Blue Eagles outlast Growling Tigers

At center, #18 Justin Chua

Three years ago, Ateneo head coach Norman Black took notice on a junior center playing in the Tiong Lian league as this center led his team to the finals and eventually the title. Playing for the Chang Kai Shek Dragons that center scored 29 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked 10 shots in game 1 and had another triple double in game 2 with 17 points, 13 boards and 10 blocks as they dethroned the defending champion Xavier Stallions.. His outstanding performance earned the nod of Ateneo head coach Norman Black who eventually got him to play for the Blue Eagles in the 71st season of the UAAP. Unfortunately, that was the last time Justin Chua was heard off as he languished on the bench as Rabah Al-Husaini's back up and the expectations on his game died out.

Chua blocks Jeric Teng's shot

Today, against the UST Growling Tigers, Chua emerged from his slumber and gave led the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a 68 - 56 win as he scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and swatted away 4 shots. He is slowly but surely coming into the mold of a long line of Ateneo centers that have played under Coach Norman, to boot he is now next in line and will be alongside the names of Doug Kramer, Ford Arao and Rabah Al-Husaini. Chua together with the other centers, Frank Golla and Jumbo Escueta combined for 29 points which is right around the point production of Al-Husaini last year.

Eric Salamat still contributed

even if he has not fully recovered

The Tigers were a tough nut to crack as the two Jeric's - Teng and Fortuna kept the Espana dribblers on top with their no nonsense play. Clark Bautista also waxed hot early as he led a 12 -2 run that gave the Tigers an early 27 - 20 lead in the second quarter. The Eagles through main man Nico Salva came back as the Kobe clone scored on jumpers to keep the Blue Eagles at bay. Just as the Tigers were about to close out the Blue Eagles with a 5 point lead, Eric Salamat closed the first half with a four point play. At this point in the season Eric is still recuperating from a contusion he suffered in the FEU game.

Nico Salva scored 10 first half points

Both teams battled through the third quarter with the Blue Eagles getting a five point lead after Frank Golla and Art dela Cruz joined hands with Jumbo Escueta as the Blue Eagles pounded the shaded lane. Chua's heroics came in the fourth quarter as he scored on three jumpers and a lay in as the men in Blue and White shut down the Tiger's offense and their offense went to full blast. It was the second win of the Blue Eagles and this one was won through sheer focus in the 4th quarter, good defense and finding the person with the hot hand. Next stop - the Green Archers.

Frank was straight to the point

The scores:

Ateneo 68 – Chua 17, Salva 14, Monfort 8, Golla 7, Salamat 7, dela Cruz 6, Escueta 5, Austria 2, Long 2, Buenafe 0, Tiongson 0.

UST 56 – Bautista 11, Teng 10, Camus 8, Fortuna 7, Mariano 7, Afuang 4, Pe 4, Aytona 2, Marata 2, Daquioag 1, Lo 0, Mamaril 0, Tinte 0, Wong 0.

Quarter scores: 15-14, 31-32, 51-46, 68-56.

Universal Studios Singapore

It was perhaps one of the most amazing moments I have ever had and experienced. The Universal Studios Theme park in Singapore is one park worth going to. I just don't know how big the one in the United States is but this park for me is better than Ocean park, Disneyland HK and other parks I've been in Thailand and Korea.

Yours truly with the cast of Madagascar

A great roller coaster ride with

the Revenge of the Mummy

Having some laughs with

Princess Fiona and Shrek

Touring Jurassic Park

Blue Eagles lose opener against Tamaraws

The Tams outlast the Eagles

A lot of people were saying that Season 73 will be the year of the Tamaraws and they did not disappoint the league as they stayed on to eke out a 72 - 69 win against the two time defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles. RR Garcia proved to be the main man of FEU as he scored 25 points to lead his team against the defending champs. His all around brilliance showed what the FEU team is capable of doing.

Nico Salva is the main man in offense

The Blue Eagles started the game pumped up and raced to various six point leads until the Tamaraws caught up. Rookie Forward Art dela Cruz who came from the San Beda Red Cubs have become the newest Blue Eagle rookie sensation as he scored 10 first half points with most of them against the tall FEU frontline. His teardrop was unstoppable while his spunk was very evident. Ateneo got another gem of a great player in dela Cruz whose father (same name Art) made a name for himself when he was terrorizing opponents in the PBA.

Ryan Buenafe was all business today

In a battle of strengths, its usually the one who adjusts in the end wins. The Blue Eagles tried to force the Tams into turnovers and scored on fastbreak points. On the other hand, the Tall Tamaraws outrebounded the Eagles and shot better from the three point area to underscore the versatility of their offense. In the end, the breaks went the way of the Tamaraws as they finall beat the Blue Eagles whom they last beat in the first round of season 71.

Eric Salamat got injured

and did not finish the game

Although the Blue Eagles lost, the team seems to have the right mix that can go for a three-peat. Nico Salva and Ryan Buenafe were both sharp, Kirk Long was excellent on the break while the rest of the team showed that when the team peaks at the right time they are on the way for another title run. The rookies this year looked like they were not rookies as Art dela Cruz scored 10 points in the first half. Jumbo Escueta also underscored his might inside the shaded lane while JP Erram did not show opening jitters. The only bright spot is that Ateneans know that there is still a ton of improvement that the team will go through in the next month, that only means we have to watch our for the BLue Eagles once again.

A prized rookie, Art dela Cruz Jr.

scored 10 first half points

FEU (72)

Garcia 25, Cervantes 13, Ramos 10, Sanga 9, Bringas 8, Noundou 3, Romeo 2, Exciminiano 2, Mendoza 0, Knuttel 0, Cawaling 0.

ATENEO (69)

Salva 14, Buenafe 13, Long 11, Dela Cruz 10, Escueta 6, Salamat 6, Monfort 3, Erram 2, Golla 2, Chua 2, Gonzaga 0, Austria 0.

Quarterscores: 11-15, 35-30, 51-52, 72-69

Blue Eagles too much for Olympians

Norman Ihalas stole the ball and scored on a fastbreak

I was excited when I heard that my two favorite teams were about to play each other. The Olympians were champions in 2007 and the Blue Eagles in 2008 and 2009 and I hope this will be the year when both teams would win the title! It would be something great for me personally. Last March the Olympians played the Blue Eagles at the STI Gym and the Olympians was beaten badly by the team from Katipunan and today I was hopeful that it wont be the case.

Jerald Bautista goes for the loose ball

For me it was good news for my Blue Eagles but bad news for my Olympians as the Eagles dumped my Olympians 76 - 53. It was the last game that the Eagles would play since they will open defense of their UAAP title on sunday against the team a lot believe will end their reign - the FEU Tamaraws. With three of their main guns gone - Rabah Al-Husaini, Jai Reyes and Nonoy Baclao, the Blue Eagles are not given much of a chance by a lot since the Tamaraws are raring to win this year's title. But then again the Blue Eagles know that and are happy that the pressure is off their shoulders.

Jasper Melano scores on a reverse

The game started with veteran Olympian Norman Ihalas scoring off two three pointers that gave the Global City based cagers an early 6 - 2 lead. The Olympians would still hold on to the lead 10 - 9 as their offense did much of the talking while the Eagles were just within striking distance. The Eagles then regrouped and unleashed a 8 - 0 blast to end the quarter ahead - The Blue Eagles would never look back again as the Olympians found it hard to match the running game of the Blue Eagles. There were moments that the Olympians would shine but the consistency was not there.

Henri blocks Nico Salva's jumper

It was a welcome reunion for former Pilgrim Christian College stars Norman Ihalas & Bryan Daguplo of the Olympians with JP Erram of the Blue Eagles. The three were the stars of that CDO team coached by Arvin Martinez. They eventually all went separate ways with most of them playing here in Metro Manila. Erram has shone maturity and so did Daguplo and Ihalas who are tasked to lead the Olympians campaign this season. Besides Ihalas, rookie point guard Keno Alcantara showed up for the big game as he ably supported Ihalas while gutsy forward Jasper Melano was adequate in terms of offense and defense.

Bryan Daguplo drives to the hoop

Both these teams will face different opponents in two different leagues. The win showed that the Blue Eagles are ready for their campaign while the Olympians are still on and off. They played good ball against the UP Maroons but were out ran and out hustled by the Blue Eagles. Good thing season is three weeks from now and that the Olympians have a lot of patching up to do. Good luck to my two favorite teams.

STI HQ Loses initial bid in Tanco Cup

STI Defense

During the last Vision Compass 2010, there were a lot of good basketball players that played for the four competing teams. The Champion team was led by one of the executives of STI ESG John Tubongbanua whose defense gave the other teams nightmares. From those four teams was born the STI ESG basketball team that will compete in the YOSI TANCO Basketball tournament.

Mitch Bacaron with an

acrobatic lay up

The players picked were Jerry Aberia, Alvin Albuero, Mitch Bacaron, Raymond Cabasis, Cyril Cunanan, Stanley Dimain, Peter Fernandez, Wayne Guamos, Jim Hernandez, Joel Joya, John Ray Labergue, Velmer delos Santos, Joel Santos, Joel Sena and Team manager John Tubongbanua. This group is a good one and could have been better five years ago when PKF and JBT were still at their prime.

PKF on the free throw line

I was originally part of the team, but since I was the organizer of the tournament I begged off since it would be conflict of interest running the league and then playing for one team. I just told the team manager that if we get a chance to have a successful tournament then we will have a another host and just help them run the league next year.

Joel Joya on the drive

The first game of the team was a heart breaker. Five members were immediately unavailable because they were scheduled for work on that Saturday morning. The five players were also vital cogs of the team. In the end, Team STI lost steam against the taller, quicker and more conditioned Asian terminal team. From a close 1st half, the ATI team rampaged past the STI Team and won 78 - 62. It was a sorry loss for the team. Hope that they pick up the pieces and work it out for a slot in the top 4. Next game is against Philfirst on July 5, 2010.

Mitch Bacaron on the drive

Yosi Tanco Cup Teams

THE TEAMS

ASIAN TERMINALS INC.

COATS MANILA BAY

DLS - STI

PHIL CARE

PHILFIRST

PHILPLANS

STI COLLEGE

TOTAL CORPORATION

THE AMUSING MUSES

CAMILLE NIEVERA

PHILFIRST

ANNE CRISELLE PERET

PHILCARE

LEAH AMUTAN

ASIAN TERMINALS INC.

GRACE ANN DE VERA

COATS MANILA BAY

ANNE SUACO

TOTAL CORPORATION

MILES LEGAZPI

PHILPLANS

RJ MARASIGAN

STI COLLEGE

The 1st Yosi Tanco Basketball Tournament

Ceremonial Toss between ATI and STI

Businessmen around the country know who Mr Eusebio "Yosi" Tanco is. He is a low key Filipino-Chinese businessman who like the Gokongweis, Tans, Yuchengcos have also made his own mark in the various companies that he has set up and also acquired. Just recently was the inclusion of Philplans and Philcare to the growing number of companies that he has acquired. To be able to put synergy in these companies, Mr. Tanco appointed the STI Team to put up a sportsfest for his companies, thus the 1st Yosi Tanco Basketball Tournament was born.

Mr. Eusebio "Yosi" Tanco

Four weeks ago I was informed of the project and was tasked to come up with the tournament complete with the guidelines and other rules that will be forwarded to the various companies that Mr Tanco owns. Initially there were 7 teams that were suppose to join namely Philplans and Philcare, Philippines First Insurance, Asian Terminals Inc., COATS Manila Bay, Delos Santos STI and STI College. Luckily, one of the tenants of one of the buildings that Mr. Tanco owns also joined the fray and that tenant is TOTAL.

Mr. Tanco with the beauties

The 1st Yosi Tanco Basketball tournament opened on July 3, 2010 at the STI Academic Center Basketball Gym at the Fort Bonifacio Global City. Eight teams made it to the parade with only DLS-STI not bringing a muse. One of the highlights of the opening cermonies was the picking of the Best muse. The best muse was non other than my good friend RJ Marasigan whose stunning looks made Mr Tanco's job easier. Afterwards Mr. Tanco declared the games open.

Mr. Tanco awards RJ Marasigan of STI
the Best Muse Trophy

Opening day games turned out to be three routs and one game that went down the wire. Asian Terminals Inc was full force in inflicting the host team its first loss via a 78-52 rout. COATS Manila Bay also served notice its brute force as it way laid Philplans to the tune of a 86-63 win. DLS - STI also prevailed over Total while Philcare squeaked pass Philfirst 66-62. The regular games will be played every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

The Bosses!

Kulasa get together

Marijane Luistro-Jonsson was in town and we are quite happy that we got a chance to see each other. Good thing that Mae and Gil Moreno hosted a get together at their house in manila. It was nice to see some good friends specially since I have not seen MJ in years and it was nice to reconnect with her. Bride to be Baba San Jose was also there to add more fun to the event. Highlights of the reunion.

Baba and MJ

Markus, MJ, Baba and Mae

with the Pogi

Markus with the gurls

Markus and Mae show off their kids