UC Jaguars halt streaking CCDC Admirals in BBEAL

By Roderick Osis

A FEROCIOUS opening quarter marked University of the Cordilleras (UC) Jaguars offense as they grab hold of the number two spot against a streaking Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals in the ongoing Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) 25th season men’s basketball.

With an emphatic 97-75 victory, the Jaguars has posted their fifth victory against one sorry loss and at the same time dealing the Admirals their first taste of defeat in the tournament after a rousing five straight victories.

“Itong panalo namin against CCDC ang pinaka importante kasi nakuha namin yung number two position sa team standing,” said UC jaguars head coach Carlo Domingo after the game at the UC gym, September 11.

Their fifth victory also saw five Jaguars scoring in double digit lead by guard Andrew Payas who turned in 19 points including seven rebounds, two assists and another pair of steals.

Chad Russell Villanueva and Jopson Dail, the UC jaguars twin towers added 16 and 15 points each where they also took care of the rebounding for the Gov. Pack based dribblers with 12 and 13 rebounds each.

Leilmar Garcia, the other guard in the Jaguars’ rotation had 14 points, seven rebounds including four assists while Jeconiah Solamo added 10 points and seven rebounds with two steals.

“Malaking tulong sa pagkapanalo namin ay yung trapping namin sa defense all the way kasi wala silang reliable guards and sa offense naman is attack ulit para makakuha ng foul ung mga veterans nila,” added Domingo.

And their attack in the offensive side of the court proved to be a plus factor for the Jaguars after Giron Lumba fouled out in the ball game with 4:26 remaining with 16 points and five rebounds while Stephen Agustin had 11 points and four rebounds, fouled out earlier with 6:36 remaining.

Lumba is the only veteran left in the Admirals squad who last won their championship in 2008 while Agustin is in his second playing year.

Rookie Jonathan Ayad led the scoring cudgels for the Admirals with 22 points and six rebounds.

Right at the start of the ball game, the Jaguars took an early lead and enjoyed a 26-11 advantage at the close of the opening canto.

The Admirals where then limited to only 17 points in the second period to fall behind by 23 at half time.

In other games, Benguet State University Wildcats finally nailed their first win of the tournament by edging fellow cellar dweller and season host Pines City Colleges Warriors, 85-72.

Philippine Military Academy Cavaliers meanwhile found their rhythm anew after three straight setbacks by downing Baguio Central University Eagles, 106-102.

Lady Navs top BBEAL volleyball team standings

By Roderick Osis

SAINT Louis University (SLU) succeeded where six other schools have failed, beating University of the Cordilleras (UC) in four sets, 25-13, 18-25, 25-19, 25-19, Sunday morning in the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League Season 25 women’s volleyball.

And it will be the Lady Navigators’ first win in three years in the eliminations round against the defending titlist Lady Jaguars in the region’s premiere collegiate league with nine school members being hosted by Pines City Colleges.

The Lady Navigators, last year’s runner up, surprised the Lady Jaguars with an easy win in the first-set encounter but lost steam in the second set after the Gov. Pack-based spikers thwarted any rally by the Bonifacio squad.

“Our goal for the game is to have a strong defense at tsaka maganda rin ang nilaro nila Ghileen (Labrador) at Jenine (Biaes) kaya naging maganda din 'yung result,” said Lady Navigator coach Gerald Peralta.

With their sixth victory against a lone setback, SLU climbed up to number one in the team standings, while the Lady Jaguars' loss dislodged them from the top standing after a good six game winning streak only to falter against their fiercest rival in their final game.

In fact, the UC Lady spikers were relegated to the number three spot after University of Baguio (UB) Lady Cardinals trounced PCC Lady Warriors, 25-10, 25-7, 25-5, to claim the number two spot.

SLU and UB can take two weeks off as the step ladder quarterfinals sees action next weekend for the women’s volleyball with both teams assured of the twice-to-beat edge in the semis.

The Lady Jaguars, which is now in unfamiliar territory, will have to play in the second phase of the step ladder quarterfinals, will have to wait for a week and await the winner of the Baguio Central University Lady Eagles-PCC Lady Warriors.

Cordillera Career Development College, meanwhile, formalized its entry in the quarterfinals as it gained a twice-to-beat edge, alongside with the Lady Jaguars in the step ladder quarters, by hunting down BCU Lady Eagles, 25-16, 25-19, 25-6.

University of the Philippines Baguio Lady Maroons also formalized its hold in the fifth spot by winning against Benguet State University Lady Wildcats in four thrilling sets, 26-24, 25-18, 20-25, 25-19.

Grapplers Cup hits mat this weekend

CLOSE to forty grapplers from all over northern Luzon are set to hit the mat this coming weekend at the UC gym 7th Lakay Wushu Team Grapplers Cup.

"We are expecting around 40 players but if all we invited would attend, then the number would reach at least 100," said Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao.

Prizes and medals await top winners in each weight class spearheaded by the country’s top mix martial arts group based in the Summer Capital.

Expected to see action in the one day tournament are teams coming from Baguio, Benguet, Mt. Province, San Fernando, Agoo and Bauang in La Union.

Evens to be disputed are the kids division, cadet division while the juniors’ division will have a 50 kilograms (kg) and below and 50-57 kg for both boys and girls.

Also seeing action is the tough seniors division which will include the 50 kgs and below, 58-64 weight category, 73-80 weight class, 81 and above weight class for both men and women.

The grappling competition is a sport, which uses techniques, maneuvers and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving their relative position, escaping, submitting, or injuring them, which is also widely used in mix martial arts.

These techniques include clinching, takedowns, throws, submissions, and among others.

Sangiao said the tournament is also Team Lakay's way of discovering talents who could possibly fit in mix martial arts where the team is currently the number one in the local Universal Reality Combat Championship holding at least four weight division belts.

The event is done cooperation with the City Government of Baguio with 50s Dinner and FRB Foundation.(Roderick Osis)

Folayang eyes gold in SEA Games

Roderick Osis

SOUTHEAST Asian Games Gold. This will be the next mark for Filipino mix martial arts (MMA) fighter and wushu multi-medalist Eduard Folayang.

And after the biggest win of his career, Folayang is set to return to the mat anew as he joins other Philippine bets in the upcoming 26th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia in November.

The 26-year-old MMA fighter who trains with Team Lakay Wushu was initially offered another stint in One Fighting Championship in December but the Universal Reality Combat Championship welterweight title holder said he begged off.

“I am supposed to be included in the next event but I had to beg off because I will be competing in the SEA Games,” added Folayang.

Folayang hopes to pick up another gold in November’s SEA Games, where he has dominated in the last two editions. He has also bagged a bronze in the 2005 World Wushu Championship aside from a silver (2006) and a bronze (2002) in the Asian Games.

Veterans and Baguio-based wushu campaigners John Keithley Chan, Mark Eddiva, Benjie Rivera, Folayang, brothers Daniel and Denver Parantac, and Thornton Quieney Lou Sayan will banner the 18 man field in the biennial competitions.

Joining the group are Jessie Aligaga, Mary Jane Estimar, Engelbert Andongan, Denbert Arcita and Eleazar Jacob.

Completing the team are female wushu artists Rhea May Rifani, Marianne Mariano, Kariza Chan, Kathlynn Sabalburo and Natasha Laxamana.

The five female wuhsu players are also based in the city.

The group was culled from the recently concluded Philippine National Games where Baguio won 41 gold medals, including 28 silver and 14 bronze medals in the wushu competitions and where the Summer Capital bagged the over-all title.

The Wushu Federation of the Philippines also lined up a three- to four-month build-up program in Taijuan, China under an agreement forged by the Philippine Sports Commission and its Chinese counterpart.

Unlike last year, the Philippine team will have ample training to prepare for the twin tournaments the country is committed to participate in.

Archery certification course fires off

IN ITS aim to popularize the sport of archery, the Highlands Archery Supporters is set to host a three-day archery seminar slated later this September.

Dubbed the “1st PANNA CAR Regional Certification Course for Archery Instructors and Merit badge Counselors”, the event set on September 30 to October 2 at the BCNHS Gymnasium aims to encourage more players to take up the sport.

“We shall be inviting public and private school teachers from the elementary, secondary and tertiary level; Physical Education majors from the different universities and colleges, Scouters or Merit Badge Counselors; and all archery enthusiasts of legal age in the Cordillera Administrative Region,” said event organizer John Hongitan.

Resource speakers in the three-day competition are Dr. Lenora Fe Brawner, Board Member, Philippine Olympic Committee and president, Philippine Archers National Network and Alliance.

Ricky Torres, executive director, Philippine Archers National Network and Alliance; archery consultant, and DepEd Task Force on School Sports; tournament manager will also be among the speakers in the three-day event.

Registration fee for the three-day seminar will be at P50 to augment organizers miscellaneous expenses for the event and an additional equipment fee of P50 shall be charged to those who have incomplete archery equipments.

Interested participants may send inquiries to Hongitan at (0915)429-8751. (Roderick Osis)

Lady Jags forges crucial win

University of the Cordilleras pulled off a stunning 22-25,25-21,25-20,24-26,15-12 victory over University of Baguio for a perfect 6-0 record in women’s volleyball of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League.

Larry Fabian Photo

With their backs against the wall after the first set, the UC Lady Jaguars rose to challenge as they drew stellar performances from Roxanne Almonte, Aloise Marie Costales and Nica Salazar to spoil the Lady Cardinals possible sweep of the eliminations round.

The Lady Jaguars victory against the Lady Cardinals also gave them breathing room and another possible sweep of the eliminations round, a perfect record they also held in winning the same tournament last year.

“We never had any game plan, I just wanted them to play as a team,” said rookie coach Ysang Tolentino after that five game thriller last Sunday at the BSU gym.  

But that sweep is far from being realized as the defending titlist faces another tough opponent in Saint Louis University Lady Navigators this Sunday, September 11, at the CCDC Gym for the last playing date of the eliminations round for the women’s volleyball.

The Lady Navigators fell prey to the Lady Cardinals in their August 21 encounter on a grueling 22-25, 25-15, 29-27, 20-25, 15-11 at the UC Gym.

“Against SLU ang sinabi ko lang sa mga players eh sipagan pa nila yung pagblock sa mga spikers nila kasi mas matangakad ang line up nila,” added Tolentino. “Dapat doblehin pa yung aming effort kung gusto naming manalo sa SLU”.

And that showdown between last year’s protagonists in the championship round will be a sight to see as the Lady Navigators racked up its five games in six outings by trouncing the Cordillera Career Development College Lady Admirals in three sets, 25-18, 25-8, 25-13.

University of the Philippines–Baguio Lady Maroons, meanwhile, boosted its quarterfinals hopes with a 25-17, 25-23, 25-22 drubbing of the Baguio Central University Lady Eagles.

Benguet State University also notched a place in the step ladder format quarterfinals after scoring a three set 25-9, 25-10,25-9 victory against season host Pines City Colleges Lady Warriors.

Eight fights eyed for Folayang in OneFC

AT LEAST eight more lucrative fights are being offered to welterweight Eduard Folayang after hammering out a unanimous victory in his One Fighting Championship debut.

Larry Fabian Photo

Bloodied with a broken nose right at the opening round, Folayang came in aggressive against Korean A Sol Kwon with punching combinations and inside leg kicks in the final two rounds in front of a sellout international crowd of 7,000 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

And with his performance, at least eight to ten fights are being offered to the Baguio bred mix martial arts fighter and a wushu multi medalist in international competitions.

“After the fight, I was immediately asked to sign a contract for One FC for at least 8-10 fights but we will still study our options,” said Folayang in local dialect at the Team Lakay Gym.

And following his big victory, it will be Folayang’s biggest paycheck yet receiving at least P350,000 in cash prizes including the fight of the night honors which is Singapore $5,000.

But despite the huge paycheck, Folayang needed at least three stitches after suffering a cut over his right eye, another at the nape, and his broken nose where they had to fix it here in the Summer Capital Monday morning straight after their arrival from Singapore.

This will at least need two weeks to heal according to Folayang.

“We tried na ipaayos sana sa Singapore but the doctors there were afraid kaya what we did is we went home kaagad and we were able to get some remedy at a local hospital dito na sa Baguio,” added coach Mark Singiao.

Toughest fight yet
Despite the tough training, Folayang recalls the Korean as one of the most technical fighters he has fought in mix martial arts.

Kwon, who has a record of 16 wins in his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) career and one of South Korea’s champions, is considered a good boxer and at the same time was able to hold on Folayang’s ground game as they both mixed it up in a striking game.

“Masyadong matigas kasi kahit anung suntok ang ibigay ko eh hindi bumabagsak,” quipped Folayang who is also being eyed to fight in the next One FC event this coming September.

“Yung first round din kasi ang pinaka mahirap kasi dun na natamaan yung ilong ko tsaka dun sa kilay kaya malaking adjustment sa laban ang ginawa ko sa second at third round,” added Folayang.

Eric Kelly, the only other Filipino fighter in the inaugural event featuring 20 mixed martial artists from 11 countries, also proved a sensation in his international debut as a featherweight.

Kelly put away American Mitch Chilson by submission at the 3:10 mark of the opening round.

A Baguio native just like Folayang, Kelly remains unbeaten in six fights while pinning Chilson his first loss in three bouts.

Baguio welcomes Pacquiao on September 19

THE Summer Capital will lay out its red carpet treatment anew as Manny Pacquiao will once again train in the city to build up against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao will return to the City of Pines for the third time, and it will be the pound for pound king’s third bout against the Mexican slugger who he scored a draw in the first fight before scoring a controversial split decision in the second fight.

The Saranggani representative is considered an 8-1 favorite to repulse Marquez, who battled the Filipino to an all-action 12-round draw the first time they met in May 2004 and lost a hairline split decision in the rematch in March 2008.

The third fight will be at a catch weight of 145 lbs with Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown on the line.

And to spice up things in the training camp, Freddie Roach will be bringing over the 25-year-old Venezuelan lightweight, Jorge Linares to the Philippines to serve as Pacquiao’s sparring partner.

Reports in the national dailies said Pacquiao’s camp will set up three weeks of camp in the Summer Capital and will be enough to prepare for the remainder of the training camp in Hollywood where the most demanding phase will take place.

Roach and physical conditioning expert Alex Ariza will once again be in the fold for the eight-weight class division champion before moving to the US for the final phase of their training.

Roach is expected to arrive in the country September 19 to start Pacquiao’s training camp and will return to the US with the Filipino boxing icon on October 7 to continue the training program at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

Ariza is expected to arrive earlier to prepare Pacquiao before the start of the tough training schedule.

The Summer Capital has become a permanent part of the Pacman’s training attributed by the cool climate and the high altitude, which have contributed to his excellent physical conditioning.

Baguio welcomes Pacquiao on September 19

THE Summer Capital will lay out its red carpet treatment anew as Manny Pacquiao will once again train in the city to build up against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao will return to the City of Pines for the third time, and it will be the pound for pound king’s third bout against the Mexican slugger who he scored a draw in the first fight before scoring a controversial split decision in the second fight.

The Saranggani representative is considered an 8-1 favorite to repulse Marquez, who battled the Filipino to an all-action 12-round draw the first time they met in May 2004 and lost a hairline split decision in the rematch in March 2008.

The third fight will be at a catch weight of 145 lbs with Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown on the line.

And to spice up things in the training camp, Freddie Roach will be bringing over the 25-year-old Venezuelan lightweight, Jorge Linares to the Philippines to serve as Pacquiao’s sparring partner.

Reports in the national dailies said Pacquiao’s camp will set up three weeks of camp in the Summer Capital and will be enough to prepare for the remainder of the training camp in Hollywood where the most demanding phase will take place.

Roach and physical conditioning expert Alex Ariza will once again be in the fold for the eight-weight class division champion before moving to the US for the final phase of their training.

Roach is expected to arrive in the country September 19 to start Pacquiao’s training camp and will return to the US with the Filipino boxing icon on October 7 to continue the training program at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

Ariza is expected to arrive earlier to prepare Pacquiao before the start of the tough training schedule.

The Summer Capital has become a permanent part of the Pacman’s training attributed by the cool climate and the high altitude, which have contributed to his excellent physical conditioning.

Gabutan set for September 22 bout

WITH his condition peaking at the right time, WBO oriental bantamweight champion Dayer Gabutan is all fired up in training and ready to mix it up against his Thai challenger come September 22 in Hong Kong.

The 22-year-old native of Ambagiw, Besao in Mt. Province is currently being housed at the Top Contender Gym in Cavite and has continued sparring with the gym's upcoming that includes Super flyweight Joel Rafols.

But with the way his condition is peaking, Gabutan still sees a tough opponent in Petch Twins Gym from Thailand although carding a not so impressive nine wins with seven knock-outs.

“Okay naman po yung conditioning ko tsaka talagang I trained hard and this is again the chance para mapatunayan na kaya natin manalo,” said Gabutan in a text message.

Twins Gym, a known featherweight, will try to keep his winning streak to two after a three fight losing skid and is incidentally the second Thai opponent for Gabutan, who is fighting outside the country for the first time.

So far, the reigning WBO oriental bantamweight champion who holds a record of 14 wins, six of which by way of knock-out and one loss including two draws, has lodged some 80 rounds of sparring.

And although he is expected once again to defend his title against the Thai challenger, Gabutan is also pressed hard on winning against another Twins Gym fighter.

“Yung knock out po depende kasi may mabigat din siyang mga suntok kaya baka kaya niyang tanggapin suntok ko. Kung di ma-knockout, basta manalo lang tayo sa puntos,” added Gabutan.

Gabutan will be accompanied by three other fighters coming from their stable for his title defense, including featherweight Randy Megriño, welterweight Dennis Padua, and lady boxer light flyweight Jujeath Nagaowa.

Baguio boy shines in Asian Junior Wushu meet

BAGUIO boy and wushu sensation John Ketihley Chan emerged as one of the country’s rising star in his sport after bringing home gold and silver medals at the close of the 6th Asian Junior Wushu International Championship in Shanghai, China recently.

Chan, a gold medalist in the world meet last year, captured the gold in the spear play event by scoring 9.20 points beating Malaysian rival Yap Wai Kin who notched a 9.19. Japanese competitor Ono Chikara placed third with 9:04.

The first-year Civil Engineering student at the Adamson University faced the same two opponents in the swordplay contest but this time, he won the silver with 9.15 points. Ono captured the gold with 9.19 and Yap the bronze with 9.11.

The Championship has attracted a total of 23 countries and regions, including the Philippines with routines like fist, sword, sword, spear, stick, Taijiquan, Taiji Sword, Nan Quan, Nan knife, and stick saw action in the tournament.

Ten athletes were sent to China in the three-day competition, which yielded one gold, one silver courtesy of Chan, one 4th place, three 5th place, one 6th place and another 8th place.

With the feat, Senator Jinggoy Estrada has earlier penned a resolution commending Filipino athletes who joined the competition.

“The efforts and discipline of these athletes deserve commendation for brining another triumph to the country and are an inspiration to all young and aspiring Filipino athletes training in varoius conditions to keep pursuing their dreams,” said Estrada’s resolution.

Wushu Federation of the Philippines president Tan Shei Ling earlier said he is hoping the country’s wushu team would duplicate Chan’s impressive feat in the World Senior Wushu Championship slated October in Turkey, as well as the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in November.

The former Baguio Patriotic High School student Chan also chalked up an impressive 9.55 score for the gold in the World Junior Wushu Championships in Singapore last December. (Roderick Osis)