles, who also defied the odds to reach the finals, the star-studded La Salle squad got its act together when it mattered.
San Beda returns to throne
Losing six of its top players to graduation hardly mattered for San Beda, which once again lorded it over the NCAA last October. Fueled by the loss to the Letran Knights in the previous season, the Red Lions played with a chip on their shoulder all season long, capping their journey back to the top with a two-game sweep of the Arellano Chiefs in the finals at Mall of Asia Arena. While standouts like Jayvee Mocon, Davon Potts and Arnaud Noah will once again lead the drive for a second straight title next year, Jarin won’t be back for San Beda’s title repeat as he accepted the National U coaching job early this month. Instead, it will be a familiar face in Boyet Fernandez calling the shots for the Lions in his second spell at Mendiola after victorious runs in 2013 and 2014.
Lady Spikers stun Valdez, Lady Eagles
La Salle Lady Spikers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
De La Salle’s Lady Spikers ended two years of frustration, while ruining Alyssa Valdez’s final year on an Ateneo jersey in UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball last April. The two bitter rivals squared off in a best-of-three championship series that went down the wire in what was billed to be the final chapter of Valdez’s decorated collegiate career. With Kim Fajardo pulling the strings on attack and Ara Galang, Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron and Kim Dy taking turns to deliver the points, the Lady Spikers spoiled the Lady Eagles bid for a three-peat with a 19-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-16 in the deciding Game 3.
St. Benilde nails 1st NCAA women’s volleyball title
FILE – St. Benilde Lady Blazers. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
College of St. Benilde collected its first NCAA women’s volleyball title in style after stunning San Sebastian College, 25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, last January. The spotlight had been on San Sebastian star and reigning MVP Grethcel Soltones all season long, but it was Lady Blazers Ranya Musa and Jannete Panaga who came through when it mattered, boosting the Blazers to their first title since joining the NCAA in 1998.
Maroons win it #ForRogie
Photo from UP’s website Tinig ng Plaridel
Drawing inspiration from a late teammate, University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons clinched a 17th UAAP men’s football title last May.
King Miyagi delivered a hat trick as UP overwhelmed Ateneo, 4-1, in the finals.
The Maroons drew inspiration all season long from the death of teammate Rogie Maglinas, who passed away due to cancer last February. “This win is for Rogie,” said UP coach Anto Gonzales. “He inspired us to do special things this season.”
The men’s victory capped a sensational football season for the Diliman-based school as the UP women’s side, also coached by Gonzales, claimed its first crown at the expense of fancied La Salle, 2-1, in the finals.
Lady Bulldogs stay unbeaten
NU Lady Bulldogs are the UAAP champions anew. Photo by Bong Lozada
The National U Lady Bulldogs extended their amazing winning run to 48 games, while capturing a third straight basketball crown in UAAP Season 79, where they beat La Salle in the finals.
After struggling to put away the Lady Archers in Game 1, the Lady Bulldogs rolled to a 96-72 win to clinch the title. Season MVP Afril Bernardino and Finals MVP Gemma Miranda did most of the damage for the Lady Bulldogs in the finals.
“It’s just a blessing to have these two players in the team,” said NU coach Pat Aquino. “They just led by example and carried the team all season.”
NU keeps cheerdance title
One of NU Pep Squad’s pyramids. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The absence of perennial contender University of the Philippines may have taken some of the luster from the UAAP Cheerdance competition, but that seemed to be the least of National U Pep Squad’s worries.
Adapting a futuristic theme to their routine, the NU Pep Squad bested Far Eastern U and Adamson to bag a fourth straight cheer dance title. An almost flawless routine saw NU collect 711 points.
