Sport: Tams raging for redemption

Tams raging for redemption

By Michael Angelo Jugado

Student Trainer

After five years, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws opened its bid to reclaim lost glory with an astounding 4-0 start in UAAP season 73.

With sensational sophomore Ryan Roose Garcia slowly becoming Far Eastern's go-to-guy, filling the shoes of departed controversial guard Mark Andy Barroca, and with highly-touted rookie Terrance Romeo living up to his billing, the boys from Morayta seem to be invincible.

Add to that the development of Smart Gilas standouts Aldrech Ramos and JR Cawaling plus the imposing inside presence of Reil Cervantes, Pippo Noundou and Mark Bringas and you get a shoo-in for the first finals slot, if not the crown, for this season.

It was in 2005 which the Tamaraws last tasted the crown, with then " King Tamaraw" Arwind Santos steering FEU to the top via a sweep against the Mac Cardona-Joseph Yeo duo of De La Salle University.

Their first game was a testament that they are for real and not just strong on paper.

Glenn Capacio and his wards stunned back-to-back defending champions Ateneo in a nail-biting 72-69 victory as the Zamboanga-native Garcia tied his career-high 25 points and delivered treys down the stretch that left the Morayta faithful upbeat on their chances this year to unseat the Blue and White.

Of course, no one could be happier than Capacio, a sharp-shooting guard in his PBA heydays, watching his team doing a Houdini act at the expense of a gritty but weary Ateneo unit. "Super" was the only word the ex-Purefoods and Mobiline ace could utter.

While the 5'9" super-sophie Garcia, a former RP youth team stalwart, said "Ako yung leader ng team, so kailangan kong maging good example sa kanila."

The chemistry of this rejuvenated unit was evident in their 91-81 win over a struggling UE Red Warriors, in which they halted the red-hot Paul Lee en route to their third straight triumph.

They proved to their last season's Final Four tormentors that "tomorrow begins in the FAR EAST"

After that banner year in 2005, the Tams missed the Final Four the next season --- a painful setback for this school known to be a perennial title contender, producing big names in the pros like Johnny Abbarientos, Santos and Jonas Villanueva.

They endured criticisms but buckled down to work as Capacio entered the fray and made it to the next three seasons only to be waylaid by hungrier quintets.

This time, though, FEU has all the pieces to be the UAAP champions once more.

Sport: FaculTech, Varsity renew rivalry next week

Hawks, Lions lock horns next week
Cubs, Freshmen-Sophomore squads face off in Pep Rally

By Alexandra Jessica Esponga
Sports Editor

The new-look FaculTech Black Hawks and the rechristened JCA Roaring Lions (formerly the Doves) rekindle their rivalry Wednesday next week in this school year's first exhibition match between the squads.

The high school varsity team, mentored by Physical Education teacher Darwin dela Torre, faces off with the crew made up of teachers, technical staff and some guest players at the JCSGO Seed Dome in the start of a series of matches that will go throughout the year.

Likewise, the game will serve as a tune-up for the Roaring Lions, who are set to make waves in the upcoming Quezon City Athletic Association hoops wars, which kicks off August 14.

Game time is at 4:15 pm to be preceded by a battle between the JCA Roaring Cubs (grade school varsity) and a Freshman-Sophomore selection at 3:15 pm.

According to Supreme Student Government adviser Josiah Israel Albelda, these games will serve as some sort of "pep rally" for the varsity teams as they hope to erase the stigma of failed seasons past and look forward to a fruitful year for sports in JCA.

Tickets will be sold starting Friday at Php 20.00. For inquiries, look for Sir Dela Torre, Danielle Nakpil, Alexx Esponga and Darah Urbano (High School) and Sir Janmark Fuerte, Danah Pagulayan and Keziah Remojo (Grade School.)

The event is sponsored by the High School SSG, in cooperation with the High School Department, the Grade School Department, and the Sports Club.

PBA Semifinals Game 1

Texters, panis sa Aces

Ni Leandre Bullet Sarte

Associate Editor - Filipino

Hindi nagpakita ng senyales ng panghihina ang Alaska Aces matapos bumalik sa laro pagdating ng ikatlong yugto ng laro kontra Talk and Text Tropang Texters, 104 - 88, kagabi sa kanilang PBA semifinals series Game 1 sa Araneta Coliseum.

Galing sa isang malaubos-kukong laro ang Aces sa Ginebra Kings noong Linggo ngunit sa kabila nito'y hindi nakitaan ng pagkapagod ang koponan ni Tim Cone.

Biglang nag-init ang veteran Alaska forward na si Reynel Hugnatan sa ikatlong kanto at tumapos ng may 16 points sa 7-of-9 field goal shooting.

"We just want to send them a message," ani Hugnatan.

Nagkaroon ng palitan ng puntos ang dalawa buong laro ngunit mas nanaig ang Aces dahil na rin sa double-digit scoring ng limang Alaska players.

Pinamalas ng Aces at ng Tropang Texters ang kani-kanilang team games at halos dikit pagkatapos ng unang tupi ng laro, 26 - 20, para sa Talk N' Text.

Hindi umurong ang dalawa at ipinagpatuloy ang palitan ng lamang pagdating ng ikalawang hati ng laro ngunit lamang pa rin ang Texters, 46 - 42.

Unti-unti namang ibinaon ng Alaska ang Talk N' Text sa fourth quarter sa likod ni Hugnatan upang tuluyan nang manaig, 104 - 88.

Pinangunahan ni Ranidel de Ocampo at Mac Cardona ang Texters nang magsama sa 37 puntos sa kanilang losing effort.