UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball

As the season goes on, teams should look back at the goals they set. Are you going for the championship or are you in a rebuilding phase? What is your system? Are you going for player development? The best way to motivate players aside from lovelife and family is by money. You play good in college you get hired as professionals playing the game you love and getting paid handsomely for it. I have devised a new substitution pattern. Every set is 25 points unless it gets extended so i play my starters from 0-10 points. The idea is for the subs to contribute in the important parts of the game so they should add to the lead or rally the deficit from points 11-16. The finishing lineup plays the points 17-25.

1. Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons

The Lady Falcons has to bank on Gemma Galanza's heroics to edge FEU yesterday. They are now at an even 1-1 slate. Good things happened when Mylene Paat was moved as MB to OPP her natural position. In fact Paat comes off the bench at Cignal to replace Jovelyn Gonzaga and she sometimes upstage her. But being a starting OPP is something Paat must work on. Soyud as fans claim can play the MB so Dacoron should take her under her wing and she'll be fine as substitute player. Anyway in my opinion a team needs 10 competitive players in their rotation. Lea-Ann Perez is undersized at the MB position but she has the skills. Drop balls. What does an MB do to drop balls? Work on reflexes. Help the MBs too. Emnas has done a good setting job. Permentilla should work on accuracy. Who else will step up for the Lady Falcons?

2. Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles

Bea de Leon the MB is today's Player of the Game in their first win. Her game is alright but she gets blocked a lot. She needs to read the defense and vary her attack. Aside from spiking, make floaters/lobs and sliced shots. Their MB2 Maddie Madayag is also a decent blocker. As i have said MBs should improve their reflex motions on the hands and feet. Refer to my twitter for the reflex trainer. Jhoana Louisse Maraguinot has not received enough passes yesterday. Probably that was the game plan. If not i'm calling you out Deanna Wong. It is okay to get blocked. When a teammate gets blocked the best leaders would let themselves get blocked, brushes it off and play again. Kat Tolentino is a tall OH which makes her a target of spikes. Which eases the burden on the libero Dani Ravena. I suggest you do 10,000 egg rolls. You know to get rid of vertigo. Jules Samonte is fearless. Ponggay Gaston is a spark on and off the bench - a role that she must always personify. Who else will defend the floor for the Lady Eagles?

3. De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers

I do not see any team in the league stopping DLSU. At least in the first round of the eliminations. They have ice water in their veins developed from their championship titles. This season Kim Kianna Dy looks to lead DLSU to another championship ring while Majoy Baron, Desiree Cheng, Aduke Ogunsanya and Tin Tiamzon provide the firepower. Dawn Macandili is her usual busybody self. Michelle Cobb should rise to the pressure of being the setter of the defending champions.

4. Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws

FEU looks good on paper but they need composure to gut it out with the better teams. Ha Bernadette Pons is magic. FEU's floor defense is holding up but they need to step up their blocking. Otherwise the floor defense can be overworked. They seem to have found the right combination. Chin Chin Basas, Negrito, Guinoo, Domingo and substitute players Cayuna.

5. National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs

Watch out for NU as their rotation becomes solid. I know its easy to look good against a lowly team like UE but games like this boosts your confidence. NU played not to lose against FEU and they lost. I would't say overconfident but they trying out new plays bringing in new players in the rotation. As it was Paran's absence in the first set has NU's defense wobbly. Drop shots after drop shots were dropped on them with Urdas and the bigs the primary targets. This said this was a welcome loss as NU will have time to address their weakness. Singh and Doromal need to step up to help Jaja Santiago, Jasmine Nabor, Sato, Paran, Urdas, Ponce and the rest.

6. University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses

UST playing without EJ Laure and the addition of OH Milena Alessandrini has them adjusting. They have short MBs Shannen Palec, Tin Francisco, Caitlyn Viray their best blocker. The disadvantage in that is their second, third, fourth jumps wouldn't be as high or as quick as their first jump. But if they summon their fighting spirit and timing that would even up the competition. Cherry Rondina is a scoring machine but she has to improve her defense - at the net and the floor defense. Carla Sandoval is a more defensive OPP but her offense needs to improve. Make floaters okay. Milena Alessandrini no doubt is a gem. Alina Bicar should take charge. Who knows one game can bring them back to their groove.

7. University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors

Shaya Adorador can hold his own as a starter for Generika. UE turns a new leaf with a new coach in Rod Roque. Outgoing Coach Francis Vicente would be invaluable as President of Volleyball Operations due to his savvy and knowledge. Me-ann Mendrez is the co-captain of this team. She should hit harder though. Their setter should set up the MBs as well so as to be unpredictable. I know Baliton is the captain playing as an MB now. But she is a trained setter. I'll play her as setter but she needs conditioning to get the lift for blocking and help in the floor defense too. Seth Rodriguez is their best MB while Mikaela Lopez should get the lift too. I'm glad Kat Arado has gotten her groove back. Judith Abil is a breath of fresh air. She needs variation in her attacks - spikes, floaters, you get the idea.

8. University of the Philippines (UP) lady Maroons

I'm impressed with UP on how they dig and receive during warmups so they just gotta get used to the pressure. Make heady plays on defense to pump the offense. Make heady plays on offense to pump the defense. Make it work. Tots Carlos needs to stop her jump serves to conserve her energy. The purpose of the serve is to score aces or to force easy overs. Her jump serve does not do that. Other than that Carlos is the most feared spiker this year. Speaking of serves Molde, Buitre and Layug has them scoring easy points. Their blocking needs improvement while they wait for Ramos.

Fantasy Volleyball

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen as discussed i have analyzed the stat sheets and i have come up with comments and suggestions. As you can see UST won over UE 3 sets to none 25-17, 25-15, 25-21. UST scored on 40 spikes, 6 blocks, 3 service points and 16 opponent errors for a total of 75 points while UE gets 27 spikes, 3 blocks, 7 service points and 16 opponent errors for a total of 53 points.

However the spikes and digs does not add up. UST has 105 Attempted Spikes as compared to UE's 107 Attempted Digs. That is why we have to break down the categories to balance the equations. These Spikes can be separated into Spikes that can be dug and Easy Overs that can be received. You dig the spikes. We consider the Serves as a Reception stat even though there are spike serves. So Easy Overs and Serves can be received. The block is unique in Volleyball that it is both an offensive and defensive move. Let us consider that you dig the blocks.

Spikes Made + Spikes Dug + Spiking Errors = Spikes Attempts.

Yes i used to burn the midnight oil in Fantasy Basketball that is why i want the same in Fantasy Volleyball. Those guys my main men Jim Park, Dennis Scott, Brent Barry, Topex Robinson, Goomboo and the Tumeke Club.

Easy Overs
Made + Received + Errors = Attempts

Serves Made + Received + Errors = Attempts

Blocks Made + Blocks Dug + Blocking Errors = Block Attempts

Digs, Receptions and Sets are non-point stats. We can call Excellent Sets simply as Assists.

NCAA Season 93 Women's Volleyball Individual Awards

In no particular order, the candidates are:

Best Middle Blocker

Lourdes Clemente, Mary Anne Esguerra, Andrea Marzan, Joyce Sta. Rita, Rachel Austero, Ranya Musa, Cesca Racraquin, Shyra Mae Umandal, Yvette Tongco

Best Outside Hitter

Klarisa Abriam, Nieza Viray, Regine Arocha, Necole Ebuen, Cindy Imbo

Best Opposite Hitter

Jiezela Viray, Karen Montojo, Jovielyn Prado, Nikka Dalisay, Daurene Santos, Bien Juanillo, Ladeisheen Magbanua

Best Setter

Pauline Cardiente

Best Libero

Sigrid Racraquin, Glyka Mariz Medina

Best Scorer

Shola Alvarez

Best Server
Nicole Frando
(I noticed that setters have the best service game)

Most likely to be drafted to the pros (the above mentioned players are given)

Faith Torres (basically the Letran team has potential), Marites Pablo, Hershey Llorente

*Of course there might be gems that i missed, wish the NCAA has a second round elamanations. I look forward to seeing these girls play again in pocket tournaments or in the PVL Collegiate Conference.

By pocket tournaments i mean schools can organize blitz tournaments in their locality. Say Letran, Mapua and Lyceum can battle for the Intramuros Cup. We the PLM do not have a team yet so they can invite teams across the Manila City Hall - Adamson, RTU, TUP and PNU. The Taft Volleyball Cup can include DLSU, CSB, PWU, PCU and so on. The Morayta Volleyball Club can include FEU, UE, UST, NU, JRU, AU, SBC, SSC, CEU, etcetera. The Diliman Cup can include UP, ADMU and NEU. They can invite San Lorenzo University to join. You get the idea.

Spotted PUP students watching the NCAA, they have a large student base i know. Did you know their Pangkat Kawayan musical group tours around the world to promote PUP and the Philippines? They are akin to special athletes.

Organizing The Philippine Leagues

Okay my opinion is that San Beda College should not join the UAAP or any other NCAA schools for that matter should not be conduits. Instead the leagues should strengthen themselves. As i have suggested an Elite Eight at the playoff rounds is more enticing as the winners go on to the Final Four. I know the UAAP has only eight member universities that is why they have to expand to at least ten. The University of Asia and the Pacific has long been rumored to join the club so why not next year? International schools will no doubt add spice to the UAAP, NCAA, NCRAA, UCBL, etc. Not to mention the Christian schools and public schools. Aside from the UA&P, i am curious whether these schools are up to UAAP standards - iAcademy, CIE British School, Enderun Colleges, Southville International School, Brent International School and Faith Academy. Notable foreign players who played in the UAAP are University of the Philippines' Robson Bornancin and Ateneo's Kirk Long. However they are not allowed to play in the PBA as they enforce Jus Sanguinis the law of the blood as opposed to Jus Soli the law of the soil. I wonder whether the new league Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League will the footsteps of the Metropolitan Basketball Association. The MBA has allowed foreigners who were born in the Philippines to play here re: Alex Compton, who played for a Division 1 NCAA School.  

Make Volleyball Great Again

I've seen volleyball action from the pros to the amateurs. The UAAP, AVC, PVL, PSL, NCAA and even the high schoolers in the Cherifer Volleyball Cup at the Robinson's Place Manila. So i gotta say i have developed in my mind prototype players in their respective positions. I wouldn't say height is an advantage but all things being equal a tall good team will beat a small good team.

Middle Blockers/Hitters should be six feet and more. Since they jump a lot, a smaller MB will be exhausted in all the jumping. So these MBs at the college level they can be converted when they turn pros.

Opposite Hitters should be explosive.

Open Hitters/Utility are the players in the two (2) position but OppH can also be utilities. The team benefits with the players' presence where it be offense or defense so the player rotates to the backrow seamlessly. In short they are well rounded players.

Setters should be able to assist. Others skills should be extra. Over time they develop floor defense, blocking and a serviceable serve.

Liberos can be good at receiving and digging that is why teams have two liberos. When one is off you try the other one.

Specialists are players skilled in a particular skill thus it is strategic when they are inserted as pinch hitters - backrow defender that is not a libero, monster blocker, service ace, etc.

This said i have suggestions to make the game more exciting:

1. Extend the setpoint from 25 to 30 ideally at the playoff rounds.

2. Let the players use props. Case in point, baseball players can hang in the overhang to catch the baseball and prevent a homerun. It can be dangerous i know when players can use the props as a springboard but as trained athletes they should be able to adjust.

3. Limitless substitutions are necessary to make use of bench players

NCAA Season 93 Women's Volleyball Power Rankings Week 3

Make no mistake about it these girls wanna make it to the big leagues. Arellano and San Beda seem to be the more polished teams at the moment but we will see if last year's finalists will have a return bout.

1. Arellano University 4-0
Dubbed as the girls in Gray Ice jerseys, the Lady Chiefs are chopping the competition to pieces. I would say they are the juggernaut squad, they have so much scorers.

2. San Beda College 4-0
The bedans are powered by two pairs of sisters, the Racraquins and the Virays. They are a small team but they have heart.

3. College of St. Benilde 2-2
The Lady Blazers system is patterned after the DLSU and F2 squads so they would be dangerous come the playoff round. In fact they can upset the two leaders. Abriam reminds me of Ara Galang so let her loose, let her hit the balls as she can.

4. University of Perpetual Help Altas 3-1
They seem to have the best MBs notably Lourdes Clemente. Since she has the height advantage why don't you milk it. She should score 20+ points, minimize errors and develop a deadly serve. MBs can spike over the blocks or spike left and right. Improve reflexes hands and feet to get drop balls. MBs are also the second setter at the floor because she plays center next to the setter. Do not over reach or over play, toss the ball to a teammate.

5. San Sebastian College 2-2
The Lady Stags are down to lean and mean seven players. What is the matter? Definitely Sta. Rita and Santos would need the help they can get or else they won't make it far this year.

6. Jose Rizal University 2-2
The Lady Bombers had a lackluster performance as of yet. If Shauna Alvarez and can carry the team why not.

7. Collegio de San Juan Letran 2-2

The Lady Knights are the poster girls of the NCAA. However they have shown that they can fight.

8. Lyceum of the Philippines University 1-3

I love the attitude of the Lady Pirates they make do of what they have. Playing with eight players is of course an disadvantage but they have good pieces in here especially Juanillo.

9. Emilio Aguinaldo College 0-4

10. Mapua University 0-4

The State of Philippine Sports

The NCAA has expanded to ten (10) with the two newest members Arellano University and Emilio Aguinaldo College having the most enthusiastic fans. The MVP Group is the benefactor of San Beda College while the RSA led San Miguel backs the College of St. Benilde. Yup these guys have taken their business rivalry to the sports arena of the UAAP and NCAA. Of course Danding Cojuangco is a fixture in Philippine Sports afaik from the Northern Consolidated Cement National Team in the 80s. The legendary NCC team has beaten squads from the USA including Glen Doc Rivers team. Why stop here the green machine has their school in the NCRAA, i would say Tier 3 collegiate association in Metro Manila with their De la Salle Dasmarinas. The bigger the base of the pyramid more talent will rise to the top. What of the UCBL? Why can't my university PLM join these leagues? I for one will watch their games. Here is how the PLM can accomodate these athletes: give them lighter loads than regular students, they are special athletes after all. You know we have to maintain a gwa of 2.50 or else you become irregular or be kicked out. Offer new courses such as Physical Education major in Sports and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Arts major in Literature, Translation Studies or Philosophy. We are just balancing the college experience of the students okay. We're not saying these athletes are dumb we need these guys to represent the school in sports. They can always take a different course later. In fact there is an NFL player who is also a mathematician.

I'm not ranking the Visayas and Mindanao yet cause they are still unknown. In my opinion San Beda College is ripe to join the UAAP. But the balance of power will be shaken? I dunno. I know the Sy family takes care of National University so there. Foton at the PSL? Most probably.

The PBA in Transition

The Philippine Basketball Association PBA is looking for a new commissioner in its 43rd season. Outgoing Commissioner Chito Narvasa was instrumental in making the PBA a faster league. However he exits in infamy as the PBA Board of Governors did not renew his leadership due to an impartial trade. Narvasa approved a trade that send three (3) San Miguel Beermen to Kia Picanto, decent players plus a 2019 first round draft pick. In return SMB was able to haul National Team standout Christian Standhardinger. In trades, the team who gets the best talent wins.

But as we see in the NBA, there are farm teams and the elite teams. If i were Narvasa i would disapprove the trade. You would go out anyway due to the gravity of the then proposed trade so do the right thing.

The last year we saw the PBA teams score more than 100 points often. As we pointed out the PBA needs to increase their games so that they level up to international standard of conditioning. The last time defense was emphasized in the NBA was the time of Chuck Daly and the Detroit Pistons. But when Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls hurdled the Eastern Alliance of the Pistons, Bucks and Celtics, they went on to capture six championships. It is possible to play defense while scoring high.

So NBA teams shoot and make plays within ten to fifteen seconds. They make shots when wide open. They dunk the ball at point blank range. That is the separation the NBA has over the PBA. So the PBA should go back to fundamentals and improve each year. Set a short term goal and a long term goal. Watching the US NCAA has taught me players should fake. Fake the drive. Fake the shot. Fake the pass. Fake Fake Fake.

NCAA Volleyball

The National Collegiate Athletics Association NCAA is the longest running sports tournament in the Philippines. Schools and universities battle in various sports throughout the school year culminating in the awarding of the overall championship. As was the case in the recent years the NCAA schedule precedes the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines UAAP which was formed when the bigger universities bolted out of the NCAA.

The NCAA plays second fiddle to the UAAP in terms of talent as we mentioned but it is not unusual that NCAA players develop to superstar status in the professional ranks.

I've been checking out NCAA Volleyball action when they started last week and they asked me to cover the Women's Division. My initial impression is the players are shorter. But what they lack in height they make up for willpower. I've seen the longest volleyball rallies today. So these we will attribute to the lack of blocking and powerful spikes. To improve under these conditions, players must train to jump higher so they get hang time and master their timing. 

Ang Larawan (Review)

The movie Ang Larawan is an adaptation of the story The Portrait of the Filipino as an Artist written by National Artist Nick Joaquin, an honor given by the government to outstanding artists.

The story is about two sisters Candida and Paula who were lucky to have been born to wealthy parents during the pre-second world war. They have grown to be decent middle aged women although sheltered that they struggle through life hindered by morals, customs and traditions. They blame their father that they do not have life skills to live independently nor they have the social skills to be married to wealthy men. Their father a noted painter paints his obra maestra for his two daughters.

He gets bedridden from an accident when he fell from the balcony to the ground. An article written by a frenchman about the painting drew droves of onlookers. He painted Aineid carrying his father on his back.

First of all I would pay to see Bernardo Bernardo sing. I have read this story in my college days. I guess i know how to kill rats, the skill of Candida. Joanna Ampil is impressive however Rachel Alejandro shone the brightest at the end. I love the music throughout although the screenplay has to improve. SHOW THE GD PAINTING! It also irritated me that they shot mostly on the house and their father showed up only at the last part. What was that? I was wondering what was Mikee Cojuangco's role is until the credits rolled. How unimaginative.

As a screenwriter myself i suggest you mention what were those reporters doing outside the house. Then repeat. Repetition is the key to understanding.

The Pyramid of Enlightenment

Do you know how many Chinese badminton players conspired to produce a Lin Dan, Gold Medalist in the World Cup and Olympics?

That is why we reiterate that the pyramid is a tried and tested formula of success. I know we have modern methods of building structures such as high rise buildings and skyscrapers but it is not as enduring as the Pyramids which has lasted for 1000+ years. Nevertheless we share the view that the structures should have a strong base. In the case of Pyramids, each piece that is laid contribute to its strength.

We want to have a strong National Team we have to have a strong base.