UP repeats as UAAP Cheerdance champion

GMA NEWS:

The University of the Philippines Pep Squad used a Madonna-inspired theme to successfully defend its UAAP-Samsung Cheerdance Competition Saturday behind a packed crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

All members of the team sported Madonna's signature blonde locks and performed their six-minute routine in sync with some of the Queen of Pop's hits like "Like A Virgin" and "Four Minutes" in front of 20,842 people at The Big Dome.

They capped their solid performance with one of its members copying the famous UP Oblation to win the P340,000 top prize.

UP, which has won four of the last five cheerdance competitions, clinched its seventh overall crown to move closer of tying the eight titles by the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe.

La Salle's Animo Squad made a surprising podium finish when it placed second while the Far Eastern U Cheering Squad, which foiled UP's three-peat title bid in 2009, finished third.

La Salle and FEU pocketed P200,000 and P140,00 each. The scores were not made public by the UAAP.

Laurence Martin Bautista, co-captain of the UP Pep Squad, said that the Madonna-look was inspired by the personality of the team.

"Madonna is known for always reinventing herself and we can identify to her," said Bautista. "Our goal is to reach as much people as we can. Madonna is so popular and we know that with our routine, we inspired a lot of people."

"I think our edge was we presented a clean routine but very challenging," added Bautista, who shares the captain role with Kathleen Anne Madrigal.

The Animo Squad had a warrior-like theme with Aiana Lontoc staying in character and finished her performance despite dislocating her left arm.

"We only knew that she was injured at the end our performance. She cried when she learned that we won," said Animo Squad team captain Harriette Mauricio.

Ruf Vandolph Rosario, who led the University of Perpetual Help Cheering Squad to the 2010 NCAA cheerdance crown, coached the La Salle Animo Squad.

FEU equaled its third-place finish last season with its Bollywood theme.

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Information Courtesy of GMA News / REUBEN TERRADO

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UP repeats as UAAP Cheerdance champion

GMA NEWS:

The University of the Philippines Pep Squad used a Madonna-inspired theme to successfully defend its UAAP-Samsung Cheerdance Competition Saturday behind a packed crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

All members of the team sported Madonna's signature blonde locks and performed their six-minute routine in sync with some of the Queen of Pop's hits like "Like A Virgin" and "Four Minutes" in front of 20,842 people at The Big Dome.

They capped their solid performance with one of its members copying the famous UP Oblation to win the P340,000 top prize.

UP, which has won four of the last five cheerdance competitions, clinched its seventh overall crown to move closer of tying the eight titles by the University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe.

La Salle's Animo Squad made a surprising podium finish when it placed second while the Far Eastern U Cheering Squad, which foiled UP's three-peat title bid in 2009, finished third.

La Salle and FEU pocketed P200,000 and P140,00 each. The scores were not made public by the UAAP.

Laurence Martin Bautista, co-captain of the UP Pep Squad, said that the Madonna-look was inspired by the personality of the team.

"Madonna is known for always reinventing herself and we can identify to her," said Bautista. "Our goal is to reach as much people as we can. Madonna is so popular and we know that with our routine, we inspired a lot of people."

"I think our edge was we presented a clean routine but very challenging," added Bautista, who shares the captain role with Kathleen Anne Madrigal.

The Animo Squad had a warrior-like theme with Aiana Lontoc staying in character and finished her performance despite dislocating her left arm.

"We only knew that she was injured at the end our performance. She cried when she learned that we won," said Animo Squad team captain Harriette Mauricio.

Ruf Vandolph Rosario, who led the University of Perpetual Help Cheering Squad to the 2010 NCAA cheerdance crown, coached the La Salle Animo Squad.

FEU equaled its third-place finish last season with its Bollywood theme.

CONTINUE READING FROM ORIGINAL [SOURCE] 
Information Courtesy of GMA News / REUBEN TERRADO

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In cheerdance, UP is at the top of the heap

GMA NEWS:

At seven in the evening, on the way to the University of the Philippines gym, one is reminded of why the place is called Diliman. It is so dark that with an overactive imagination, one might simply turn back and miss seeing the gym, which unlike the rest of the campus at this hour, is brightly lit and bustling with activity.

The gym is home to the university's athletes, including the multi-awarded UP Pep Squad. The team spends so much time at the gym that they could probably make their way there with their eyes closed. It's the kind of devotion that produces championships.

The UP Pep Squad is the defending UAAP cheerdance champion, rehearsing tirelessly for this Saturday's UAAP competition, now nearly as popular in the league as basketball. On UP Diliman's campus, where the Fighting Maroons hoops team hasn't won a title since the 1980s, cheerdance commands a fervent following, with UP students lining up for hours at the Big Dome this week for tickets.

Six-time UAAP champions, the UP Pep Squad will represent the Philippines in the 6th World Cheerleading Championships November 26 and 27 in Hong Kong.

They represented the country in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea and in the 2008 Asian Cheerleading Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Playful vibe, intense training

On Wednesday night, only a few days before the highly anticipated cheerdance competition, the team piles out of a convoy of cars, one bottle blonde head after another.

The fact that they are a unit is impossible to miss, and it isn't just because of their matching hair. The energy they give off is intense, and one can't help but be intimidated. They flow across the gym to their assigned spot, a graceful line of sunshine-haired dancers, and immediately set to work, warming up. Even if they're just stretching, you know they mean business.

Despite their seriousness, there's also a playful vibe, and you can tell that the members' closeness goes beyond their routines.

It's not surprising, considering their demanding training schedule. The team practices daily for at least three hours, and since they end way past dinner time, the members often grab a bite together before finally heading home.

"It's really hard at first, talagang ma-shoshock ka na six to eleven or six to twelve yung training. Kapag competition time, sobrang late na kami natatapos," says Laurence, the team's co-captain.

Many if not most of the members have been on the squad for as long as they've been enrolled. Despite the heavy schedule and the constant challenges, they wouldn't have it any other way.

CONTINUE READING FROM ORIGINAL [SOURCE] 
Information Courtesy of GMA News / CARMELA G. LAPEÑA

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In cheerdance, UP is at the top of the heap

GMA NEWS:

At seven in the evening, on the way to the University of the Philippines gym, one is reminded of why the place is called Diliman. It is so dark that with an overactive imagination, one might simply turn back and miss seeing the gym, which unlike the rest of the campus at this hour, is brightly lit and bustling with activity.

The gym is home to the university's athletes, including the multi-awarded UP Pep Squad. The team spends so much time at the gym that they could probably make their way there with their eyes closed. It's the kind of devotion that produces championships.

The UP Pep Squad is the defending UAAP cheerdance champion, rehearsing tirelessly for this Saturday's UAAP competition, now nearly as popular in the league as basketball. On UP Diliman's campus, where the Fighting Maroons hoops team hasn't won a title since the 1980s, cheerdance commands a fervent following, with UP students lining up for hours at the Big Dome this week for tickets.

Six-time UAAP champions, the UP Pep Squad will represent the Philippines in the 6th World Cheerleading Championships November 26 and 27 in Hong Kong.

They represented the country in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea and in the 2008 Asian Cheerleading Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

Playful vibe, intense training

On Wednesday night, only a few days before the highly anticipated cheerdance competition, the team piles out of a convoy of cars, one bottle blonde head after another.

The fact that they are a unit is impossible to miss, and it isn't just because of their matching hair. The energy they give off is intense, and one can't help but be intimidated. They flow across the gym to their assigned spot, a graceful line of sunshine-haired dancers, and immediately set to work, warming up. Even if they're just stretching, you know they mean business.

Despite their seriousness, there's also a playful vibe, and you can tell that the members' closeness goes beyond their routines.

It's not surprising, considering their demanding training schedule. The team practices daily for at least three hours, and since they end way past dinner time, the members often grab a bite together before finally heading home.

"It's really hard at first, talagang ma-shoshock ka na six to eleven or six to twelve yung training. Kapag competition time, sobrang late na kami natatapos," says Laurence, the team's co-captain.

Many if not most of the members have been on the squad for as long as they've been enrolled. Despite the heavy schedule and the constant challenges, they wouldn't have it any other way.

CONTINUE READING FROM ORIGINAL [SOURCE] 
Information Courtesy of GMA News / CARMELA G. LAPEÑA

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Ateneo Star Kiefer Ravena: Soaring High

MST:

ATENEO Blue Eagles maintained their supremacy at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball leader board this 74th season, after thromping off with their 13th straight win for the second round, with a 61-39 demolition of the National University Bulldogs last Saturday at the Big Dome.

The Loyola Heights-based team moved into the finals straight away, with a thrice-to-beat advantage against whoever will survive the semifinals stepladder. Although everything seems to be well in the Blue Eagles’ mission to claim their fourth consecutive championship trophy this year, Kiefer Ravena says this is no excuse for them to rest on their laurels.

“We still got a lot of work to do,” the 6-footer shooting guard who wears jersey no. 15 begins. “The toughest teams for us to guard are Adamson [Falcons] and FEU [Tamaraws] because they are very talented. The hardest one for me to guard is RR Garcia of FEU. He is steady, a veteran and [also] the reigning MVP at UAAP. But the [toughest] player who guarded me was Simon Atkins of La Salle, he’s strong, fast and very intelligent in playing defense.”

“The Phenom,” “The Kid with the Million Moves,” “Blue Mamba” and “Must-See Blue Eagle” are just some of the monikers given to the 17-year-old rookie who, according to Eagles Norman Black, already plays like a pro. He can average between 20 and 25 points per game. And with his 62.00 score in statistical points, he is also in the running for the Most Valuable Player award. But does Ravena feel the pressure of living up to all the people’s expectations?

“[Well] I just play. I don’t look at the score or anything. I just play with my capabilities. Apart from the ‘technical stuff’ that our coaches always remind us, you must learn how to strategize things—what place do you run, what kind of defense do we play against the opponent. [When I am] on court, I just feel myself, I let the game come to me. But I really have to perform. It is [actually] more of preparing yourself mentally and blocking all those pressures.

“When it comes to crunch time, I like the situation of being there. Not a lot of people are getting the opportunity to stay [there], when there’s an adrenaline rush. Potentially, I want to be that kind of player, someone who can close out games—who can win games! If we can defeat them, we might as well defeat them straight away.”

Ravena also revealed the Blue Eagles’ “classic recipe” for success this season: team chemistry. “We’re okay now, we have the time to really blend with each other—to really go out and play as a team. What you can see now, everything is going well. As one player goes down, everyone takes a step back. It’s a team game, everyone has to know the rules, play their rules and find their spots on the court. It’s pretty much a big deal with everyone.”

CONTINUE READING FROM ORIGINAL [SOURCE] 
Information Courtesy of Manila Standard Today / Giovanni Paolo J. Yazon

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Ateneo Star Kiefer Ravena: Soaring High

MST:

ATENEO Blue Eagles maintained their supremacy at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball leader board this 74th season, after thromping off with their 13th straight win for the second round, with a 61-39 demolition of the National University Bulldogs last Saturday at the Big Dome.

The Loyola Heights-based team moved into the finals straight away, with a thrice-to-beat advantage against whoever will survive the semifinals stepladder. Although everything seems to be well in the Blue Eagles’ mission to claim their fourth consecutive championship trophy this year, Kiefer Ravena says this is no excuse for them to rest on their laurels.

“We still got a lot of work to do,” the 6-footer shooting guard who wears jersey no. 15 begins. “The toughest teams for us to guard are Adamson [Falcons] and FEU [Tamaraws] because they are very talented. The hardest one for me to guard is RR Garcia of FEU. He is steady, a veteran and [also] the reigning MVP at UAAP. But the [toughest] player who guarded me was Simon Atkins of La Salle, he’s strong, fast and very intelligent in playing defense.”

“The Phenom,” “The Kid with the Million Moves,” “Blue Mamba” and “Must-See Blue Eagle” are just some of the monikers given to the 17-year-old rookie who, according to Eagles Norman Black, already plays like a pro. He can average between 20 and 25 points per game. And with his 62.00 score in statistical points, he is also in the running for the Most Valuable Player award. But does Ravena feel the pressure of living up to all the people’s expectations?

“[Well] I just play. I don’t look at the score or anything. I just play with my capabilities. Apart from the ‘technical stuff’ that our coaches always remind us, you must learn how to strategize things—what place do you run, what kind of defense do we play against the opponent. [When I am] on court, I just feel myself, I let the game come to me. But I really have to perform. It is [actually] more of preparing yourself mentally and blocking all those pressures.

“When it comes to crunch time, I like the situation of being there. Not a lot of people are getting the opportunity to stay [there], when there’s an adrenaline rush. Potentially, I want to be that kind of player, someone who can close out games—who can win games! If we can defeat them, we might as well defeat them straight away.”

Ravena also revealed the Blue Eagles’ “classic recipe” for success this season: team chemistry. “We’re okay now, we have the time to really blend with each other—to really go out and play as a team. What you can see now, everything is going well. As one player goes down, everyone takes a step back. It’s a team game, everyone has to know the rules, play their rules and find their spots on the court. It’s pretty much a big deal with everyone.”

CONTINUE READING FROM ORIGINAL [SOURCE] 
Information Courtesy of Manila Standard Today / Giovanni Paolo J. Yazon

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La Salle's season was over even before it ended

GMA NEWS:

With just two minutes left in the game between De La Salle University and National University, the TV panel statistician handed Aaron Atayde a piece of paper. Atayde covered the game as a broadcaster. Beside him, Luigi Trillo observed the game as a television analyst.

Together, as a broadcast team, they discussed La Salle's chances of making the Final Four. Even before the game started, Atayde and Trillo knew it wasn't going to be easy. When Atayde read the hastily scribbled notes on the piece of paper, he concluded it was going to be impossible.

Atayde and Trillo are from La Salle. I am from Ateneo. We can't change the color of our schools any more than we can change the color of our eyes. Some might expect me to laugh at La Salle's woes. Some might think I enjoyed listening to Atayde and Trillo pretend they weren't pounding the table when Kyle Neypes made basket after basket in NU's lethal late-game surge. I'm kidding.

Atayde is a pro. Trillo has delicadeza. They didn't gripe on-air. But I felt their disappointment. For I was too. Sincerely. They're from Sparta. I'm from Athens. Even as Sparta burned, I didn't rejoice. I was too stunned.

"There was tremendous pressure on DLSU to win this game," Trillo shared. "And NU played great transition defense. NU just swarmed all game."

Credible people swore La Salle was strong. I agreed. Revilla, Atkins, Vosotros, Tampus, and Marata scampered like ninjas on the court. The combined height and wingspan of Van Opstal, Torres, Paredes, Andrada, Mendoza, and Gotladera could dwarf most PBA D-League teams.

But what Atayde saw on a sheet of paper in the dying moments of La Salle's penultimate game revealed what plagued the Archers all-season long: DLSU's last FG 7:01 Maui Villanueva. In their most crucial fourth quarter of the season, against a team that wouldn't make it to the Final Four, the Archers couldn't score.

"When the statistician gave me the sheet that said La Salle hasn't made a field goal in the last five minutes, I knew it was over," Atayde admitted. "That's when I said to myself I had to prepare for the end."

Maybe players didn't mix with the system. Maybe the system needed to adjust to players. Maybe coach Dindo Pumaren needed both system and players to co-exist. Maybe the whole team was in a shooting slump.

CONTINUE READING FROM ORIGINAL [SOURCE] 
Information Courtesy of GMA News / MICO HALILI

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La Salle's season was over even before it ended

GMA NEWS:

With just two minutes left in the game between De La Salle University and National University, the TV panel statistician handed Aaron Atayde a piece of paper. Atayde covered the game as a broadcaster. Beside him, Luigi Trillo observed the game as a television analyst.

Together, as a broadcast team, they discussed La Salle's chances of making the Final Four. Even before the game started, Atayde and Trillo knew it wasn't going to be easy. When Atayde read the hastily scribbled notes on the piece of paper, he concluded it was going to be impossible.

Atayde and Trillo are from La Salle. I am from Ateneo. We can't change the color of our schools any more than we can change the color of our eyes. Some might expect me to laugh at La Salle's woes. Some might think I enjoyed listening to Atayde and Trillo pretend they weren't pounding the table when Kyle Neypes made basket after basket in NU's lethal late-game surge. I'm kidding.

Atayde is a pro. Trillo has delicadeza. They didn't gripe on-air. But I felt their disappointment. For I was too. Sincerely. They're from Sparta. I'm from Athens. Even as Sparta burned, I didn't rejoice. I was too stunned.

"There was tremendous pressure on DLSU to win this game," Trillo shared. "And NU played great transition defense. NU just swarmed all game."

Credible people swore La Salle was strong. I agreed. Revilla, Atkins, Vosotros, Tampus, and Marata scampered like ninjas on the court. The combined height and wingspan of Van Opstal, Torres, Paredes, Andrada, Mendoza, and Gotladera could dwarf most PBA D-League teams.

But what Atayde saw on a sheet of paper in the dying moments of La Salle's penultimate game revealed what plagued the Archers all-season long: DLSU's last FG 7:01 Maui Villanueva. In their most crucial fourth quarter of the season, against a team that wouldn't make it to the Final Four, the Archers couldn't score.

"When the statistician gave me the sheet that said La Salle hasn't made a field goal in the last five minutes, I knew it was over," Atayde admitted. "That's when I said to myself I had to prepare for the end."

Maybe players didn't mix with the system. Maybe the system needed to adjust to players. Maybe coach Dindo Pumaren needed both system and players to co-exist. Maybe the whole team was in a shooting slump.

CONTINUE READING FROM ORIGINAL [SOURCE] 
Information Courtesy of GMA News / MICO HALILI

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MOA Arena: The New Home of UAAP and NCAA

GMA NEWS:

The UAAP has followed suit with the NCAA as it will also hold majority of its games next season at the soon-to-be-finished SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

National University athletic director Junel Baculi, who will be the league's secretary-treasurer in 2012, said that next season's opening and the championship games of the men's basketball tournament will be held at the MOA Arena next year.

NU will host the 75th UAAP season next year.

The MOA Arena is expected to have a seating capacity of 16,000 to 20,000 people.

Baculi added that the UAAP will still hold selected games at the Araneta Coliseum depending on the Big Dome's availability.

"One thing definite is that will be opening the 75th season of the UAAP at the MOA Arena," Baculi said. "Were not abandoning the Araneta per se, we just want to highlight MOA because of our partnership."

NU last hosted the league in 2002 and held games at the Big Dome, Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the Makati Coliseum.

The NCAA has also entered into an agreement with the MOA Arena to hold its games at the new venue next season.

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Information Courtesy of GMA News

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MOA Arena: The New Home of UAAP and NCAA

GMA NEWS:

The UAAP has followed suit with the NCAA as it will also hold majority of its games next season at the soon-to-be-finished SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

National University athletic director Junel Baculi, who will be the league's secretary-treasurer in 2012, said that next season's opening and the championship games of the men's basketball tournament will be held at the MOA Arena next year.

NU will host the 75th UAAP season next year.

The MOA Arena is expected to have a seating capacity of 16,000 to 20,000 people.

Baculi added that the UAAP will still hold selected games at the Araneta Coliseum depending on the Big Dome's availability.

"One thing definite is that will be opening the 75th season of the UAAP at the MOA Arena," Baculi said. "Were not abandoning the Araneta per se, we just want to highlight MOA because of our partnership."

NU last hosted the league in 2002 and held games at the Big Dome, Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the Makati Coliseum.

The NCAA has also entered into an agreement with the MOA Arena to hold its games at the new venue next season.

CONTINUE READING FROM ORIGINAL [SOURCE] 
Information Courtesy of GMA News

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UAAP: Meet Ateneo Star Kiefer Ravena

SUN STAR:

Ateneo De Manila University’s blue-chip rookie Kiefer Ravena lived up to his lofty billing as he powered the defending champion a couple of times in the 74th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

Ravena is the son of volleyball player, Mozzy Ravena, and former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player, Bong Ravena.

Before his dashing performances against archrival De La Salle University and last year’s finalist Far Eastern University, the 17-year-old “Phenom” experienced a scoreless debut in their hard-earned victory against Adamson last July 10.

“I didn’t relax after that horrible first game. I took every practice seriously and make sure that I’m very competitive every game because as much as possible, we want to win every game,” he said.

And he did make up for his forgettable performance as he posted an average of 16.5 points, four rebounds, five assists and 2.5 steals this week to lead Ateneo’s path to a first round sweep (7-0).

With this effort, Ravena earned the ACCEL-3XVI UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Gatorade.

He totaled 18 points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal in a 66-53 victory over University of Santo Tomas last August 4.

In Sunday’s rematch of last season’s championship series, Ravena was again at the forefront of Ateneo’s 69-49 win over FEU after finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Ateneo finished the first round with an unblemished slate for the third time since the Final Four format was introduced in 1994. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

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Information Courtesy of Sun Star

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2011/08/08/son-ex-pba-cager-shines-uaap-171706

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UAAP: Meet Ateneo Star Kiefer Ravena

SUN STAR:

Ateneo De Manila University’s blue-chip rookie Kiefer Ravena lived up to his lofty billing as he powered the defending champion a couple of times in the 74th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

Ravena is the son of volleyball player, Mozzy Ravena, and former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player, Bong Ravena.

Before his dashing performances against archrival De La Salle University and last year’s finalist Far Eastern University, the 17-year-old “Phenom” experienced a scoreless debut in their hard-earned victory against Adamson last July 10.

“I didn’t relax after that horrible first game. I took every practice seriously and make sure that I’m very competitive every game because as much as possible, we want to win every game,” he said.

And he did make up for his forgettable performance as he posted an average of 16.5 points, four rebounds, five assists and 2.5 steals this week to lead Ateneo’s path to a first round sweep (7-0).

With this effort, Ravena earned the ACCEL-3XVI UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Gatorade.

He totaled 18 points, five rebounds, six assists and a steal in a 66-53 victory over University of Santo Tomas last August 4.

In Sunday’s rematch of last season’s championship series, Ravena was again at the forefront of Ateneo’s 69-49 win over FEU after finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one steal.

Ateneo finished the first round with an unblemished slate for the third time since the Final Four format was introduced in 1994. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

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Information Courtesy of Sun Star

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2011/08/08/son-ex-pba-cager-shines-uaap-171706

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