Here is another look at my performance last Saturday's WBS IDol Finale, this time from an Audience POV (complete with crowd reactions).
For another angle of this video, please check the previous post titled "The Coach (Also) Sings?"
Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
The Coach (Also) Sings?
Whew! It's been a long time since I last posted here.
The UP Fighting Maroons MBT's UAAP ended more than a month ago and I haven't found the right material to write about just yet (yes, I promised that Mark Lopez interview but Mark and I haven't had the time to finish it. Sorry).
Then I realized this blog's title is "Life and Basketball." Hence, I decided to write something about my life outside of basketball.
Before learning how to play basketball I sort of kinda joined Glee and Theater clubs in elementary. I loved expressing myself through my music and singing was just a big part of me, always was and always still.
Actually this part of me is very much hidden to most people I know. A lot of them would even wonder and ask me, "Marunong ka pala kumanta eh, bakit ngayon ko lang nalaman?" Or they would even say, "Ayos ah, kala ko puro basketball ka lang?"
Anyways, enough of all the background about how I started singing, I would just like to share an unforgettable experience at work that sorta rekindled my long lost passion.
 |
| Where it all started :) |
I'll just let this video do the talking (or singing for that matter). Special mention to my colleague Eugene Madrazo for the video of my Finals performance last Saturday, October 27.
See? I hope you liked it.
I would also like to thank my sister Kaye and her friend Mearah Gonzales for being there for me every step of the way, from Pre-Auditions to the Finals of this event.
To our make-up artist Raymond David and my very charming leading lady Erika Perocillo, I thank you for your sacrifices as well to make our finished product something for the whole WBS to remember.
Here are some pictures prior, during and after the event :)
 |
| Some shots taken as part of our performance last Saturday |
 |
| Me and Erika waiting for Mearah's directions |
 |
| Ugh! Allergic to make-up |
 |
| Kaye and Raymond applying the finishing touches |
 |
| Practicing my song |
 |
| Start of my performance |
 |
| "If Ever You're In My Arms Again" |
 |
| Me singing with Erika in the background for our mini-MTV |
 |
| With the other contestants |
 |
| Wave 17 peeps, my wavemates Thanks for the support! |
 |
| Erika, me and Justin (one of the event dancers) |
 |
| My ever happy staff and supporters, thanks for making this a memory to last a lifetime |
Monday, September 17, 2012
THE END (of another UP Maroons MBT season)
UP fights till the very end only to come up short against host NU;
Eight seniors play final game
 |
| Ray Parks got a lot of help from the refs, getting one superstar call after another |
Ok, I’ll admit it. I cried as I watched the UP Maroons MBT
and the coaching staff huddle inside the court in honor of the eight seniors
playing their last games in the UAAP.
The NU Bulldogs relied on their dynamic duo of Ray Parks and
Emmanuel Mbe to survive a late Maroon rally and win, 65-60. Parks got a lot of
help from the from Mbe’s offensive rebounds and putbacks. He also got a lot of
assists from the referees who seem to be calling the game in a one-sided
manner.
Ang sakit lang kasi eh, yung alam mong binigay nila lahat ng
makakaya nila buong season. Pero kahit
may pulitika, palakasan sa UAAP board, masasamang tawag ng referees for almost
the whole season at iba’t iba pang outside distractions eh lumaban pa rin ng
todo ang mga players ng team mo.
Sobrang saya ko nung nakita kong mag-huddle sa gitna ng
court ang buong team kahit na natalo pa tayo kahapon. Ang mahalaga, lumaban ng
buong tapang at gilas ang mga totoong student-athletes ng UP Maroons MBT.
Pero nalungkot din ako kasi, huling taon na nung walong
seniors natin, na kung tutuusin hindi naman mukhang graduating. May iba ngang
players yung ibang schools magugulat ka may natitira pang playing years pero
mukhang tatay na ng mga players natin ngayon (e.g. RR Garcia of FEU).
But enough of the ranting here, I would just like to thank
the team for all the fight and effort shown this season. I don’t care even if
we had a 1-13 season (the hell, even if we finish at 0-14), our record does not
indicate how well our team played this year.
This last post about
the UP MBT games will be dedicated to thanking the team and the people who helped
made my “coverage” of the Maroons’ season 75 campaign a successful one.
To the UP Maroons Men’s
Basketball Team and coaching staff
 |
| UP fans holding up the numbers of the graduating seniors |
First off, I would like to thank the UP Maroons Basketball
team for all the hardwork and fight you have shown all season long. I would
like to commend Mark Lopez, Jelo Montecastro and Henry Asilum for consistently
answering my mentions on Twitter. Those answers were a lot of help in
disseminating information about the team. These three easily are also my
favorite players from this year’s squad.
To the eight super seniors, Lopez, Montecastro, Mike
Silungan, Alvin Padilla, Mike Gamboa, Alinko Mbah, Diony Hipolito and Robby
Weirzba, thank you for choosing UP. You will forever be in our hearts and will
support you in the next career paths you take after the UAAP.
1.
Mark Lopez- a player who came to UP alongside
his high school teammate Soc Rivera (who is nowhere to be found now). Thank you
for the five years you spent representing Oblation Nation. An all-around player
who can score, rebound, facilitate and defend, para sa akin, ikaw ang
pinaka-epitome ng isang student-athlete, Iskolar ng Bayan pa.
2.
Jelo Montecastro- a guy who chose to transfer to
UP after first donning green for the CSB Blazers, thank you for choosing to
transfer to us. You are the most poised UP pointguard I have watched play for
this team. You made the right choice transferring to UP.
3.
Mike Silungan- the hotshot dude from Chicago who
took his talents to Diliman, never question your talents bro. The critics and
online trolls will always be there when your down, but we supporters are behind
you all the way. Just keep your head in the game and make us proud as you continue
your hoop dreams onto the professional ranks.
4.
Alvin Padilla- the other transferee who made the
right choice. Thank you for trading your red for maroon. Thank you for the stingy
defense you give the opposing team’s best player and for developing that clutch
mentality as your career with the Maroons progressed.
5.
Mike Gamboa- the former King Eaglet who went to the
other side of Katipunan to represent Diliman Republic. Thank you for those
daredevil drives and timely assists to your teammates. And thank you for showing
everyone that it’s not height but the size of the heart that matters in
basketball.
6.
Alinko Mbah- the Nigeran center who played a
hell of a game in his last one. I thank you for the two years spent patrolling
the paint for the Maroons. I also thank you for giving us Maroons fans a reason
to laugh everytime you do something comical on the court.
7.
Diony Hipolito- the smallest power forward I’ve
watch play in the UAAP, thank you for showing improvement ever year. I always
pump my fist everytime you outrebound the bigger and bulkier forwards of our
opponents.
8.
Robby Weirzba- the role player who is always
called upon to play sticky defense to elite wing players such as Parks and
Terrence Romeo, thank you for doing what do best for UP.
To the holdovers for next season, Asilum, Jett Manuel, Raul
Soyud, Chris Ball, Paolo Romero, JR Gallarza and Julius Wong, continue the
fight and achieve the goals not obtained this season.
To Mikey Reyes, Mark Juruena, Mo Gingerich, Tata Marata and
Kyle Suarez, we are expecting a lot from you as well next year.
 |
| The graduating players in tears while singing the UP hymn for the last time as members of the team |
To the coaching staff, especially coach Ricky Dandan, thank
you for all the sacrifices you’ve made or the UP community this season. Asahan niyong
nandto pa rin kaming mga supporters niyo sa mga susunod pang mga taon.
To the detractors of this team and coaching staff, salamat
na rin. Hindi naman kumpleto ang mundo ng wala kayo. Andami dami nyo sinasabi wala naman kayong alam sa basketball, if I were you, I will just help the current coaching staff in place. We all know that the UP MBT management is in shambles and it would only get worse if we keep replacing our head coach and coaching staff.
If you think you can help then let's just help each other, if not, I just have one message
for you all, FUCK OFF!
To those who made my
coverage happen
Prior to this season, I never got to watch all the games of
our MBT live (whether it be on TV or at the venue). This season I got lots of
help from my friend Carlos Pascual, who helped me secure tickets to all the UP
Maroons weekend games that I could’ve watched. This paragraph is for you my
friend, thank you and I am looking forward to next season.
To my sister Krisha, my cousins Joan, Vea and Coleen and my
friends Trish and Renel who served as company while watching the games, let’s
all do this again next season for the Maroons.
To my former player for the UP CMC Wildcats and current UP
MBT Student Manager, Julio Dragon Silvestre, thanks for the little bits of
information that helped me improve writing my blog posts about the UP Maroons
this year.
 |
| The Maroons huddled for one last time this season |
And finally to my Maker. To the Big Guy up in the sky, I thank
you for making me realize I can still write. Maybe this blogging gig can lead to
something else. I want to thank you for reviving my hoop dreams once again, I
know that basketball is my first love and I will not stop until I make a name
for myself in this field.
Of course, I would love it if I can help with the resurgence
of the one and only school team I will cheer for as long as I live, the UP
Fighting Maroons!
Salamat sa lahat ng mga nagbasa and hopefully I can continue
doing this until I reach my hoop dream, that is to help the UP Maroons Men’s Basketball
Team get that championship once again.
Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Matatapang, Matatalino, Walang
Takot kahit kanino. Hinding-hindi magpapahuli, ganyan kaming mga taga-UP!
P.S.
May pahabol pa pala ako. Stay tuned for the “An Interview
with Mark Lopez” post coming soon.
UP Fight! UP Win! UP Pride! Till next season guys!
(Credit to the UP Fighting Maroons fan page and Interaktv.com for the pictures)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Tamaraws charge at Maroons to grab a share of second place
 |
| Graduating team captain Silungan did his best but still came up short in another UP loss |
This storyline is getting too old
already this season.
Much like what the Linkin Park song “In the
End” says, the Maroons “tried so hard and got so far, but in the end it doesn’t
even matter. “
The UP Fighting Maroons played well enough
for the whole game only to lose again in the end, a 67-63 setback to the FEU
Tamaraws for their 12th loss in 13 outings. The Morayta five on the
other hand ties idle UST and improves to 9-3 to strengthen their bid for a
twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The loss also automatically assures
that the Maroons finish dead last in the standings again this year.
Roger Pogoy continued his impressive play
towards the homestretch after hitting his career high in their previous game
against UE. Pogoy, who praised God above all else in his pre-game interview,
scattered 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a game where both Terrence
Romeo and RR Garcia did not shoot the ball well. More importantly, the Cebu
native hit two all-important freethrows less than a minute left that helped
seal the tightly contested game in FEU’s favor.
The first quarter saw both teams performing
efficiently in both ends of the floor. Pogoy and Mark Bringas starred for the
Tams early on scoring four points each. Alvin Padilla carried the fight for the
Maroons with two highlight plays, a steal of an inbounds pass plus an and-one
conversion and a great assist to Alinko Mbah for a lay-in to end the first
quarter with UP ahead, 18-16.
Things began getting sloppy for both teams
in the second quarter as FEU missed their freethrows and UP unable to convert
on their outside attempts. There was also a sequence wherein three straight
shot clock violations were called by the referees, one for the Maroons and two
for the Tams.
Romeo then broke the ice hitting a
transition three over Mike Silungan. UP’s Fil-Am captain eventually returned
the favor, getting a rare four point opportunity in the ensuing possession
after an unsportsmanlike foul called on Pogoy. Silungan missed the freethrow
and UP wasn’t able to convert on their extra possession.
The Tams were able to tie it at 34-all at
the half after two freethrow conversions by Pogoy off a Silungan foul. However,
it was Silungan who delivered for UP in the second quarter, with 10 points, six
coming from beyond the arc. Pogoy led all FEU scorers with 10 points as well.
Jelo Montecastro dictated the tempo to
start the second half after not playing entirely in the first. He stole the
ball from Romeo to break the deadlock and would score five more points on two
daredevil drives and a bonus freethrow. Montecastro’s exploits had UP leading
by six, 43-37, halfway through the third period.
 |
| Garcia starred in a third quarter run that put FEU up by five going to the fourth |
Then Garcia decided to take over his team.
At the three-minute mark of the third, the former UAAP MVP scored six straight
points to turn a 45-42 deficit into a 48-45 lead for the Tams.
Silungan’s two freethrows restored a little
order for the Maroons but a surprise trey from Russell Escoto extended FEU’s
advantage to 51-47. Jett Manuel would go one out of three after being fouled
beyond the arc, while Escoto and Arvie Bringas would both split their charities
for a 53-48 count going into the final frame.
The fourth quarter was marred with two
incidents of unsportsmanlike fouls from FEU. The frst one came from Mac Belo as
he elbowed Padilla after the latter accidentally pulled his shorts when the
former blocked him. The second one came just when Romeo converted on his
and-one opportunity and his team up by seven, 58-51.
Arvie Bringas, who was suspended for two
games because of spitting on Ateneo center Justin Chua, was caught doing
another hooligan-like act on the court after he elbowed Diony Hipolito in the
face while going for a rebound. This happened after Bringas promised to FEU
courtside reporter Judy Saril in an interview before the game that the UAAP
will see a nicer Bringas from now on.
UP used this as a springboard to launch a
5-0 run featuring two inside stabs by Chris Ball and the lead trimmed down to
two, 58-56. Pogoy answered with a fastbreak layup to put FEU ahead by four
again but the gutsy Padilla had other things in mind. The graduating guard
exploded for five straight points to give UP the lead, 61-60 with five minutes
left in the game.
After Romeo’s two charities gave back FEU
the lead, the Maroons mapped out a play that led to Raul Soyud’s floater for
their last taste of the lead 63-62.
FEU’s first round “hero” against UP,
Anthony Hargrove, came up big again for the Tams in a non-controversial way as
the American center scored on a putback of a Garcia miss giving his team a
64-63 lead.
The ensuing possessions were lackluster for
both teams as Soyud set an illegal screen in the next sequence, Romeo shot an
ill-advised three and finally Padilla turned the ball over. Romeo set-up Pogoy at the baseline and the
forward was fouled and eventually madetwo crucial freethrows to put the Tams
ahead by three, 66-63.
Ball missed an easy lay-in that would’ve
cut the lead to a single point and just when things looked bleak for UP, they
get another crack to put the game into overtime after Terrence Romeo turned the
ball over with 25 seconds left.
Manuel and Silungan were able to launch
Hail Mary threes but to no avail. Garcia put the game away with yet another
split from the line for a 67-63 final score.
It was again a matter of who wanted it more
in this game as the Maroons who played with almost no pressure in this game
could not convert in the end after taking the lead in the closing minutes. FEU
used a 5-0 run to end the game and proved that they were the better team.
Also not helping the Maroons’ cause were
the second half missed freethrows when they went four out of 10, compared to
seven of eight in the first. They were also badly outshot (49% against 36%) and
outrebounded (46 against 27) by the more athletic Tamaraws.
FEU finished the game with a 15-for-27
freethrow clip to UP’s 11-for-18. To the Maroons credit, they had a eight less
turnovers than FEU (14 against 22) and lead the points of turnovers department
(19 against 14)
UP plays this season’s host National
University to end their season 75 campaign this Sunday, September 16. FEU still
has two assignments left, versus DLSU and the replay of their controversial
match against NU on September 23.
Notes:
 |
| From L-R: Mark Juruena, Mo Gingerich and Tata Marata will wear their UP jerseys again next season |
UP Team B players Mark Juruena and Moriah
Gingerich, transferee Tata Marata and alumnus Josant Cervantes was in
attendance.
Silungan and Padilla led the scoring for
the Maroons with 12 and 11 respectively.
Romeo had 13 points and five rebounds.
Garcia finished with 11 points, eight scored in an important third quarter run.
This is the only time this season that the
games were played at the ULTRA/ PSC Arena.
(Credit to the GMA News website and the UP Fighting Maroons Fan Page in Facebook for the pictures)
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Familiar Storyline: Maroons devoured by Tigers after leading for most of the game
(An open letter of a UP MBT loyalist to our MBT for
the last two games and next season)
 |
| The Tigers went on a tear again in the final quarter to sink the Maroons |
Mark Lopez stole the ball after a lousy
inbound pass from Tata Bautista about 20 seconds left in the game. The outcome
was not in doubt though as the UST Growling Tigers came back from the grave
again, mounting another comeback to plummet the UP Fighting Maroons further at
the bottom.
Lopez wasn’t able to convert on his first
attempt though. Then he and Jett Manuel tried consecutive putbacks to no avail.
When Lopez got the rebound again he took his time to get his shot off but was
fouled in the process. But unfortunately, as it was observed for majority
of the game, there was no foul called.
Or maybe it was just me who thought so
as I screamed at the top of my lungs even with the little voice I have left and
said, “Tang-ina mo ref, tumawag ka naman ng foul. Dinudugo na player namin wala pa rin!” My friend Trish Miranda even had to restrain me after thinking I would go after the referee and start a fight.
The people all around looked at me, seeing
how frustrated I am at how this game’s outcome unfolded. UP was up by seven
going into the fourth quarter and look positioned at winning their second game
of the season. It was how the game was officiated in the fourth that I felt did it again for the Maroons.
 |
| Abdul killed us inside the paint once again |
Ok, so maybe it just wasn’t the refs for us to blame. However, I still believe that majority of the breaks were against UP
in this game, a trend that I have also observed in the other games I’ve watched
(the Hargove goaltend and the phantom fouls called against us versus Ateneo to
name a few).
But let me go back to poise, endgame poise
for that matter.
This has been the missing ingredient all
season long. Something that the Fighting Maroons could’ve had that would’ve
translated to maybe seven wins already this season.
How many times have the Maroons come back
from a big deficit and even lead at the latter part of the game but still end
up losing? How many times were they ahead through the first 30-35 minutes of the
game only to lose in the end? How many times did they have a chance to win a
game with a big shot but missed on the opportunity?
If there was one time that the Maroons
displayed poise this season, it was in their lone win against UE when they answered every
run thrown at them by the Red Warriors in the waning minutes of the game.
Call it how you may want it, crunch time
composure, intestinal fortitude, a finishing kick or the heart/ will to win. These
basketball traits are what the Maroons need to have in order to regain their
relevance in the UAAP basketball wars.
 |
| These three guys (Cervantes, Almeda and Ibanes) almost led UP to a Final Four appearance in season 67 |
The last time they had these characteristics,
UP almost went to the Final Four in season 67 of the UAAP. Back in that season,
the Maroons had tried, tested and graduating warriors like Toti Almeda, Josant Cervantes
and Jireh Ibanes to lead the team.
After a 0-6 start to the season, this edition
of the Fighting Maroons beat the crap out of every single team in the second
round except for La Salle (to whom they lost in controversial fashion). After
losing their first six assignments, they won over National University to cap
off the first round and then ran over powerhouse teams like Ateneo and FEU in
the second.
It was too bad that the breaks did not go
their way in that La Salle match-up after winning six straight. They were at
6-6 that time but DLSU and the referees were having their way. Mac Cardona did
what he did best, being an asshole on the court, leading to the ejection of the
mild mannered Almeda and giving away the Maroons’ chances to win the game.
UP was able to end their campaign with another
win against NU to have an overachieving 7-7 win-loss record that season.
Anyway, back to the present reality.
It was actually all downhill for the team after
that season, with two 0-14 seasons as proof.
It’s actually painful for a UP basketball
loyalist like me to hear things like, “See you sa Cheerdance,” or “Exam na lang
ang laban” and “UP Fighting but not WINNING Maroons.” These are just actually a
few examples of what people say about the UP Maroons being bad in terms of
basketball.
Ok, I know that UP is not an institution
that prioritizes dominance in sports over academics and that UP is among the
few (if not the only) schools that observe what the term Student-Athlete
actually means. Still, it wouldn’t hurt if the men’s basketball team can close
out half of their games in a season
 |
| Silungan will say goodbye to UP soon |
This will serve as inspiration for the guys
that will be back next year to continue the fight for the Maroons and the whole
UP community backing them up. Henry Asilum and Chris Ball have shown flashes of
brilliance and would probably be a good one-two tandem for the next years to
come. Transferee Raul Soyud will provide the veteran leadership this team needs
together with ace shooter Manuel.
Paolo Romero, JR Gallarza and Julius Wong
will certainly be back next year to provide quality minutes together with
returning players Mikee Reyes, Mark Juruena and Moriah Gingerich. Sure to
provide a boost next year will be “prodigal son” Tata Marata, who is returning
to his roots after playing his first three years in college for DLSU. Youngster
Kyle Suarez, a vital piece of this year’s RP Under-18 National team that
competed in the FIBA Asia U-18 tournament in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, will also be
called upon to provide spark to a rebuilding line-up next year.
 |
| Manuel will likely be the main outside threat next season |
Observing the needs we have to address for
next year, a tall, athletic center that can protect the paint and rebounds well
(Ball somehow fits the rebounding part but lacks consistency in interior
defense) is the main piece we have to secure as well as a tall pointguard who
can run the transition offense smoothly (ala Montecastro).
We also hope that Coach Ricky Dandan and
his staff will be back next year. They have shown commitment in improving our
basketball program for the last two years even if the win-loss record does not
indicate so.
For the UP MBT fans, I believe a lot of
them are tired of supporting a team that doesn’t even win a quarter of their
games. However, there are still those who would stick with this team win or
lose.
 |
| Marata will try to fill in Silungan's shoes |
I believe it’s just a matter of having just
a solid system and an improved recruitment process in place in order for UP to
succeed in the men’s basketball tournament again. Some financial help from successful alumni would also go a long way, as long as they’re helping just to
help the team out and not have any hidden agenda on the side.
I’m pretty sure that if the UP Fighting
Maroons become relevant in the men’s basketball tournament again, Araneta
Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena and other playing venues will be jampacked with
the color maroon all over the place.
Here’s to hoping that this dream comes true
for State U in the coming seasons.
UP Fight and UP Win!
|
Graduating Players
|
Playing next year
|
||||||
|
#
|
Position
|
Name
|
Position
|
Status
|
Name
|
||
|
4
|
PG
|
Mike Gamboa
|
PG
|
Returnee
|
Mikee Reyes
|
||
|
5
|
PG/SG
|
Robby Weirzba
|
G/F
|
Transferee- DLSU
|
Tata Marata
|
||
|
7
|
C
|
Alinko Mbah
|
G/F
|
Returnee
|
Moriah Gingerich
|
||
|
8
|
PF
|
Diony Hipolito
|
G/F
|
Rookie- Ateneo
|
Kyle Suarez
|
||
|
11
|
G/F
|
Mark Lopez
|
F/C
|
Returnee
|
Mark Juruena
|
||
|
12
|
G/F
|
Alvin Padilla
|
|||||
|
17
|
PG
|
Jelo Montecastro
|
Current UP Depth Chart for Season 76
|
||||
|
21
|
G/F
|
Mike Silungan
|
Position
|
Player
|
|||
|
PG
|
Henry Asilum
|
Mikee Reyes
|
|
||||
|
Holdovers
|
SG
|
Jett Manuel
|
Tata Marata
|
Julius Wong
|
|||
|
#
|
Position
|
Name
|
SF
|
Tata Marata
|
Kyle Suarez
|
Moriah Gingerich
|
|
|
6
|
SG
|
Jett Manuel
|
PF
|
Raul Soyud
|
Paolo Romero
|
Mark Juruena
|
|
|
10
|
F/C
|
JR Gallarza
|
C
|
Chris Ball
|
JR Gallarza
|
Mark Juruena
|
|
|
13
|
F/C
|
Raul Soyud
|
|||||
|
14
|
PG
|
Henry Asilum
|
|||||
|
18
|
C
|
Chris Ball
|
|||||
|
19
|
PF
|
Paolo Romero
|
|||||
|
20
|
SG
|
Julius Wong
|
|||||
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