(Author's note: This article first appeared at The Philippine Online Chronicles)
When the final buzzer rang on the 2010 Philippine college basketball season last December 6, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) came out on top, capturing their second straight national title on top of their third straight UAAP conference crown.
UAAP Season 73: Three's the charm
Curiously, the now three-time defending champions were not the ones favored entering this year's University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) tournament.
The pre-season saw the spotlights squared on the heads of the futile University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, bannered by highly touted Fil-Am rookie Mike Silungan, and flanked by seniors Woody Co and national team mainstay Magi King Sison.
However, the magic wore off three games into the season, when the team had three losses in tow. Maroons head coach Aboy Castro was temporarily replaced by top assistant Potit de Vera, reminiscent of when he took over from Joe Lipa in 2008. The team was ultimately handled by "consultant" and former Sta. Lucia Realtors head coach Boyet Fernandez. The coaching change seemed to have worsened the situation and eventually led to the team's second winless season in the last five years.
Unheralded University of Santo Tomas (UST) tried to be the spoilers by initially beating out more fancied squads, before their fuel ran out in the second round. University of the East (UE), who lost key players in their upset run to the Finals last season, made a huge drop from title contenders to wildcard entries to the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL).
The biggest surprise of the season was Adamson University (AdU) and National University (NU). The Falcons made their second conference Final Four appearance under coach Leo Austria, their first since 2007, and a unit of unheralded role players molded as go-to guys. The Bulldogs, under Eric Gonzales, were a rag-tag unit headed by leading MVP candidate Emmanuel Mbe and highly touted rookie Glenn Khobuntin.
De La Salle University (DLSU), meanwhile, returned after missing out on the Final Four for the first time since 2006. Former Letran Squire Jarelan Tampus, captain Simon Atkins, and Sam Marata held the fort in their run.
Far Eastern University (FEU) started out their season on a seven-game winning streak, until AdU and DLSU upended them in the second round, denting a perfect season to finish with a 12-2 card. They eventually ousted DLSU in a close Final Four encounter that required an extra session to decide.
ADMU, like UE, also lost key players from their title run from last season such as Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao, and Jai Reyes. The Blue Eagles quietly finished with a 10-4 mark to end the double-round elimination. In the Final Four, they easily beat AdU, who didn't put much of a fight in their do-or-die matchup.
In Game 1 of the conference finals, Ateneo easily ran away with a 72-49 win that was not even close from the opening period.
However, with the title on the balance, FEU kept the game close until Ryan Buenafe made crucial baskets late in the game to seal their third consecutive UAAP crown, joining the elite club of UST and DLSU as teams who have nabbed the title in three or more consecutive years since the Final Four format was introduced in 1994.
NCAA Season 86: 'Sweep 18' to REDemption
Last year's loss fueled San Beda's "Mighty Kid" Borgie Hermida's drive to bring his team to victory. Playing in his 16th and last season in a Red and White uniform, he teamed up with eventual season and finals Most Valuable Player Sudan Daniel to create an unprecedented run to the title.
Except for their last game, the Red Lions won all their elimination round games by double digits.
Making a bold statement immediately after their 16-game sweep of the double-round eliminations against finals foe San Sebastian College (SBC), Daniel said, "We sweep on 16, win the title at 18. Borgie's number, my number."
And sweep they did.
2010 PCCL: A 'battle of the birds'
Entering this year's PCCL tournament, fanatics of both Manny Pangilinan-backed squads SBC and ADMU were abuzz with their impending matchup.
The two teams, among the most storied teams in college basketball, never met each other in the post-season since the ill-fated 1974 National Collegiate Athletic Association championship, after which the Eagles withdrew from the league and joined the fledging UAAP.
This year's field of 16 featured six squads from the UAAP (ADMU, FEU, DLSU, AdU, UE, NU), five from the NCAA (SBC, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, Jose Rizal University, Mapua Institute of Technology, Letran College), and three Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Incorporated (CESAFI) squads (University of Cebu, University of Visayas, University of San Carlos).
Meanwhile, only two schools (University of Iloilo and Lyceum of the Philippines) did not come from any of the three major collegiate conferences and captured a wildcard slot to qualify in the Round of 16.
In the round of 16, AdU and San Carlos proved to be the only spoilers within the bunch of Elite Eight qualifiers, ousting a shorthanded SSC-R and a once-dominant University of Visayas early in the tournament.
CESAFI titleholders University of Cebu, UAAP champion Ateneo, Mapua, NCAA champion San Beda, De La Salle, and Far Eastern Univeristy rounded out the Round of Eight qualifiers.
In the round of eight, University of Cebu and Ateneo de Manila University went on as expected, although the Blue Eagles were still very much "not in UAAP shape" according to Coach Norman Black. Adamson University put away an already-rebuilding Far Eastern University steered by former Ateneo star Richie Ticzon.
The biggest upset of the tournament was pulled off by an undermanned De La Salle University squad, who only had 11 out of their 15-man UAAP roster on hand due to various players begging off for various reasons and injuries, in a classic game that saw the Green Archers pull away in the fourth quarter in an emotionally-charged meeting between schools that foiled a highly anticipated matchup between the NCAA and UAAP titleholders.
Despite the imposing presence of the 6-foot-10 Junmar Fajardo, ADMU took the game to advance to the national championship for the fourth consecutive year.
Adamson University won their semi-final game and advanced to the title series for the first time in the history of the tournament.
Despite a Game One upset by Adamson on a controversial ending, ADMU repeated history by nabbing their third PCCL crown in four years.
Along with the distinction of being national champions, the Katipunan squad also netted an appearance at the ongoing 18th Super Kung Sheung Cup in Hong Kong.
The future: Blue chip recruits
With the teams now developing new talent in minor leagues, such as the ongoing Father Martin's Cup, we can soon see who will emerge as the next blue chip recruit.
Contrary to initial reports, UAAP Season 73 juniors finals MVP Kiefer Ravena has not decided where he will go to school in 2011. His UST nemesis, Kevin Ferrer, is rumored to have landed in Eric Altamirano's program in NU, but no confirmation has been made.
In the NCAA, Baser Amer has already made up his mind and decided to grow his mane to join the Red Lions in Mendiola. His future mentor, Frankie Lim, has explicitly stated immediately after their 18-game sweep of the NCAA season in October that he wants to see Amer, guard Von Chavez, with big men Chis Javier and Alfonso Gotladera in the Mendiola gym come December.
Gotladera, meanwhile, may as well end up in the program of Coach Norman Black in Ateneo, along with fellow former Red Cubs Nico Salva and Arthur Dela Cruz in the fold. If he decides to reconsider and follow Amer to Mendiola, he would have to share playing time with other big men such as Kyle Pascual, Jake Pascual, and Dave Marcelo.
Wherever they may end up, the 2011 college basketball season will be interesting to watch out for.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
2010 AFF CUP: Title aspirations end for Azkals; Indonesia-Malaysia in finals
(Author's note: This article first appeared at The Philippine Online Chronicles)
The Philippine national football team's dreams to go beyond the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup semis were crushed Sunday night, with their match ending 1-0 in favor of Indonesia.
Indonesia's Cristian Gonzales struck in the game's 42nd minute, giving his team the game's first and only goal. He let loose a left-booted strike from outside the penalty area, off a rebounded clearoff attempt that was way out of star goalkeeper Neil Etheridge's reach. Gonzales was also the hero of the first match, in which Indonesia prevailed 1-0.
This proved to be enough to sink the Philippines' Azkals, who went down by a total of 2-0 on aggregate to the Group A winners. The Indonesian squad, monickered "Merah Putih," will have to contend with Malaysia, who dethroned defending AFF Cup holders Vietnam by holding them to a scoreless draw in the second leg for a 2-0 scoreline on aggregate.
The double-leg Finals will begin on December 26 in Kuala Lumpur.
Silver lining
Although the Azkals will be heading home empty-handed and scoreless after the double-leg semi-finals, they have gained a lot of supporters and admirers along the way.
Their best attempts on goal were in the second half under intense defensive pressure from their foes, with a header by Chris Greatwich finding its way just a few meters high from the crossbar.
Bahranian referee Ali Hasan Ebrahim Abdulnabi had his hands full trying to get a grip on an intensely physical and heated matchup, with over 80,000 football fans in attendance at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Megawati Sukarnoputri as guests of honor.
A total of three yellow cards in the first half alone were assessed to the Philippines, one each for Greatwich, Ian Araneta and Rob Gier. Greatwich was given his second yellow card of the match, tantamount to a red card, in the 86th minute, and left the PHL booters with only 10 men to finish the contest.
Up next: 2012 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers in February
Though this was the end of the road for the Simon McMenemy-mentored club in the tournament, they have a bigger task at hand in their upcoming matches in the 2012 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, a lower tier international competition for developing Asian football nations, beginning in February.
In a draw conducted on October 20, the Philippines will be facing Mongolia in a double-round playoff in 2011, on February 9 and 16. If the Azkals do advance, they will take part in the group stages, where they will be clustered in Group A alongside Myanmar, Palestine, and Bangladesh.
Other squads in the biennial tournament include this year's champions North Korea (DPR Korea), Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afgahanistan, Chinese Taipei, Laos, Cambodia and Macau.
AFF SUZUKI CUP FIXTURES AND RESULTS
SEMI-FINALS
MALAYSIA vs. VIETNAM
Leg 1: MAS 2 - 0 VNM
MAS: M. Safee (61", 80")
Leg 2: VNM 0-0 MAS
Malaysia advances to final round with a 2-0 aggregate score
INDONESIA vs. PHILIPPINES
Leg 1: INA 1 - 0 PHL
INA: C. Gonzales (30")
Leg 2: INA 1- 0 PHL
INA: C Gonzales (42")
Indonesia advances to final round with a 2-0 aggregate score
FINALS
MALAYSIA vs. INDONESIA
Leg 1 (December 26, 2010)
National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Leg 2 (December 29, 2010)
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
The Philippine national football team's dreams to go beyond the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup semis were crushed Sunday night, with their match ending 1-0 in favor of Indonesia.
Indonesia's Cristian Gonzales struck in the game's 42nd minute, giving his team the game's first and only goal. He let loose a left-booted strike from outside the penalty area, off a rebounded clearoff attempt that was way out of star goalkeeper Neil Etheridge's reach. Gonzales was also the hero of the first match, in which Indonesia prevailed 1-0.
This proved to be enough to sink the Philippines' Azkals, who went down by a total of 2-0 on aggregate to the Group A winners. The Indonesian squad, monickered "Merah Putih," will have to contend with Malaysia, who dethroned defending AFF Cup holders Vietnam by holding them to a scoreless draw in the second leg for a 2-0 scoreline on aggregate.
The double-leg Finals will begin on December 26 in Kuala Lumpur.
Silver lining
Although the Azkals will be heading home empty-handed and scoreless after the double-leg semi-finals, they have gained a lot of supporters and admirers along the way.
Their best attempts on goal were in the second half under intense defensive pressure from their foes, with a header by Chris Greatwich finding its way just a few meters high from the crossbar.
Bahranian referee Ali Hasan Ebrahim Abdulnabi had his hands full trying to get a grip on an intensely physical and heated matchup, with over 80,000 football fans in attendance at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Megawati Sukarnoputri as guests of honor.
A total of three yellow cards in the first half alone were assessed to the Philippines, one each for Greatwich, Ian Araneta and Rob Gier. Greatwich was given his second yellow card of the match, tantamount to a red card, in the 86th minute, and left the PHL booters with only 10 men to finish the contest.
Up next: 2012 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers in February
Though this was the end of the road for the Simon McMenemy-mentored club in the tournament, they have a bigger task at hand in their upcoming matches in the 2012 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, a lower tier international competition for developing Asian football nations, beginning in February.
In a draw conducted on October 20, the Philippines will be facing Mongolia in a double-round playoff in 2011, on February 9 and 16. If the Azkals do advance, they will take part in the group stages, where they will be clustered in Group A alongside Myanmar, Palestine, and Bangladesh.
Other squads in the biennial tournament include this year's champions North Korea (DPR Korea), Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afgahanistan, Chinese Taipei, Laos, Cambodia and Macau.
AFF SUZUKI CUP FIXTURES AND RESULTS
SEMI-FINALS
MALAYSIA vs. VIETNAM
Leg 1: MAS 2 - 0 VNM
MAS: M. Safee (61", 80")
Leg 2: VNM 0-0 MAS
Malaysia advances to final round with a 2-0 aggregate score
INDONESIA vs. PHILIPPINES
Leg 1: INA 1 - 0 PHL
INA: C. Gonzales (30")
Leg 2: INA 1- 0 PHL
INA: C Gonzales (42")
Indonesia advances to final round with a 2-0 aggregate score
FINALS
MALAYSIA vs. INDONESIA
Leg 1 (December 26, 2010)
National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Leg 2 (December 29, 2010)
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Off-Beat: 'Azkals' website crashes
Although they missed on their chance to lift the AFF Cup this year, the Philippine men's national football team has gained so many admirers and critics alike along the way.
The mania has not only been on the football pitch but has also spilled over in cyberspace.
Besides the buzz and the hype surrounding the team through extended coverage by the local and foreign media, they also gained much ground on the social networking website called Tumblr with some of its users having school girl crushes on a number of its players.
Then, there was talk about the team's official website on Twitter.
During the team's return presser at the H2O Hotel in Manila Ocean Park, there was a banner that explicitly did not display the Philippine Football Federation's website, but of a separate and different website that was devoted to the team, which could have been part of the ploy created by their team manager Dan Palami to shield the squad from the bitter politicking that has plagued the organization in recent times.
Going back to the talk about the team's website, I immediately pointed out to TJ Manotoc about the squad's official homepage in a reply, which he quickly disseminated for all to take a peep.
Before I knew it, an Error 509 message greeted me when I tried to access it at around 4am.
I knew that a good number of people here in the country were maniacal about football (see: World Cup 2006/2010 viewing parties) and know a good number of friends supporting teams that made it into the World Cup Final (that's the tournament, not the championship game in itself), but this is something much better than I could imagine.
The boys are finally getting the credit they are due. Playing under the radar and gaining the respect and admiration of our Southeast Asian neighbors is a good sight to see amidst all the drama behind the scenes.
Let's continue this passion for OUR team in future tournaments, specially the upcoming 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in February, where they will grow together as a team and inch their way to a chance of making it into the World Cup Final.
The mania has not only been on the football pitch but has also spilled over in cyberspace.
Besides the buzz and the hype surrounding the team through extended coverage by the local and foreign media, they also gained much ground on the social networking website called Tumblr with some of its users having school girl crushes on a number of its players.
Then, there was talk about the team's official website on Twitter.
During the team's return presser at the H2O Hotel in Manila Ocean Park, there was a banner that explicitly did not display the Philippine Football Federation's website, but of a separate and different website that was devoted to the team, which could have been part of the ploy created by their team manager Dan Palami to shield the squad from the bitter politicking that has plagued the organization in recent times.
Going back to the talk about the team's website, I immediately pointed out to TJ Manotoc about the squad's official homepage in a reply, which he quickly disseminated for all to take a peep.
Before I knew it, an Error 509 message greeted me when I tried to access it at around 4am.
I knew that a good number of people here in the country were maniacal about football (see: World Cup 2006/2010 viewing parties) and know a good number of friends supporting teams that made it into the World Cup Final (that's the tournament, not the championship game in itself), but this is something much better than I could imagine.
The boys are finally getting the credit they are due. Playing under the radar and gaining the respect and admiration of our Southeast Asian neighbors is a good sight to see amidst all the drama behind the scenes.
Let's continue this passion for OUR team in future tournaments, specially the upcoming 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers in February, where they will grow together as a team and inch their way to a chance of making it into the World Cup Final.
Friday, December 17, 2010
PHL Women's Basketball Team: 'Perlas' out of the rough
(Author's note: This article first appeared at The Philippine Online Chronicles.)
Asian teams, watch out. The Philippines' national team for women's basketball is for real.
Dubbed "Perlas ng Pilipinas," the team has been on the rise since the country's return from a FIBA-imposed suspension from international competition in 2007. It is managed by Cynthia Tiu and steered by head coach Haydee Ong, a former member of the women's youth and seniors squad until her entry into the coaching staff of former coach Bai Cristobal in 1998.
With the 7th Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) Championships for Women recently drawing to a close, the Philippines came out victorious and handily defeated the opposition by a distant 34.2 points per contest and decimated the top two teams in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region, namely Thailand and Malaysia.
Out of all the squads that the country sent out for international competitions, their current lineup may as well be the most dominant squad that has ever been assembled in SEA-level competition. In fact, the squad previously placed second to Thailand in the SEABA women's tiff in the same year that the team returned from the suspension.
Credit has to be given to the resurgence of the program after a power struggle in the leadership of the former national sport association (NSA) for basketball, namely the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), paved the way for a reformation of the program which included a rigorous training abroad with the Australian national women's team and seeing action in a tournament in Doha, Qatar in recent months.
Not so high (yet), but mighty
A more tangible testament to the vast improvement of the program is their standing in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) world rankings, where they currently stand tied with Sri Lanka in 50th place. In the rankings, they only lag behind Asian stalwarts China, Republic of Korea, and Japan, who were the three teams that represented FIBA Asia in the recent World Championship for Women held in Czech Republic. Following suit is Chinese Taipei, Southeast Asian rivals Thailand and Indonesia, and finally Hong Kong.
In manhandling two teams that have already established themselves as contenders in Asia, it's perhaps time that the team would reap a useful harvest in exchange for hard work and dedication to their craft.
Though the squad has gained ground in the region, it still has to work its way towards getting out of the "B" division in international competitions and into the elite level in women's play.
Currently, the team is admittedly undersized against the much taller opposition, but Coach Haydee remarked, "We are a defensive team. What we lack in height we will make up for [in] quickness."
The most notable player on their roster is 6-footer Cassy Tioseco, a Fil-Canadian center who played under Coach Ong during her playing years in Ateneo de Manila University, is perhaps set to be one of the key players for the team in the low post.
Other members of the current roster are captains Pixie Valencia and Ford Grajales, team members Choi Borja, Ewon Arayi, Glo Gloriani, MJ Jacob, Bernie Mercodo, AA Adriano, Dianna Jose, Fatima Tolentino and Anna Pineda.
Candidate for naturalization, 6'3" Chinese national Xiaojing Zheng, is also part of the team but did not compete in the recent tournament due to the stalling of Congress proceedings that would grant her Filipino citizenship.
Stricken
With the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China on the horizon, it was unfortunate though that the promising and talented squad was stricken from the roster of athletes under the Philippine banner in the quadrennial event.
In fact, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala quipped during the SEABA championships that "We will work hard for the inclusion of the [women's basketball] team into the Asian games roster."
Unfortunately, the squad will have to wait another four years for a shot to gain glory in the Asian region. Nevertheless, Perlas can now hold their heads up high and be proud to say that they belong in the international arena of women's hoops.
Asian teams, watch out. The Philippines' national team for women's basketball is for real.
Dubbed "Perlas ng Pilipinas," the team has been on the rise since the country's return from a FIBA-imposed suspension from international competition in 2007. It is managed by Cynthia Tiu and steered by head coach Haydee Ong, a former member of the women's youth and seniors squad until her entry into the coaching staff of former coach Bai Cristobal in 1998.
With the 7th Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) Championships for Women recently drawing to a close, the Philippines came out victorious and handily defeated the opposition by a distant 34.2 points per contest and decimated the top two teams in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region, namely Thailand and Malaysia.
Out of all the squads that the country sent out for international competitions, their current lineup may as well be the most dominant squad that has ever been assembled in SEA-level competition. In fact, the squad previously placed second to Thailand in the SEABA women's tiff in the same year that the team returned from the suspension.
Credit has to be given to the resurgence of the program after a power struggle in the leadership of the former national sport association (NSA) for basketball, namely the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), paved the way for a reformation of the program which included a rigorous training abroad with the Australian national women's team and seeing action in a tournament in Doha, Qatar in recent months.
Not so high (yet), but mighty
A more tangible testament to the vast improvement of the program is their standing in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) world rankings, where they currently stand tied with Sri Lanka in 50th place. In the rankings, they only lag behind Asian stalwarts China, Republic of Korea, and Japan, who were the three teams that represented FIBA Asia in the recent World Championship for Women held in Czech Republic. Following suit is Chinese Taipei, Southeast Asian rivals Thailand and Indonesia, and finally Hong Kong.
In manhandling two teams that have already established themselves as contenders in Asia, it's perhaps time that the team would reap a useful harvest in exchange for hard work and dedication to their craft.
Though the squad has gained ground in the region, it still has to work its way towards getting out of the "B" division in international competitions and into the elite level in women's play.
Currently, the team is admittedly undersized against the much taller opposition, but Coach Haydee remarked, "We are a defensive team. What we lack in height we will make up for [in] quickness."
The most notable player on their roster is 6-footer Cassy Tioseco, a Fil-Canadian center who played under Coach Ong during her playing years in Ateneo de Manila University, is perhaps set to be one of the key players for the team in the low post.
Other members of the current roster are captains Pixie Valencia and Ford Grajales, team members Choi Borja, Ewon Arayi, Glo Gloriani, MJ Jacob, Bernie Mercodo, AA Adriano, Dianna Jose, Fatima Tolentino and Anna Pineda.
Candidate for naturalization, 6'3" Chinese national Xiaojing Zheng, is also part of the team but did not compete in the recent tournament due to the stalling of Congress proceedings that would grant her Filipino citizenship.
Stricken
With the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China on the horizon, it was unfortunate though that the promising and talented squad was stricken from the roster of athletes under the Philippine banner in the quadrennial event.
In fact, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala quipped during the SEABA championships that "We will work hard for the inclusion of the [women's basketball] team into the Asian games roster."
Unfortunately, the squad will have to wait another four years for a shot to gain glory in the Asian region. Nevertheless, Perlas can now hold their heads up high and be proud to say that they belong in the international arena of women's hoops.
2010 AFF CUP: 'Azkals' concede goal in 'home' loss to Indons
(Author's note: This article first appeared at The Philippine Online Chronicles.)
A defensive error allowed the lone goal that secured a 1-0 "away" win for Indonesia against the Philippines in the first leg of their 2010 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup semi-finals match on Thursday night.
A day earlier, defending champions Vietnam lost 2-0 to Malaysia in the other semi-finals matchup, where Malaysia's Mohd Safee scored a pair of goals in the 61" and 80" during the second half.
In front of close to 80,000 people, including incumbent Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudyuhono, the heat was on for the hosts at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. Facing a victory-hungry Philippine XI, the Indonesians managed to rise above the pressure and made very close attempts on goal.
Their Philippine counterparts responded with the same intensity, with the chance of hosting a game on home soil being denied due to technicalities regarding the game venue. Phil Younghusband and Chris Greatwich managed to attempt shots either within the penalty box or just outside, but their efforts were denied by the Indonesian defense.
In the 30", a rare defensive lapse by Ray Jonsson that blocked Neil Etheridge's chance for a defensive stop resulted in a Kristian Gonzales header that was slotted in the left corner of the goal and give the leg's "hosts" a 1-0 advantage.
One of the best chances by the Filipinos to equalize was on a mad scramble for the loose ball within the penalty area on the 75", when the spheroid found its way to Phil Younghusband, who managed to fire it into the goal. However, it was headed by Zulkifly Syukur.
A highly physical match that saw the Red and Whites triple-teaming the Younghusband brothers at almost every opportunity to neutralize their effectiveness on the pitch saw four players getting yellow cards, which included Phil Younghusband and Jason de Jong for the blue shirts, while Kristian Gonzales and Oktovianus Maniani were the offenders in the red shirts.
Luckily for the Philippine team, the away goals rule was waived due to the rare and unfortunate "away-and-away" setup. This means that the PHL XI should shut out the Red and Whites by a scoreline of 2-0 to go through without having to extend the match to a "golden goal" extra time or a penalty shootout.
In related developments, the Philippines has been tapped to host the next edition of the AFF Cup in 2012, according to Philippine Football Federation (PFF) media bureau chief Rick Olivares. Details have not been released, but it has been made into reality by the tireless efforts of interim PFF head Nonong Araneta, Monico Puentebella and Ravy Khek.
The second leg of the Indonesia-Philippines matchup will be on Sunday, still at Jakarta.
AFF SUZUKI CUP FIXTURES AND RESULTS
SEMI-FINALS
MALAYSIA vs. VIETNAM
Leg 1: MAS 2 - 0 VNM
MAS: M. Safee (61", 80")
Leg 2 (December 18, 2010): MAS at VNM
My Dinh Stadium - Hanoi, Vietnam
INDONESIA vs. PHILIPPINES
Leg 1: INA 1 - 0 PHL
INA: K. Gonzales (30")
Leg 2 (December 19, 2010): PHL at INA
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium - Jakarta, Indonesia
A defensive error allowed the lone goal that secured a 1-0 "away" win for Indonesia against the Philippines in the first leg of their 2010 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup semi-finals match on Thursday night.
A day earlier, defending champions Vietnam lost 2-0 to Malaysia in the other semi-finals matchup, where Malaysia's Mohd Safee scored a pair of goals in the 61" and 80" during the second half.
In front of close to 80,000 people, including incumbent Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudyuhono, the heat was on for the hosts at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. Facing a victory-hungry Philippine XI, the Indonesians managed to rise above the pressure and made very close attempts on goal.
Their Philippine counterparts responded with the same intensity, with the chance of hosting a game on home soil being denied due to technicalities regarding the game venue. Phil Younghusband and Chris Greatwich managed to attempt shots either within the penalty box or just outside, but their efforts were denied by the Indonesian defense.
In the 30", a rare defensive lapse by Ray Jonsson that blocked Neil Etheridge's chance for a defensive stop resulted in a Kristian Gonzales header that was slotted in the left corner of the goal and give the leg's "hosts" a 1-0 advantage.
One of the best chances by the Filipinos to equalize was on a mad scramble for the loose ball within the penalty area on the 75", when the spheroid found its way to Phil Younghusband, who managed to fire it into the goal. However, it was headed by Zulkifly Syukur.
A highly physical match that saw the Red and Whites triple-teaming the Younghusband brothers at almost every opportunity to neutralize their effectiveness on the pitch saw four players getting yellow cards, which included Phil Younghusband and Jason de Jong for the blue shirts, while Kristian Gonzales and Oktovianus Maniani were the offenders in the red shirts.
Luckily for the Philippine team, the away goals rule was waived due to the rare and unfortunate "away-and-away" setup. This means that the PHL XI should shut out the Red and Whites by a scoreline of 2-0 to go through without having to extend the match to a "golden goal" extra time or a penalty shootout.
In related developments, the Philippines has been tapped to host the next edition of the AFF Cup in 2012, according to Philippine Football Federation (PFF) media bureau chief Rick Olivares. Details have not been released, but it has been made into reality by the tireless efforts of interim PFF head Nonong Araneta, Monico Puentebella and Ravy Khek.
The second leg of the Indonesia-Philippines matchup will be on Sunday, still at Jakarta.
AFF SUZUKI CUP FIXTURES AND RESULTS
SEMI-FINALS
MALAYSIA vs. VIETNAM
Leg 1: MAS 2 - 0 VNM
MAS: M. Safee (61", 80")
Leg 2 (December 18, 2010): MAS at VNM
My Dinh Stadium - Hanoi, Vietnam
INDONESIA vs. PHILIPPINES
Leg 1: INA 1 - 0 PHL
INA: K. Gonzales (30")
Leg 2 (December 19, 2010): PHL at INA
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium - Jakarta, Indonesia
Rivalry Week: San Beda vs. Letran
(Author's note: This article first appeared at The Philippine Online Chronicles)
On the other hand, San Beda would be remembered for figures such as Caloy Loyzaga, Ato Badolato, Yousif Aljamal, Sam Ekwe, Pong Escobal, Ogie Menor, and as being the homestead of many other players who made their mark as a Red Cub but never did grow to become a Red Lion.
Fast forward to this year: After winning their recent match-ups before facing each other this Wednesday, coaches Frankie Lim of San Beda and Louie Alas of Letran did not seem to care that they would face their tormentor next. But deep inside them is a longing to get back at each other for what one has done to the other in the past few years they have crossed paths in the oldest collegiate conference in the country.
How the rivalry was formed
Part of the "Old Timer Six" (San Beda, Letran College, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle, Jose Rizal College, Mapua Institute of Technology) of the NCAA and two of the four remaining members of the club, these schools first met in the championship round of 1950.
The Knights, who paraded a legendary lineup that was touted as "Murder, Inc." since they played a merciless brand of basketball that razed through the opposition, were on the verge of sweeping the season and automatically capturing the championship. However, they fell to an upset-minded San Beda squad that would eventually topple in the deciding game that would hand them the hardware.
They would never face one another again in the championship round, but they made names of their own by winning multiple championships in the succeeding decades. San Beda's seniors basketball program fell onto hard times after last winning the championship in 1978, while the Knights would remain contenders for decades after.
The 2000s: Lions struggle, Knights on top
The Muralla-based squad of Coach Alas has been consistently in the Final Four of the NCAA since his return to the bench in 2003. The Knights were led by the likes of former Letran Squire Boyet Bautista, Aaron Aban, and Ronjay Enrile. They won two titles in their three appearances in the championship round, the latest one during Season 81 in 2005.
On the flip side, the San Beda Red Lions failed to make it into the Final Four until 2004, but would eventually succumb to Perpetual after winning the first game of their semi-final series with the Altas holding a twice-to-beat advantage. The Lions would not make it again to the Final Four until their return to prominence in Season 82, where they captured the title against Philippine Christian University, behind Nigerian big man Sam Ekwe and Finals MVP Yousif Aljamal.
By this time, the Letran Knights have amassed a total of 16 men's basketball titles, while the San Beda Red Lions trail behind with 12 championships.
2007: The rivalry reignited
In the NCAA's 83rd season, league-leading San Beda entered their final first round game against second place Letran with an unblemished 6-0 card. The Red Lions led most of the way, but it was a late surge by the Knights that gave them the win. Eventually, the Red Lions swept through the rest of the second round, including a convincing win against the Knights in their rematch inside a sold-out Araneta Coliseum, where supporters from both sides engaged in a brawl near the south tunnel leading to the court.
In the Final Four, both teams easily disposed of their assignments and arranged a title showdown that had been 57 years in the making. The Red Lions, despite the legal controversy surrounding Yousif Aljamal and his application to take part in the PBA draft, eventually swept through the Knights for their second consecutive championship.
The Mendiola five captured another crown in the following year, but was swept by the San Sebastian Golden Stags in the final round of Season 85. Now, Letran has the most number of seniors titles with 16, while San Beda is not too far behind with 14. That number makes up 30 of the 51 titles from the current active members in the league, which is comparable to the dominance of the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
2008-Present: Shadow of the NCAA's violent past
The two teams have not faced each other in the final round since Season 83, but their matchups proved to be the top crowd drawer in the season until the recent resurgence of the San Sebastian Golden Stags. Unfortunately, uncontrolled melees end the contests, though they are not as intense as those that marred the league in the 1970s.
The most recent example of such violence occuring was their first round encounter in Season 85 at the Filoil Flying V Arena, where Toffer Alas pushed Sudan Daniel before the final buzzer sounded on the Red Lions' five-point victory, starting a free-for-all where both sides pelted debris onto the playing court. This prompted the city's mayor to enforce a strict code of conduct in the playing venue for both the patrons and athletes thereafter.
In a sign of things to come, a recent Filoil Flying V-Tanduay First Five Pre-season Invitational Cup game between these two squads ended with Letran abandoning the game in the third period due to a disagreement on Kevin Alas' fifth and final foul on a Garvo Lanete three-point play, with a near-bench clearing brawl errupting. Letran head coach Alas threw the ball in the air and got ejected, alongside San Beda assistant coach Ed Cordero, which triggered a Letran walkout from the contest.
With these two teams going in separate directions entering their most awaited contest, San Beda on a three-game run and Letran earning their first victory after struggling in their first two contests, it's not in statistics but in the hearts and minds of the contestants that this rivalry keeps burning.
On the other hand, San Beda would be remembered for figures such as Caloy Loyzaga, Ato Badolato, Yousif Aljamal, Sam Ekwe, Pong Escobal, Ogie Menor, and as being the homestead of many other players who made their mark as a Red Cub but never did grow to become a Red Lion.
Fast forward to this year: After winning their recent match-ups before facing each other this Wednesday, coaches Frankie Lim of San Beda and Louie Alas of Letran did not seem to care that they would face their tormentor next. But deep inside them is a longing to get back at each other for what one has done to the other in the past few years they have crossed paths in the oldest collegiate conference in the country.
How the rivalry was formed
Part of the "Old Timer Six" (San Beda, Letran College, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle, Jose Rizal College, Mapua Institute of Technology) of the NCAA and two of the four remaining members of the club, these schools first met in the championship round of 1950.
The Knights, who paraded a legendary lineup that was touted as "Murder, Inc." since they played a merciless brand of basketball that razed through the opposition, were on the verge of sweeping the season and automatically capturing the championship. However, they fell to an upset-minded San Beda squad that would eventually topple in the deciding game that would hand them the hardware.
They would never face one another again in the championship round, but they made names of their own by winning multiple championships in the succeeding decades. San Beda's seniors basketball program fell onto hard times after last winning the championship in 1978, while the Knights would remain contenders for decades after.
The 2000s: Lions struggle, Knights on top
The Muralla-based squad of Coach Alas has been consistently in the Final Four of the NCAA since his return to the bench in 2003. The Knights were led by the likes of former Letran Squire Boyet Bautista, Aaron Aban, and Ronjay Enrile. They won two titles in their three appearances in the championship round, the latest one during Season 81 in 2005.
On the flip side, the San Beda Red Lions failed to make it into the Final Four until 2004, but would eventually succumb to Perpetual after winning the first game of their semi-final series with the Altas holding a twice-to-beat advantage. The Lions would not make it again to the Final Four until their return to prominence in Season 82, where they captured the title against Philippine Christian University, behind Nigerian big man Sam Ekwe and Finals MVP Yousif Aljamal.
By this time, the Letran Knights have amassed a total of 16 men's basketball titles, while the San Beda Red Lions trail behind with 12 championships.
2007: The rivalry reignited
In the NCAA's 83rd season, league-leading San Beda entered their final first round game against second place Letran with an unblemished 6-0 card. The Red Lions led most of the way, but it was a late surge by the Knights that gave them the win. Eventually, the Red Lions swept through the rest of the second round, including a convincing win against the Knights in their rematch inside a sold-out Araneta Coliseum, where supporters from both sides engaged in a brawl near the south tunnel leading to the court.
In the Final Four, both teams easily disposed of their assignments and arranged a title showdown that had been 57 years in the making. The Red Lions, despite the legal controversy surrounding Yousif Aljamal and his application to take part in the PBA draft, eventually swept through the Knights for their second consecutive championship.
The Mendiola five captured another crown in the following year, but was swept by the San Sebastian Golden Stags in the final round of Season 85. Now, Letran has the most number of seniors titles with 16, while San Beda is not too far behind with 14. That number makes up 30 of the 51 titles from the current active members in the league, which is comparable to the dominance of the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
2008-Present: Shadow of the NCAA's violent past
The two teams have not faced each other in the final round since Season 83, but their matchups proved to be the top crowd drawer in the season until the recent resurgence of the San Sebastian Golden Stags. Unfortunately, uncontrolled melees end the contests, though they are not as intense as those that marred the league in the 1970s.
The most recent example of such violence occuring was their first round encounter in Season 85 at the Filoil Flying V Arena, where Toffer Alas pushed Sudan Daniel before the final buzzer sounded on the Red Lions' five-point victory, starting a free-for-all where both sides pelted debris onto the playing court. This prompted the city's mayor to enforce a strict code of conduct in the playing venue for both the patrons and athletes thereafter.
In a sign of things to come, a recent Filoil Flying V-Tanduay First Five Pre-season Invitational Cup game between these two squads ended with Letran abandoning the game in the third period due to a disagreement on Kevin Alas' fifth and final foul on a Garvo Lanete three-point play, with a near-bench clearing brawl errupting. Letran head coach Alas threw the ball in the air and got ejected, alongside San Beda assistant coach Ed Cordero, which triggered a Letran walkout from the contest.
With these two teams going in separate directions entering their most awaited contest, San Beda on a three-game run and Letran earning their first victory after struggling in their first two contests, it's not in statistics but in the hearts and minds of the contestants that this rivalry keeps burning.
Rivalry Week: Ateneo vs. La Salle
(Author's note: This article first appeared at The Philippine Online Chronicles)
The battle between green and blue. Taft versus Katipunan. Archers vs. Eagles. How ever you may say it, it's the age-old rivalry between the De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) in the men's basketball tournament.
vs
This is most anticipated matchup in the UAAP calendar, one that sells out tickets to its game within minutes of selling them at the Araneta Coliseum box office. This game is considered as a scalper's payday when they make people pay more than the face value of the ticket just to have a glimpse of these two teams slugging it out for no more than bragging rights. Alumni and students from both schools come out and show their support during the games. Legends are born and heroes emerge.
Arguably one of the oldest rivalries in the Philippine sports world, it curiously did not start in the sport of basketball. The rivalry started in football, where the sport was popular during the pre-war period until the 1950s, when basketball took over soon after. The times may have changed and so do the participants, but the institutions and the history still live on to this very day.
Formation: The NCAA days (1924-1978)
In 1924, a group of schools founded the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Two of those founder schools were the then-De La Salle College and the Ateneo de Manila University. At this time, these two teams were not as strong as their other NCAA counterparts and would not meet in the championship round until more than a decade later.
In the championship round of 1938, these two teams met with the Ateneo Blue Eagles being heavily favored over the De La Salle Green Archers. In a shocking upset, DLSC won over the heavily favored Ateneo team with a final score of 27-23.
In the victory parade that followed, legend has it that the Lasallian students threw fried chicken when the parade passed by the then-Padre Faura campus gates of Ateneo, which drew the ire of the Ateneans. This event supposedly marks the start of a bitter feud that continues on up to today. It must be noted though that these two institutions once exclusively admitted only boys (mostly from affluent families), so the rivalry may also have rooted in the fact that students from these schools wanted bragging rights over the other when their team comes out on top.
It took 20 years for both squads to meet each other again in the final round of 1958, where Ateneo won in the rematch in an overtime thriller, 105-103. 1974 marked the final time these two would meet, where La Salle won, 90-70.
These two teams once competed in a dual meet that took place twice before World War II and once in the early 1950s. The winner got to take home the President Quezon trophy, while the loser got to take home the Calabasa trophy. De La Salle College won the series, 2-1.
Massive violence during and after the games inside and outside the playing venues forced Ateneo to withdraw from the league in 1978, while an all-out brawl in the stands during a game versus Letran marked the exodus of La Salle from the NCAA.
Overall, the Blue Eagles won 14 NCAA basketball crowns, while the Green Archers won only five. However, in their head-to-head match-up in the championship rounds, La Salle won the series 2-1.
Reloaded: The UAAP years (1986-present)
After Ateneo withdrew from the NCAA in 1978, their application to play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) was immediately accepted. However, La Salle's application was rejected by Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas. La Salle was eventually accepted into the league and started play in 1986.
After nearly a decade of dormancy, the two teams finally met again, but this time in the UAAP. It took another two years in the league for the teams to match up again in the championship, where the Blue Eagles handily defeated the Green Archers, 75-66.
In the 1990s, the Katipunan-based squad suffered through a decade of futility, while the Taft-based cagers went through the ups and downs and the bitter setback of bridesmaid finishes to UST. But late in the decade, they won three straight championships between 1998-2000, before setting up another showdown with Ateneo in 2001.
In their first finals matchup since 1988, their showdown in 2001 was an exciting one, with games ending with a slim average of five points as a margin of victory for either side. In the end, DLSU won the series 2-1. With this victory, the Green Archers won their fourth straight championship and avenged their 1988 championship defeat. The following year in 2002, the two arranged a rematch in the championship round. This time around, Ateneo won their first UAAP men's basketball title in 14 years and stopped DLSU's championship streak.
From 2003 to 2005, the two teams met in the Final Four round, with DLSU taking two out of three match-ups. Both teams eventually lost to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in 2003 (AdMU) and 2005 (DLSU) after advancing to the championship round, while DLSU eventually won the title in 2004.
In 2006, the Green Archers were suspended from playing in the UAAP after admitting it had fielded two ineligible players from 2003 to 2005. In effect, the Green Archers forfeited all of their games during that period, including their 2004 championship and their 2005 runner-up trophy.
With the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors sweeping the 2007 season and AdMU tying DLSU for second place in the team standings, the two teams met in a knockout game for the twice to beat advantage in the Step Ladder format for the right to meet UE in the championship round. DLSU won the tiebreaker and AdMU was forced to meet UST in a knockout match thereafter. After disposing of UST, AdMU took away DLSU's twice to beat advantage in their fourth meeting of the season. In the fifth and final meeting between the two in the season, DLSU emerged victorious and seemingly "defied the laws of mathematics" by winning two out of the five match-ups in the season and yet advancing to the final round. Eventually, the Green Archers swept the then-undefeated Red Warriors in the championship.
The next year, the two teams met for the fourth time in the 2008 UAAP Finals. However, Ateneo proved to be the better team by sweeping the Green Archers and winning their fourth title. During this year as well, these two teams met in the finals of the Philippine Collegiate Championship, where the DLSU Green Archers defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles to win their second national crown. With the DLSU Green Archers failing to qualify for the Final Four in 2009, this marks the first time that these two teams failing to meet in post-season play since 2001 (excluding the 2006 DLSU suspension).
As of 2009, the De La Salle Green Archers has won more championships (7) in the UAAP, as compared to Ateneo Blue Eagles (5). Head-to-head, however, the Blue Eagles lead the series 3-1.
So, who comes out on top?
If we count the NCAA, UAAP, and National Intercollegiate/Philippine Collegiate Championship titles, the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles would have more titles than DLSU with a count of 21-14. However, in all of their head-to-head championship meetings, the series is tied at 4-4. So, another meeting in the championship for the two may perhaps decide who is the better team. But with the endless debate on which championships count in this rivalry, we will somehow never know which team emerges over the other. But one thing is for sure, this old adage remains true and alive:
"Matalo lang sa iba, wag lang sa Ateneo..." ("Just lose to others, but not to Ateneo.")
Or La Salle, depending on which side you're on.
The battle between green and blue. Taft versus Katipunan. Archers vs. Eagles. How ever you may say it, it's the age-old rivalry between the De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) in the men's basketball tournament.
vsThis is most anticipated matchup in the UAAP calendar, one that sells out tickets to its game within minutes of selling them at the Araneta Coliseum box office. This game is considered as a scalper's payday when they make people pay more than the face value of the ticket just to have a glimpse of these two teams slugging it out for no more than bragging rights. Alumni and students from both schools come out and show their support during the games. Legends are born and heroes emerge.
Arguably one of the oldest rivalries in the Philippine sports world, it curiously did not start in the sport of basketball. The rivalry started in football, where the sport was popular during the pre-war period until the 1950s, when basketball took over soon after. The times may have changed and so do the participants, but the institutions and the history still live on to this very day.
Formation: The NCAA days (1924-1978)
In 1924, a group of schools founded the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Two of those founder schools were the then-De La Salle College and the Ateneo de Manila University. At this time, these two teams were not as strong as their other NCAA counterparts and would not meet in the championship round until more than a decade later.
In the championship round of 1938, these two teams met with the Ateneo Blue Eagles being heavily favored over the De La Salle Green Archers. In a shocking upset, DLSC won over the heavily favored Ateneo team with a final score of 27-23.
In the victory parade that followed, legend has it that the Lasallian students threw fried chicken when the parade passed by the then-Padre Faura campus gates of Ateneo, which drew the ire of the Ateneans. This event supposedly marks the start of a bitter feud that continues on up to today. It must be noted though that these two institutions once exclusively admitted only boys (mostly from affluent families), so the rivalry may also have rooted in the fact that students from these schools wanted bragging rights over the other when their team comes out on top.
It took 20 years for both squads to meet each other again in the final round of 1958, where Ateneo won in the rematch in an overtime thriller, 105-103. 1974 marked the final time these two would meet, where La Salle won, 90-70.
These two teams once competed in a dual meet that took place twice before World War II and once in the early 1950s. The winner got to take home the President Quezon trophy, while the loser got to take home the Calabasa trophy. De La Salle College won the series, 2-1.
Massive violence during and after the games inside and outside the playing venues forced Ateneo to withdraw from the league in 1978, while an all-out brawl in the stands during a game versus Letran marked the exodus of La Salle from the NCAA.
Overall, the Blue Eagles won 14 NCAA basketball crowns, while the Green Archers won only five. However, in their head-to-head match-up in the championship rounds, La Salle won the series 2-1.
Reloaded: The UAAP years (1986-present)
After Ateneo withdrew from the NCAA in 1978, their application to play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) was immediately accepted. However, La Salle's application was rejected by Ateneo and University of Santo Tomas. La Salle was eventually accepted into the league and started play in 1986.
After nearly a decade of dormancy, the two teams finally met again, but this time in the UAAP. It took another two years in the league for the teams to match up again in the championship, where the Blue Eagles handily defeated the Green Archers, 75-66.
In the 1990s, the Katipunan-based squad suffered through a decade of futility, while the Taft-based cagers went through the ups and downs and the bitter setback of bridesmaid finishes to UST. But late in the decade, they won three straight championships between 1998-2000, before setting up another showdown with Ateneo in 2001.
In their first finals matchup since 1988, their showdown in 2001 was an exciting one, with games ending with a slim average of five points as a margin of victory for either side. In the end, DLSU won the series 2-1. With this victory, the Green Archers won their fourth straight championship and avenged their 1988 championship defeat. The following year in 2002, the two arranged a rematch in the championship round. This time around, Ateneo won their first UAAP men's basketball title in 14 years and stopped DLSU's championship streak.
From 2003 to 2005, the two teams met in the Final Four round, with DLSU taking two out of three match-ups. Both teams eventually lost to the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in 2003 (AdMU) and 2005 (DLSU) after advancing to the championship round, while DLSU eventually won the title in 2004.
In 2006, the Green Archers were suspended from playing in the UAAP after admitting it had fielded two ineligible players from 2003 to 2005. In effect, the Green Archers forfeited all of their games during that period, including their 2004 championship and their 2005 runner-up trophy.
With the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors sweeping the 2007 season and AdMU tying DLSU for second place in the team standings, the two teams met in a knockout game for the twice to beat advantage in the Step Ladder format for the right to meet UE in the championship round. DLSU won the tiebreaker and AdMU was forced to meet UST in a knockout match thereafter. After disposing of UST, AdMU took away DLSU's twice to beat advantage in their fourth meeting of the season. In the fifth and final meeting between the two in the season, DLSU emerged victorious and seemingly "defied the laws of mathematics" by winning two out of the five match-ups in the season and yet advancing to the final round. Eventually, the Green Archers swept the then-undefeated Red Warriors in the championship.
The next year, the two teams met for the fourth time in the 2008 UAAP Finals. However, Ateneo proved to be the better team by sweeping the Green Archers and winning their fourth title. During this year as well, these two teams met in the finals of the Philippine Collegiate Championship, where the DLSU Green Archers defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles to win their second national crown. With the DLSU Green Archers failing to qualify for the Final Four in 2009, this marks the first time that these two teams failing to meet in post-season play since 2001 (excluding the 2006 DLSU suspension).
As of 2009, the De La Salle Green Archers has won more championships (7) in the UAAP, as compared to Ateneo Blue Eagles (5). Head-to-head, however, the Blue Eagles lead the series 3-1.
So, who comes out on top?
If we count the NCAA, UAAP, and National Intercollegiate/Philippine Collegiate Championship titles, the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles would have more titles than DLSU with a count of 21-14. However, in all of their head-to-head championship meetings, the series is tied at 4-4. So, another meeting in the championship for the two may perhaps decide who is the better team. But with the endless debate on which championships count in this rivalry, we will somehow never know which team emerges over the other. But one thing is for sure, this old adage remains true and alive:
"Matalo lang sa iba, wag lang sa Ateneo..." ("Just lose to others, but not to Ateneo.")
Or La Salle, depending on which side you're on.
In Brief (12-17-2010): Lakers trade Vujacic, 'Azkals' fall short in AFF semi-finals first leg
Lakers trade Vujacic, receive former 1st overall pick Smith
In a trade that was finalized on December 15th, the Los Angeles Lakers have traded away seldom-used guard Sasha Vujacic and their first round pick in 2011 to the New Jersey Nets in a three-team trade that also involved the Houston Rockets.
In exchange, the Lakers receive journeyman forward/center Joe Smith, a pair of second round picks (2011 - via Golden State, 2012 - via Chicago), and the draft rights to Ukranian Sergei Lishchuk.
Lishchuk was part of the Ukranian national team and was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2004, and is currently playing for Spanish pro club Valencia.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Nets sent troubled 2009 11th overall selection Terrence Williams to the Houston Rockets for a 2012 first-round draft pick (via New York).
In essence, the Nets are stocking up on draft selections in order to get into the thick of the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes. The Lakers sought to dump barely used Sasha Vujacic's expiring contract for luxury tax relief and another big man that would deepen their frontline, following Theo Ratliff's injury. The Rockets dumped the Knicks' quickly devaluing first round pick for a talented (but troubled) player in Williams.
'Azkals' lose to Indonesia in first leg of AFF Cup semis
The Philippine national team, affectionately known as the 'Azkals', conceeded a goal off a crucial communication error in the 30" and went on to lose by a scoreline of 1-0 to Indonesia in front of a hostile crowd in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Thursday night for their 2010 AFF-Suzuki Cup semi-final series.
A miscommunication between goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and defender Ray Jonsson resulted in a goal by naturalized Uruguay-born player Kristian Gonzalez. Although the Philippine XI had various chances within the penalty area throughout the match, they failed to convert their chances thanks to the tight Indonesian defense.
For this matchup, the away goals rule has been waived, due to the rare "away-and-away" situation that the Philippines is experiencing. This means that the Philippines needs to shut out the red and white shirts by two goals in order to go through to the final round, where the winner of this series will face either Vietnam or Malaysia.
In related news, Philippine Football Federation media bureau chief Rick Olivares announced that the Philippines will host the 2012 edition of the AFF Cup. Details have not been released but it is a promising development for the growth of the sport in the northern regions of the country, where basketball has been the dominant sport.
It must be noted that football is popular in the southern regions of the Philippines, specially around Bukidnon, Bacolod, and Iloilo.
The second leg will be held on Sunday night, also in Jakarta.
In a trade that was finalized on December 15th, the Los Angeles Lakers have traded away seldom-used guard Sasha Vujacic and their first round pick in 2011 to the New Jersey Nets in a three-team trade that also involved the Houston Rockets.
In exchange, the Lakers receive journeyman forward/center Joe Smith, a pair of second round picks (2011 - via Golden State, 2012 - via Chicago), and the draft rights to Ukranian Sergei Lishchuk.
Lishchuk was part of the Ukranian national team and was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2004, and is currently playing for Spanish pro club Valencia.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Nets sent troubled 2009 11th overall selection Terrence Williams to the Houston Rockets for a 2012 first-round draft pick (via New York).
In essence, the Nets are stocking up on draft selections in order to get into the thick of the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes. The Lakers sought to dump barely used Sasha Vujacic's expiring contract for luxury tax relief and another big man that would deepen their frontline, following Theo Ratliff's injury. The Rockets dumped the Knicks' quickly devaluing first round pick for a talented (but troubled) player in Williams.
'Azkals' lose to Indonesia in first leg of AFF Cup semis
The Philippine national team, affectionately known as the 'Azkals', conceeded a goal off a crucial communication error in the 30" and went on to lose by a scoreline of 1-0 to Indonesia in front of a hostile crowd in the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Thursday night for their 2010 AFF-Suzuki Cup semi-final series.
A miscommunication between goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and defender Ray Jonsson resulted in a goal by naturalized Uruguay-born player Kristian Gonzalez. Although the Philippine XI had various chances within the penalty area throughout the match, they failed to convert their chances thanks to the tight Indonesian defense.
For this matchup, the away goals rule has been waived, due to the rare "away-and-away" situation that the Philippines is experiencing. This means that the Philippines needs to shut out the red and white shirts by two goals in order to go through to the final round, where the winner of this series will face either Vietnam or Malaysia.
In related news, Philippine Football Federation media bureau chief Rick Olivares announced that the Philippines will host the 2012 edition of the AFF Cup. Details have not been released but it is a promising development for the growth of the sport in the northern regions of the country, where basketball has been the dominant sport.
It must be noted that football is popular in the southern regions of the Philippines, specially around Bukidnon, Bacolod, and Iloilo.
The second leg will be held on Sunday night, also in Jakarta.
About "One For The Team"
Oh hi there.
I don't know how you got here or how you found out about this, but welcome to One For The Team.
Let me introduce myself: I am Diego de la Paz, a writer for various news organizations, most notably as the current sports editor of the fledging FullCourtFresh.com and as a contributing writer for The Philippine Online Chronicles.
Before entering my current profession as ahired writing mercenary sportswriter, I completed my tertiary education in De La Salle University with a degree program of Bachelor of Arts in Sports Studies.
During my four years (and one term...and no, it didn't mean that it took FIVE years for me to complete my studies, thankyouverymuch.) in that famous Taft campus, I donned the green and white colors as a member of the Track and Field team and participated in the following events: 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles and high jump.
I competed in various meets representing DLSU and/or TMS Ship most notably in the 68th UAAP, 2006 UniGames (Bacolod), National Open Invitational Track and Field Championships (2005 and 2006) and the PATAFA Weekly Relays.
For my On-the-job training (OJT), I worked with the Philippine Football Federation, the national governing body for the sport of football in the Philippines.
Other than track and field, other sports that I have once competitively taken part in are the following: swimming, basketball, tennis, and football.
As of this writing, I follow/support the following teams:
Basketball: San Beda College (NCAA), De La Salle University (UAAP), AirAsia Philippine Patriots (ABL), Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Football: Philippine national team (Azkals)
Why "One For The Team"
Why not?
In team sports (or any team activity), there will always be opportunities that we would have to do something that may be extraordinary in nature that most people would not feel like doing but must be done in order for the team to succeed, ergo "taking one for the team."
Taking previous experiences as an athlete in various disciplines into consideration, I was tasked to "take one for the team" and the mentality stuck.
Hence, here we are now.
Once again, I would like to welcome you to my blog, One For The Team. I hope you would enjoy my anecdotes, mostly about Philippine sports.
I don't know how you got here or how you found out about this, but welcome to One For The Team.
Let me introduce myself: I am Diego de la Paz, a writer for various news organizations, most notably as the current sports editor of the fledging FullCourtFresh.com and as a contributing writer for The Philippine Online Chronicles.
Before entering my current profession as a
During my four years (and one term...and no, it didn't mean that it took FIVE years for me to complete my studies, thankyouverymuch.) in that famous Taft campus, I donned the green and white colors as a member of the Track and Field team and participated in the following events: 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles and high jump.
I competed in various meets representing DLSU and/or TMS Ship most notably in the 68th UAAP, 2006 UniGames (Bacolod), National Open Invitational Track and Field Championships (2005 and 2006) and the PATAFA Weekly Relays.
For my On-the-job training (OJT), I worked with the Philippine Football Federation, the national governing body for the sport of football in the Philippines.
Other than track and field, other sports that I have once competitively taken part in are the following: swimming, basketball, tennis, and football.
As of this writing, I follow/support the following teams:
Basketball: San Beda College (NCAA), De La Salle University (UAAP), AirAsia Philippine Patriots (ABL), Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Football: Philippine national team (Azkals)
Why "One For The Team"
Why not?
In team sports (or any team activity), there will always be opportunities that we would have to do something that may be extraordinary in nature that most people would not feel like doing but must be done in order for the team to succeed, ergo "taking one for the team."
Taking previous experiences as an athlete in various disciplines into consideration, I was tasked to "take one for the team" and the mentality stuck.
Hence, here we are now.
Once again, I would like to welcome you to my blog, One For The Team. I hope you would enjoy my anecdotes, mostly about Philippine sports.
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