Complete Pido Jarencio's Post-Game Statement After Game 1 of the UAAP Finals

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Coach Pido Jarencio of UST can be classified as one of the most outspoken coaches in modern-day college basketball, but we never saw or heard him be this disappointed, until how Game 1 of the UAAP Finals between his Tigers and the Ateneo Blue Eagles turned out (Ateneo won, 83-78). During the post-game press conference, he uttered these words:

“Ako diretsa ako makipagusap. Hindi naman patas yung tawagan. Sobra naman yun."

“Umakyat pa nga ako sa kanila. Sabi ko maging fair tayo sa mga decision natin."

“I’m not against Ateneo. Pero bakit ganun? Unfair naman sa min, dahil UST lang kami ganun ang tawagan? Sana ayusin nila. Kundi baka magkaroon ng people power dito."

“Sa akin, basta kami nag-e-enjoy lang kami. We enjoy the game. Ako positive ako sa team namin. Binigyan namin ng magandang laban ang Ateneo. Pero wag naman ganun. Sa atin lang, parehas naman tayo lumaban. Sana kung tinuturuan ko yung mga player na saktan mo ito. Saktan mo iyan, duraan mo ito, duraan mo iyan. Tayo fair and square ang laban natin. Yung mga players, kaya mahal ako niyan at kaya mahal ko rin sila, kung ano yung tinuro ko, yun ang nilalabas nila. Walang kalokohan. Walang bahid na pagdududa sa mga tinuturo ko. Kaya yung mga players ang puso buong buo."

“Kaso ayan na naman tayo. Let the players decide."

“Andun na iyun eh. Tinawagan rin si Karim ng mga fouls dun eh. Eh tuloy ‘di na nakaporma yung mga bata. Basta ako vino-voice out ko lang sa inyo. Never in my seven years na nag-co-coach ako sa UAAP na nagvoice out ako against the referees. Kaya lang bakit ganyan."

“Second coming. Tapos na nung elimination, may pangalawa na naman. Ganito na naman. Nakakasawa rin."

“Ang sinasabi ko, ‘Ok, tapusin natin ang laro. Eh tumawag kayo ng foul kay Teng eh, ‘di tatlong free throw yun, pa-free-throw-in niyo, kahit walang oras. Tapusin natin ng maayos lahat. Eh ba’t guilty sila? Ayaw nila tapusin."

“‘Coach, technical ka.’ Bakit eh nagwala ka may free throw pa. Paano mo ko i-technical eh wala nang oras? Titira na lang yung bata, si Teng. ‘Di pa nila binigay yun. Ako, bahala sila kung ano desisyon na ibibigay nila sa akin. Ako sinasabi ko lang yung totoo."

“Kailangan ba mag-e-English ako para paburan ako? Ganun ba labanan dito? Hindi totoo. Nasa Pilipinas tayo dapat tayong mga Pilipino mahalin niyang mga iyan."

“No, walang complaint. Basta ako umakyat ako, bumunot ako ng referee as sinabi ko sa kanila. Physical game ito Let the players decide the game not the referees."

“Ba’t hindi, eh nagpapakamatay yung mga bata. ‘Di ba lumamang pa kami ng isa. Lamang sila 10, ‘di kami bumitaw?"

“Ang ninipis ng tawag, ang kakapal ng mukha. Sana marinig lang din nila ako. Eh kasi naaawa ako sa mga estudyante babayad 250, pipila madaling araw. Ala una ng madaling araw nandyan na para mapanood lang kami. Mapanood Ateneo-UST game tapos gaganunin lang. De-deprive kami ng fair officiating. Bahala na sila. Ma-ko-konsensya din yang lintik na yun.”

Credits: InterAksyon.com

Jose Rizal the Athlete

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In line with the UAAP Finals between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UST Growling Tigers, I will share to you some things sports fans don't know about both the two universities' most prominent alumnus, our national hero Jose Rizal. Many describe him as an author, a doctor, a philanthropist, and a revolutionary. But only a few know, and they're not even true sports fanatics, that Rizal is one heck of a sportsman when he was still alive.

Living with his prominent friends in Europe, Rizal learned the game of fencing, at the time a sport for the rich. Oscar Lopez even got a picture of Rizal and Juan Luna of the Spolarium artwork fame playing one-on-one.

 

Rizal also learned its local counterpart, arnis. He was also a chess master. In fact, before Eugene Torre and Wesley So became too mainstream, Rizal was among the best Filipino players in the game. Because he was all around Europe, I can presume he knew the sport of soccer as well. If he was not gunned down in 1896, maybe we can find some unearthed articles about his rivalry with the pre-Azkals legend Paulino Alcantara (What if Rizal joined Real Madrid? Hey! It's the Clasico on Monday!).

Almost nobody knows as well that Rizal was a good gunslinger. In fact, you can find a specimen of one of Rizal's guns, the Smith & Wesson no.3 revolver, more popularly known as the Magnificent, at the AFP Museum at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. If you still doubt about it, read El Filibusterismo, especially the part where Simoun, aka Crisostomo Ibarra of Noli Me Tangere aka Jose Rizal's alter ego, showed his gun to Tales. Fili was written at the time Rizal's still learning in the game.

But what's so cool about Rizal is that he also learned the game of judo. Former Philippine Amateur Judo Association president Rey Jaylo, in an interview with Eddie Alinea of PhilBoxing.com, even said that Rizal was the first Southeast Asian ever to master the art of the Japanese sport. So just think if Rizal is alive to this date. He might give us an Olympic gold or even dominate the PXC and the UFC because he's also knowledgeable in boxing! He even put up gyms in the cities of Calamba and Dapitan, which became the start of various judo grassroots programs there. No wonder why you should not mess up with the people in these cities.

Tough luck that basketball came to the Philippines in 1905, nine years after Rizal's execution at Luneta. But assuming he wasn't gunned down, he would have brought the game here earlier and would have become one of the premier point guards then. Anyway, these only show that our national hero also loved sports. He valued the Filipinos' physical abilities as much as he valued nationalism. Truly, Jose Rizal is a sports legend.

Repeat or Revenge?

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It's Ateneo vs. UST once again in the UAAP Finals! The Blue Eagles and the Growling Tigers collide again in one of the biggest stages in college basketball. In the battle between a dominating force and the comeback kings, both the two squads prove their might in the UAAP.

History: This is their first meeting in the UAAP Finals since the dramatic 2006 Finals that saw one of the biggest upsets in UAAP Finals history as the unheralded Tigers featuring a rookie coach named Pido Jarencio and a bunch of nobodies stunned the heavily favored Eagles squad of Norman Black, JC Intal, and Doug Kramer.

What Now: Ateneo finished their elimination round campaign with a 12-2 card, but one of the two losses came against UST in the first round. UST, on the other hand, was the team of fight backs during the season, scoring come-from-behind victories almost all-season long. Both the Eagles and the Tigers wasted no time in setting up their Finals showdown by beating La Salle and NU respectively in the Final 4 right in Game 1.

Key Match-Up: Kiefer Ravena vs. Aljon Mariano-Both Ravena and Mariano have taken the role of go-to guys for the year. Ravena, despite slightly dipped numbers from last year, never failed to contribute for Ateneo, while Aljon Mariano, a cinch for the Most Improved Player Award, is UST's endgame warrior with his brilliant performance at the clutch.

Fearless Forecast: I think I made a mistake in saying that if there's one team that can beat Ateneo, that's La Salle. I almost forgot UST there. If UST continues to show brilliance on the court, they can spoil Norman Black's farewell. It could go a Game 3, depending on which Ateneo will show up on Saturday. Which team you got?

My Butch Maniego Story

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I was not able to meet Butch Maniego personally. Maybe seeing him doing his job as PBL and PBA D-League director, yes, but not in a manner in which I'll introduce myself to him. I was just surprised when I found out that he's a UP alumnus, all because of the Taga-UP Diliman Ka Kung group. But from a TV viewer's perspective, Butch is someone that you would love bringing the news to you.

The first time I saw Butch on TV was when he was still in the PBA broadcast during the 90's. I think he was just a courtside reporter then. I was just a kid then, so it's just like "Wala lang. I'll just watch our San Mig Coffee (then Purefoods) play." But comparing the young Maniego to today's UAAP and NCAA courtside reporters (when it was still with ABSCBN), I was like, "ABSCBN should have grabbed the NCAA and UAAP TV rights earlier. He's a perfect fit to be UP's courtside reporter." In fact, he could be assigned to any team. He's a genius in the game. I don't know if he played some basketball for the Fighting Maroons, but it seemed like he knows everything, from the players to the coaches and even to the playing system. WOW!

Speaking of ABSCBN, he would still land a spot with ABSCBN Sports. First, he became one of the first broadcasters of the MBA. That's where I began to follow him more. Now doing the play-by-play color commentating, I was like, "Hey! Butch Maniego can run the entire show by himself!" He researched everything about the two teams properly. He knew what to say. He can ad lib when the other anchor's mic is being fixed or if he's yet to return from the break. I could count Butch as a quintessential sportscaster.

After the MBA disbanded, Butch Maniego remained with ABSCBN Sports, calling the shots for the NCAA, but even if they place him at the UAAP, that would be fine. Hey! Why not cover both the two leagues? His good credentials as a Mr. Basketball landed him a directorial job at the PBL, which was the predecessor to the D-League, where he would also serve as tournament director. You would see from the games themselves that Butch is also doing a great job.

It's so sad that the sports media industry lost a legend. Butch Maniego brought to us what we need to know about the game of basketball. It's so sad that he needed to go. From the traditional media to the budding social sports media industries, they consider Butch as a "basketball geek", a mentor, and a friend. Thanks for inspiring us to write sports articles. Thanks for inspiring us to play basketball more passionately. See you up there!

Heads-Up Battle: Kaholeros vs. Ultras Filipinas

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In the Philippines, you usually hear the loud drumbeats and the louder noise of cheering squads in college basketball games, but in Europe, if you're hearing similar chants, you might be watching a live soccer match. That's something these two pep squads would want to infuse in our minds. With the rise to power of the Philippine Azkals in the international stage and the UFL to the pro soccer scene, don't be surprised if you will hear them shout it out loud to pep the players out. However, they have become the subjects of debates from not just the hardcore soccer fanatics but also by other sports geeks out there. The debate took the short cut to the boiling point during the Philippine Football Peace Cup won by the Azkals. So let's settle the score here.

Tale of the Tape

Name: Kaholeros

Age: I don't know

Height: I don't know

Weight: I don't know

Claim to Fame: The first Azkals Pep Squad

First up, the Kaholeros. They were formed soon after the Azkals' claim to fame, their impressive showing in the AFF Suzuki Cup featuring their 2-0 thrashing of Vietnam. They were everywhere during the games, especially when the national team plays at home. What's more cool about them: they also care for the environment. They bring in empty 5-gallon water bottles, putting water in some of them to create better sound effects, and use them as drums. You would usually see them at the non-roofed side of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Everyone now calls them the official Azkals pep squad...

Name: Ultras Filipinas

Age: I don't know

Height: I don't know

Weight: I don't know

Claim to Fame: The other Azkals Pep Squad

Wait! Who the heck are these guys with scarfs, louder voices, and a lot of swag? I don't know when the Ultras Filipinas really started, but the first time I saw them was during the FIFA Friendly battle between the Azkals and Indonesia. And these guys want to pep the crowd way before the kickoff. From the Torre Lorenzo along the intersection of Taft and Ocampo Avenues, the Ultras marched to the Rizal Memorial Football Field beating their lone drum and chanting their lungs out. Formed out of most members of the UFL pep squads of Kaya and Air Force and some from the other pep squads, They're one in boosting the Azkals' morale. Slowly but surely, they've become more noticed. Now, more people joined, even bringing along their own instruments, and the Ultras became wilder. Even Ebong Joson, the PFF official more popularly known as the blue-haired fan, liked Ultras a lot. What's so cool about them: Despite cheering too much for the Azkals, they still pay respect for the other teams. In fact, they even pepped the Taiwanese team during their Peace Cup game against, guess who, the Azkals!

Shakey's V-League Open Conference Semifinals Preview

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The 2012 Shakey's V-League Open Conference is nearing its conclusion, and four teams remain in the hunt for the Second Conference title. Defending champions Army will battle it out with three collegiate teams for the Open Tournament championship as the semifinals begin today.

(1)Sandugo-San Sebastian vs. (4)Ateneo

Before he leaves San Sebastian (for a while), Coach Roger Go-
rayeb will steer his Lady Stags, representing Sandugo Sandals,
to a Finals berth against his other team, Ateneo

It's mentor versus students in one Final 4 showdown as Ateneo Lady Eagles head coach Roger Gorayeb will take charge of his other team, the Sandugo-San Sebastian Lady Conquerors as they on no less than the Lady Eagles, coached  for the meantime by Parley Tupaz. In what could be the send-off of the Lady Conquerors, aka the Lady Stags, to Gorayeb, who will be serving the front-end of his two-year ban to coach Baste in the NCAA tournament starting this November, the top-seeds will give their all against the Lady Eagles, who did not field in an import so that their own preparations for the UAAP wars will become more intense. The key match-up here would be the battle of their respective captains, Joy Benito for Baste and Gretchen Ho for Ateneo. I have Sandugo-San Sebastian via sweep.

(2)Army vs. (3)Cagayan-UPHSD

It's champion vs. champion in the other semifinals
affair as defending champs Army take on the NCAA
champions Cagayan-Perpetual Help.

The other semifinal battle pits off the Cagayan-Perpetual Help Rising Suns and the star-studded Army Lady Troopers, the lone non-collegiate team in the semis. However, the Rising Suns, aka the Lady Altas, must remember that the Lady Troopers are the champions in this tournament, so Coach Mike Rafael must remind his girls to step up if they, the reigning NCAA champions, want to snatch a huge upset against Army. The key match-up here is the blockbuster showdown between Jheck-Jheck Dionela and Rachel Anne Daquis. I have Army in two as well.

2013 PBA Philippine Cup Schedule

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The 2013 PBA Season is about to unfold, and the schedule for the Philippine Cup has been unveiled. Mark your calendars, homies!

September 30 (Quezon City, MM)

6:00 PM-Ginebra vs. GlobalPort

October 3 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Air21 vs. Barako Bull

7:30 PM-Petron vs. Rain Or Shine

October 5 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Meralco vs. Talk 'n Text

7:30 PM-San Mig Coffee vs. Alaska

October 7 (Quezon City, MM)
4:00 PM-GlobalPort vs. Air21

6:30 PM-Rain Or Shine vs. Ginebra

October 10 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Alaska vs. Meralco

7:30 PM-Barako Bull vs. Petron

October 12 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Talk 'n Text vs. GlobalPort

7:30 PM-Air21 vs. Rain Or Shine

October 13 (Digos City, DDS)

6:30 PM-Meralco vs. Ginebra

October 14 (Quezon City, MM)

4:00 PM-Barako Bull vs. Alaska

6:30 PM-Petron vs. San Mig Coffee

October 17 (TBA)

5:00 PM-GlobalPort vs. Meralco

7:30 PM-Talk 'n Text vs. Air21

October 19 (TBA)

5:00 PM-Alaska vs. Petron

7:30 PM-Ginebra vs. Barako Bull

October 20 (TBA)

5:30 PM-Rain Or Shine vs. GlobalPort

8:00 PM-San Mig Coffee vs. Talk 'n Text

October 21 (TBA)

4:00 PM-Air21 vs. Meralco

6:30 PM-Petron vs. Ginebra

October 24 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Barako Bull vs. Talk 'n Text

7:30 PM-Rain Or Shine vs. San Mig Coffee

October 26 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Alaska vs. Air21

7:30 PM-GlobalPort vs. Petron

October 27 (Victorias City, NOC)

6:30 PM-Talk 'n Text vs. Rain Or Shine

October 28 (Quezon City, MM)

4:00 PM-San Mig Coffee vs. Barako Bull

6:30 PM-Ginebra vs. Alaska

October 31 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-GlobalPort vs. San Mig Coffee

7:30 PM-Barako Bull vs. Meralco

November 2 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Petron vs. Air21

7:30 PM-Alaska vs. Talk 'n Text

November 4 (Quezon City, MM)

2:30 PM-Barako Bull vs. GlobalPort

5:00 PM-Meralco vs. Rain Or Shine

7:30 PM-San Mig Coffee vs. Ginebra

November 7 (Quezon City, MM)
5:00 PM-Rain Or Shine vs. Alaska

7:30 PM-Talk 'n Text vs. Petron

November 9 (TBA)

5:00 PM-Air21 vs. Barako Bull

7:30 PM-Ginebra vs. GlobalPort

November 10 (Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu)

6:30 PM-Alaska vs. San Mig Coffee

November 11 (Pasay City, MM)

4:00 PM-Meralco vs. Petron

6:30 PM-Talk 'n Text vs. Ginebra

November 14 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Air21 vs. Alaska

7:30 PM-Petron vs. Rain Or Shine

November 16 (TBA)

5:00 PM-San Mig Coffee vs. Barako Bull

7:30 PM-Meralco vs. Talk 'n Text

November 17 (Tubod, LDN)

6:30 PM-Rain Or Shine vs. Air21

November 18 (Quezon City, MM)

4:00 PM-GlobalPort vs. Petron

6:30 PM-Alaska vs. Ginebra

November 21 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Meralco vs. Rain Or Shine

7:30 PM-Talk 'n Text vs. San Mig Coffee

November 23 (TBA)

5:00 PM-GlobalPort vs. Meralco

7:30 PM-San Mig Coffee vs. Air21

November 24 (TBA)

6:30 PM-Petron vs. Barako Bull

November 25 (Quezon City, MM)

4:00 PM-Air21 vs. Talk 'n Text

6:30 PM-Ginebra vs. Rain Or Shine

November 28 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-Meralco vs. Alaska

7:30 PM-Talk 'n Text vs. Petron

November 30 (TBA)

5:00 PM-Barako Bull vs. Meralco

7:30 PM-Air21 vs. Ginebra

December 1 (Dipolog City, ZDN)

6:30 PM-Alaska vs. GlobalPort

December 2 (Quezon City, MM)

4:00 PM-Ginebra vs. Barako Bull

6:30 PM-Rain Or Shine vs. San Mig Coffee

December 5 (Quezon City, MM)

5:00 PM-GlobalPort vs. Air21

7:30 PM-Petron vs. Alaska

December 7 (TBA)

5:00 PM-Barako Bull vs. Rain Or Shine

7:30 PM-San Mig Coffee vs. GlobalPort

December 9 (Quezon City, MM)

4:00 PM-Meralco vs. San Mig Coffee

6:30 PM-Talk 'n Text vs. Ginebra

Schedule is subject to change without prior notice. All games labeled TBA will be tentatively played at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City except for the November 16, 23, 24, and 30 TBA games in which the doubleheader on the 16th, 23rd, and the 30th are tentatively scheduled at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and the venue for the lone game on the 24th is to be settled. The Petron-Barako Bull game could either be played in Puerto Princesa City or in Iloilo City. All games will be nationally televised on IBC 13 through its AKTV sports bloc.

Trade Analysis: Barako Bull-Meralco Trade

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Surprise! Jason Ballesteros is going to Barako Bull.

So I missed out something last Tuesday. There was an out-of-my-radar trade that happened that day. The Meralco Bolts gave biggie Jason Ballesteros to the Barako Bull Energy for Sunday Salvacion and Carlo Sharma. This trade came as a surprise because the Bolts lent the services of star center Asi Taulava to the San Miguel Beermen of the ABL the previous week.

1. Barako Bull Energy

Coach Junel Baculi of Barako Bull calls Ballesteros, the Bolts's first round pick last year, a "project player". The former San Sebastian Golden Stag will give the Energy a tall order in preparation for the slam-bang affair with Petron, featuring their own beanpole June Mar Fajardo. Baculi hopes that he and his coaching staff's skill can turn Ballesteros into an effective inside player.

2. Meralco Bolts

As aforementioned, this trade stunned the Meralco fans since it will be likely that Ballesteros will get the starting center spot now that Taulava's off to the ABL. But Ryan Gregorio said during an interview with InterAksyon.com that they will focus on Jay-R Reyes as their starting 5-guy. Well, they got two good players in Sharma, who is known as an efficient defender at the post, and Salvacion, who can shut the lights out from the outside. Gregorio also added that Sharma will be their main defender against Fajardo once Meralco and Petron clash.

Conclusion: Barako Bull clearly won this one. You can't escape from the fact that Salvacion and Sharma are both aging players. While Sunday can still do a "Special", it's not as big as his Ginebra days anymore. Sharma has been journeying from one team to another since leaving the old Barako Bull franchise now named under Air21 because of the other teams's preference of young guns.

Do the Math: UAAP Edition

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With the Ateneo Blue Eagles closing their UAAP ealimination round campaign against the UST Growling Tigers tomorrow, I think it's better to post this Do the Math article now. The Blue Eagles have their eyes on the twice-to-beat advantage come the Final 4, and a win against the Tigers will give Ateneo that semifinal edge. However, that's not the only thing on the line come the final 3 playdays of the elimination round.

1. The PCCL Wildcard Slot

We all know that the college basketball calendar does not end at the NCAA and the UAAP. The Philippine Collegiate Champions League, where the best college teams in the country collide, will cap the colorful varsity hoopfest year. The Final 4 will get automatic slots to the Sweet 16, but the 5th and the 6th place teams can also make the cut if they survive the wildcard playoffs. While we can virtually say that UST and FEU are also in the semifinals, and either La Salle or NU will fall to one of the wildcard playoff slots, the race is on for the other PCCL qualifying berth. As it stands, UE will finish at 6th, but the Red Warriors are just a full game clear of 7th placers Adamson. UE and Adamson will collide tomorrow in what could be the PCCL wildcard berth decider. A win by the Warriors and they will finish 6th no matter what. But if the Soaring Falcons win, the fun begins. If they suffer different fates in their remaining game for each (UE vs. UST and Adamson vs. La Salle, both on Thursday), the one who would win will finish 6th. However, if both the Warriors and the Falcons have the same results (both teams win or both teams lose), the 6th placers will be decided by the head-to-head quotient system. UE currently has a +5 edge over Adamson, so if Adamson only won by at most 4 points, UE will still finish at 6th. If the Falcons blew the Warriors out, i.e., Adamson won by 6 or more, the Falcons will make the PCCL wildcard playoffs. If the Falcons won by exactly 5 points, it will be decided by the overall "goal difference". The team with the better point difference will take 6th, but that will depend on how both UE and Adamson will fare against UST and La Salle respectively. I'm now beginning to believe in UE.

2. The UAAP Final 4 Wildcard Slot

Speaking of La Salle, the Green Archers are currently tied with NU at 4th place with identical 7-5 cards. If they remain tied after their last two games (La Salle vs. FEU on Sunday and Adamson on Thursday; NU vs. UP on Sunday and FEU on the other Sunday), they will clash in a single-game showdown to determine the team that Ateneo will likely face in the semis as it stands. Anything different than that and the team with the better record wins the last Final 4 slot. One thing in common about the two: they will still face FEU. That's where the FEU-NU game that was nullified comes into play. If Ato Badolato's original ruling of counting RR Garcia's buzzer-beater, which was nullified by the UAAP board, was affirmed, NU would have been half-a-game behind La Salle, and the Bulldogs will need to beat the Fighting Maroons to still have a shot. I have NU to finish 4th.

Will UST crush Ateneo the 2nd time around?

3. Who Will Finish at Number 1?

Now, the other thing that comes to our minds regarding the order to replay the FEU-NU game is that how it will mix things up regarding the top 2 Final 4 slots, which will earn twice-to-beat edge. With the one win gone from FEU, the Tamaraws are currently tied with UST at 9-3. If Ateneo beats UST tomorrow, the Blue Eagles will finish at number 1. However, another UST shocker and Ateneo might fall into a possible best-of-3 2nd vs. 3rd semifinal battle. That's because there's a possibility that the three teams finish with identical 11-3 records. If that's the case, the team with the best quotient in their head-to-head will finish first. Currently, Ateneo holds the best quotient with a +18 (pending the Ateneo-UST result). FEU has a +7, while UST pending the Ateneo game, has a -25 quotient. Assuming FEU wins their next assignments, if UST wins by only 11 or less, Ateneo stays at number 1, but a UST win by 12 or more and the Blue Eagles slip to the 2 vs. 3 series. Although a tough climb, UST can still finish at number 1 if they beat Ateneo by at least 33 points. Any UST win with a final margin 11 and 32 points and FEU finishes at number 1. It's still Ateneo.

Trade Rumor Mills: The Project's Not Done Yet

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Just when I thought the PROJECT is done, it was just the first phase. The second phase is about to start. What will happen in Phase 2 is that the PROJECT will be handed over by Team B to Team G. Team G will give a COOL CAT to Team A2. Team B will acquire a RED CAT from Team A2.

The PROJECT was actually given by Team M to Team B in an earlier trade that we missed out. It was Coach B who called this BIG DEER the PROJECT. Now I don't know how the PROJECT will be handled by Coach G. The RED CAT has been well known to be a major bad cat last year. Ironically, he was given a name quite the OPPOSITE OF being a MAJOR headache. The COOL CAT is actually in the trade radar of Coach A2.

The letters represent the first letters of the teams involved, but they're not the first letters of the names of the coaches.

Newbie Gaming: The UFL Cup Format

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Fresh from their championship in the premier league, Global aims for the UFL
Cup this time around.

The 2013 UFL season will officially kick off tomorrow with the start of the UFL Cup. For this season's edition, the UFL made a tweak to the bracketing with consideration to the expansion clubs. If you still don't have an idea of how the Cup will be played, read it on.

First, there will be a "wildcard playoff" pitting off the Division 2 teams and the newly-admitted clubs. Seven teams from Division 2, Forza, Socceroo, Manila All-Japan, UIM, Laos, Dolphins, and Agila, will collide with seven new teams, Internacionale, International PH, Gen. Trias, Sta. Lucia, Atletico Cavite, Blue Guards, and Bright Star, respectively. To measure the new team's competence, the Division 2 teams have twice-to-beat advantage each, so for the new teams to get into the group stages, they need to win twice. However, there are nine new teams admitted. The two other rookie teams, Mendiola and Masbate, will clash in a winner-take-all battle to determine who will enter the group stages.

You might be wondering, "Why is AKTV saying that the cup will begin on October 4?" The national TV coverage will start with the second stage or the group stages beginning on the same date. Here, the eight wildcards will battle the ten Division 1 teams, starring defending cup champs Air Force, league champs Global, and the newly-promoted Pachanga-Diliman. There will be 3 groups of 6 teams each. They will play a single round robin elimination to determine the playoff contenders (the top 2 teams of each group and the 2 clubs with the best 3rd-place records).

There's a bonus for the best teams in the UFL Cup. The Top 10 teams will automatically qualify for the Smart National Championships knockout stages. So there's a possibility that this season's UFL Cup champions might end up as the Smart Nationals champs too. Brace yourselves! Philippines' pro soccer at its finest returns!

Trade Rumor Mills: The Project's Not Done Yet! Reloaded

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Small but terrible--that's how Team G describes this warrior.

It looks like Coach A2 might not get what he wants after all. Team G called up at Team A2 saying that Team G can't give in to their wishes of giving up the cool cat. Instead, Teams G also called Team B and made a second version of the Phase 2 of the PROJECT.

The PROJECT will still be handed over to Team G from Team B, who will still get the RED CAT WITH A NAME OPPOSITE OF MAJOR. This time around, Team A2 will receive a LITTLE WARRIOR from Team G.

About the LITTLE WARRIOR being offered to Team A in place of the cool cat, he just got the name simply because one host calls him LITTLE. Another clue: try doing the LAUNDRY and WALK simultaneously.

All-NCAA Finals

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It's powerhouse Sandugo-San Sebastian vs. upset-minded Cagayan-UPHSD
in the all-NCAA Shakey's V-League Open Finals.

Since the formation of the Shakey's V-League in 2004, we have never heard of an all-NCAA finals in the country's premier volleyball league. Not until tonight as the 2012 Shakey's V-League Open Conference Finals goes underway at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Sandugo-San Sebastian Lady Conquerors and the Cagayan-Perpetual Help Rising Suns collide in this best-of-3 showdown which pits off two NCAA volleyball powers.

History: As I mentioned, this is the first time two NCAA teams clash in the V-League Finals, but that leads us back to February in the NCAA semifinals, where the Rising Suns, i.e. the Lady Altas, eliminated the Lady Conquerors, aka the Lady Stags, from finals contention in straight sets. The Lady Altas would go on to beat Letran in the finals. That would serve as Roger Gorayeb's final year with the Lady Stags NCAA-wise before he serves a two-year ban for his involvement in the infamous December NCAA brawl.

What Now: Before he leaves the NCAA (for a while), Gorayeb wants to steer his team to a championship, and the best time is now. Sandugo-Baste enters the finals with a near-flawless record, only losing once to the erstwhile champs Army led by Rachel Daquis. The Lady Conquerors would beat no less than Gorayeb's other team, the Ateneo Lady Eagles, in the semis via a devastating sweep. The defending NCAA champions, on the other hand, surprised everyone when they beat Army in the semis also by a sweep, setting the all-NCAA finale.

Key Match-Up: Sandra Delos Santos vs. Joy Benito-We have seen this a lot of times in the NCAA, but this individual rivalry between these two perennial MVP contenders (with Benito winning the plum) goes to a whole new level starting tonight. Also to watch out is the match-up between their respective Thai imports.

Forecast: Payback for the Lady Stags. Sandugo-San Sebastian in three.

The Week That Was Season 2: Week 12 (September 9-15)

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The events that took place this past week mixed up the NCAA and the UAAP a lot. An upset, a slam-bang scoring affair, and a slam dunk highlight the 12th installment of TWTW.

5. It's the NCAA Finals... in the V-League!

NCAA's renaissance has definitely begun, even in the Shakey's V-League

While everybody's focused on college basketball, a historic event was set up in another sport. For the first time since the institution of the Shakey's V-League, two NCAA teams clash in the Open Conference Finals there. Reigning NCAA champs Cagayan-Perpetual Help Rising Suns collide with rivals Sandugo-San Sebastian Lady Conquerors in the three-game series starting tonight. The Lady Conquerors needed a little effort before knocking off Ateneo in their semifinal showdown, while the Rising Suns upset the erstwhile Open Cup champs Army in the other Final 4 clash. You can read my take on the finals here.

4. Seriously, NU, What Happened?

After knocking the De La Salle Green Archers out of the Final 4 as it stands, the NU Bulldogs found themselves fighting the Ateneo Blue Eagles again. Looking to avenge their crushing loss in their meeting, the Bulldogs had a good first half, leading by 2 at the break. But things got nasty in the 2nd half for NU. The Bulldogs struggled all 3rd and 4th quarters long as Ateneo, thanks to big guy Greg Slaughter, pull away in the end, blowing NU out, 70-56. NU was held to only 23 points in the last 20 minutes and turned the ball over 14 times, worse than the already awful 9 they committed in the first half. Just like that, NU lost a chance to pull away in the Final 4 race as they tied La Salle again for 4th. NU will play UP tomorrow, while La Salle faces FEU in the next game. The only thing more intriguing than the final scoreline is this photo taken by Kristine Villegas:

The referees ruled that Jeoff Javillonar's shot was made in the nick of time, but
it seems like there's something wrong.

3. Spoiler Alert

Nate Matute failed to deliver in the end as Lyceum thwarted JRU's playoff plans.

Already out of playoff contention and even missing the services of six players due to either academic matters, suspension, and sickness, the Lyceum Pirates pulled off the week's biggest upset as they thumped the JRU Heavy Bombers in overtime, 69-62. Playing with nothing to lose, Lyceum hacked out a big one against JRU, who are eyeing a spot in the semifinals. Gian Mallari was the game's best player with 15 points. Although Nate Matute had a good game as well (also scoring 15), it was not enough as JRU used up all their remaining petrol in their tanks to force the extra five minutes, only to be blown out in that session by Lyceum, 13-6.

2. As It Stands, It's Letran!

Last time around, it was K-Ace. This time, it's K-Rax!

That Lyceum shocker set up Letran's successful pursuit of stealing 4th place from JRU. The Knights, my team of the week, crushed the San Sebastian Golden Stags, 82-67, earlier to put themselves a half-game clear of the Bombers for fourth. Kevin Alas exploded for 23 points before fouling out at the 2-minute warning, but it was K-Ace's support crew that made the way this time around. Kevin Racal added 18, Mark Cruz had 14, and Jam Cortes made 10 for the Knights as they bucked off a slow start to trounce the Stags, featuring Calvin Abueva's 27 points. The missing link for Baste, however, was Ronald Pascual, who was limited to only 6 points. The Golden Stags missed a chance of clinching a Final 4 berth this early. As it stands, i.e. if the season ends today, First placers San Beda, who crushed EAC in the earlier game, will battle Letran, while San Sebastian meets Perpetual Help in the other semifinal affair.

1. The Kiefer Posterizer

I don't usually put a single play as the top story of the week, but this play is too wicked that I forgot that there was a soccer game featuring the Philippine Malditas and Gilas Pilipinas vs. Lebanon in the FIBA Asia Cup. I know everyone was moved by this nasty dunk. The nastier story, it was Kiefer Ravena, who stands generously at 6'0", who turned Karim Abdul, a 6'7" big guy, into a fluke in this juncture. Even nastier than that, it came during an all-important game for both Ateneo and UST. Ateneo won the game, 68-66, to secure the twice-to-beat edge come the Final 4, but UST, thinking that a goaltending call against Abdul was a clear block, put the game under protest. Alright, UAAP Board, nullify the game if you want, but we will never forget this slam by Ravena. I found a higher quality video of the dunk. If you missed that posterizer, relive it here:

Games for the Week

Sunday (September 16)

2:00 PM-NU vs. UP

4:00 PM-FEU vs. DLSU

Monday

4:00 PM-MIT vs. UPHSD

6:00 PM-JRU vs. CSB

Thursday

2:00 PM-UST vs. UE

4:00 PM-AdU vs. DLSU

4:00 PM-AU vs. SBC

6:00 PM-LPU vs. EAC

Saturday

4:00 PM-EAC vs. CSB

6:00 PM-CSJL vs. JRU

Sunday (September 23)
4:00 PM-FEU vs. NU

Do the Math: UAAP Edition Version 2.0

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Thanks to Almond Vosotros' hot night, we're in for the wildest UAAP playoff
race in years.

After the events that conspired today, it looks like we are in for a crazy finale in the 2012 UAAP Men's Basketball Tournament. With two more playdates remaining, the race for the last three spots in the semifinals, including the other twice-to-beat advantage, is still on. The FEU Tamaraws, UST Growling Tigers, De La Salle Green Archers, and the NU Bulldogs vie for the remaining three berths.

The Tamaraws and the Growling Tigers are currently tied for second at 9-4, just a full game clear of the Green Archers and the Bulldogs, who are tied at fourth place at 8-5. As it stands, i.e. if the season ends today, FEU and UST collide in a best-of-3 semis where the winner of Game 1, aka playoff for 2nd, gets the twice-to-beat, while La Salle and NU battle for the right to face Ateneo in the semis. But like I mentioned, we still have two more days and three games left in the schedule.

Here are the scenarios that could happen after September 23:

The quotients:

FEU vs. UST: FEU +28, UST -28

DLSU vs. NU: DLSU -9, NU +9

FEU vs. DLSU: FEU -5, DLSU +5

UST vs. NU: UST +7, NU -7

UST vs. DLSU: Both teams are tied on aggregate.

FEU vs. NU: FEU -4, NU +4 (They will play on September 23.)

1. FEU and UST only need a win or a La Salle or NU loss to make the Final 4 without going to the wildcard game. If they have different results, i.e. one team wins and the other loses, the team who would win will get the twice-to-beat edge. The team that would lose might slip to fourth place depending on the outcome of La Salle and NU's games. More on the third item. The same in the case of NU and La Salle. If one team wins and the other loses, the victors move on, while the others will be eliminated.

2. (a) If both the Tams and the Tigers win their last games (UST vs. UE on Thursday and FEU vs. NU on Sunday), they will go into a playoff for 2nd. Since they will just meet each other in the Final 4, the playoff will serve as Game 1 of a best-of-3 series. (b) If Adamson (vs. La Salle on Thursday) also wins, NU and La Salle will vie for the 4th spot. (c) Otherwise, La Salle will make the cut with ease.

3. The UAAP announced that only two tiebreakers will be played, the battle for 2nd aka Game 1 of a best-of-3 and the battle for 4th. In case of a tie for 3rd place, regardless of the number of teams tied for that spot, the team with the highest quotient will finish 3rd, while the 4th place will be disputed by the other teams (if it's a three-way logjam).
 a. If UST, Adamson, and NU win, UST will finish 2nd and NU and FEU will be tied for 3rd. However, due to head-to-head quotient, NU moves to 3rd and FEU slips to 4th.
 b. If FEU, UE, and La Salle win, UST and La Salle will be tied for third. However, since they are tied in the aggregate score (135-135), their total point margin for the season will be measured. Currently, UST has a +18 point difference, while La Salle has a +24 overall margin. It only means UST will slip to fourth and La Salle goes up to third.
 c. If UST, La Salle, and NU win, the Tigers finish 2nd and a three-way tie for 3rd between the others will happen. NU, with the highest quotient, finishes 3rd and FEU and La Salle battle one more time.

4. If in case of a three-way tie for 2nd, the team with the lowest quotient will be relegated to 4th, while the other 2 begin their best-of-3 2 vs. 3 semis battle. If UE, Adamson, and NU win, there will be a three-way tie for 2nd.
 a. In that case, for them to force a best-of-3 2 vs. 3 series, UST must hope for the impossible: that NU crushes FEU by 43 points or more, forcing UST vs. NU in the process.
 b. If NU wins by 42 or less, UST slips to fourth and it's FEU vs. NU in one semis showdown.

5. The wackiest case scenario is if UE beats UST, La Salle crushes Adamson, and NU whacks FEU. It will be translated to a four-way tie for 2nd. Currently, FEU has the best quotient among the four head-to-head wise with a +19. NU follows with a +6. La Salle has the third-best quotient with a -4. UST has the worst quotient with a -21.
 a. If a four-way tie at 9-5 happens, and if NU beats FEU by at least 23, it will be NU vs. La Salle in the best-of-3 semis and FEU vs. UST in the playoff for 4th.
 b. Otherwise, it's FEU vs. NU in the best-of-3 2 vs. 3 semis series, while it's UST vs. La Salle for the right to face Ateneo in the other Final 4 fixture with the Blue Eagles owning twice-to-beat edge.

Forecast: I have UST at 2nd and FEU at 3rd despite going through an extra game. I have NU at 4th, but NU clinches it through a playoff against La Salle.

Heads-Up Battle: NCAA vs. UAAP (Dance Showdown)

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The year 2012 could be defined in two songs: "Call Me Maybe" and "Gangnam Style". These two songs became viral just weeks after they were officially released. Both the two songs redefined Canadian and Korean pop music in such an awesome way, especially here in the Philippines, where it led to one parody after another. Even the basketball players do the CMM and the Gangnam here, and the following videos you will see are proofs that these hoops stars have the move.

Tale of the Tape

Name: University Athletics Association of the Philippines

Nickname: Team Carly Rae

Age: 74

Height: Up to 7'0"

Weight: Super Heavy

Claim to Fame: Ateneo vs. La Salle

Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" would have been a long-forgotten track if not for a fellow Canadian named Justin Bieber. It blitzed past the number 1 spot in the Canadian charts in February and in the US charts the following month all because of Bieber's recommendation. CMM's music video, officially released on March 1, currently has more than 256 million views on Youtube. JB even promoted Carly Rae's hit in a cute way when he, Selena Gomez, and Ashley Tisdale made a lip dub of CMM that was so viral it led to more fanvids including one from the stars of the UAAP. The video eventually gave birth to the Romeo moves.

Name: National Collegiate Athletics Association

Nickname: Team Psy

Age: 87

Height: Up to 6'8"

Weight: Super Heavy

Claim to Fame: San Beda vs. San Sebastian, San Beda vs. Letran, and Ateneo vs. La Salle too

Park Jae-Sang, popularly known as Psy, had no idea his latest track "Gangnam Style" would become a worldwide hit until some proud K-Pop fans posted the video on social media sites, and now, the official music video of the song gained 191 million hits on Youtube just two months after it was uploaded. With the way it is gaining views, it could overtake Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" by next month in total views. Also leading to everyone doing their own rendition of the Gangnam, Psy, like Jepsen, was invited to the Ellen Degeneres Show and will soon join her and Justin Bieber at Scooter Braun's Schoolboy Records, the first time a Korean will have a US album. Just today, AKTV uploaded their own version of the Gangnam featuring NCAA players and an awesome cameo by no less than the legendary Perpetual Help coach Aric Del Rosario.

Powerade 13's Demand Letter vs. Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc.

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Former Powerade Tigers manager Kenneth Duremdes leads a group of 13 peo-
ple who demands that their working contracts with the Coca-Cola Bottlers Phil-
ippines, who sold the team to GlobalPort, will be honored.

PTV Sports host Snow Badua received a copy of the demand letter made by the so-called "Powerade 13", the group consisting of those who lost their jobs to the sale of the Tigers' franchise to GlobalPort, to the Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc., the former owner of the PBA team. Here's the content of the letter and I quote:

Mr. Ronnie Asuncion

Team Governor

Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines. Inc

Dear Mr. Asuncion,

Last Monday, we, the group of 13 Coca-Cola/Powerade Tigers management, coaches, staff, and former players with issues concerning our existing contracts, met with Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Chito Salud to clarify a number of points. Of primary importance were the conditions of the sale of the Coca-Cola franchise to Mr. Michael Romero's group, Sultan 900.

Commissioner Salud informed us that traditionally, when a team is bought, it is only the players' contract that are sold and this is also what happened between Coca-Cola and Sultan 900. Without seeing the deed of sale between the two parties involved, we are taking the Commissioner's word for in that other team members' contract (staff, coaches, utilities, and management) are not usually part of the sale.

This, however, is contrary to what you assured us during a team dinner last July 30 in Alabang.

With this declaration of the Commissioner, we can only deduce that Coca-Cola is the one accountable for our live contracts, even though a number of us have been given the runaround on who is truly responsible for the remaining year.

Rather than honor the remaining 12 months, Coca-Cola has offered each of us a take-it-or-leave-it "financial assistance" ranging from one to six months, dependent on the number of years of loyal and dedicated service we gave to the company. Our ballboys, who you first spoke to, felt they had no choice; with their backs to the wall, they accepted your offer.

The 13 of us feel differently.

Additionally, Coca-Cola through you also mentioned to some of us that if we do not accept the said offer, you would see us in court, sounding as if Coca-Cola were the aggrieved party! Going to court is something we would like to avoid since it will be an inconvenience to all concerned, including our group, the Coca-Cola Company, and probably the PBA itself. More so because it is difficult for ordinary people like us to sue a multinational like Coke; we are not naive about tactics that can be used to drag litigation and force poorer litigants to financially bleed to death.

But we are not ruling out this option if we continue to be treated unfairly, as we have so far been treated.

We remember distinctly your words of assurance you gave to the media following your meeting with the Board of Governors last February; the team is not for sale and Coca-Cola intends to stay till we win a championship. These turned out to be false.

We have yet to win a championship--but Coca-Cola sold the team nevertheless.

And we remember distinctly your assurance that all valid live contracts should be honored by the new team owner, failing which an amicable, mutually agreed compromise must be reached. These too turned out to be false, as the "take-it-or-leave-it" offers you made us were not "mutually agreed" compromises but in fact sounded more like threats.

After considering all this hassle that we have been put through, the sleepless nights, the worrying of being left jobless, of how we will provide for our families, we remain willing to settle this matter in an amicable manner. We propose that Coca-Cola do the only honorable thing to do which is to honor our contracts in full; nothing that has transpired since January 30, 2012 has been of our doing or was within our control; in fact, had we only been treated with more respect and far more transparency from the beginning we could have prepared ourselves and our families for the difficulties we are encountering today, reducing the stress and tension and negativity that now pervades our lives because of the way this whole matter has been handled--to be more precise, mishandled--wasting the goodwill which we had for the Company we served loyally.

We see this as a reasonable proposal. We have done our consultations and are confident that the law and public opinion is on our side on the point that Coca-Cola does indeed owe us the full year left.

Hoping to settle this matter amicably, we remain.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Kenneth Duremdes

Rodney Santos

Gerard Francisco

Ronjay Enrile

Dale Singson

Cesar Catli Jr.

Julio Veloso

George Ella

Dr. Pablo Santos

Ma. Criselda Nieto

Lester Pascua

Benigno Espeleta

Rheysonn Cornilla

The Reality: This is the UAAP, Not the Court of Appeals

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While Commissioner Ato Badolato describes goaltending as a
judgment call, leading to the vetoing of UST's protest...

...the Tigers elevated the matter to the UAAP Board because of
the failure to recognize Norman Black's ill-advised entry to the
playing court.

With all due respect to Moira Gallega of PinoyFootball.com, I'm borrowing her idea about the headline of her article about the UFL's AFP teams and use the pattern of it for my latest post. Just like the legion of fans from all the schools, I am upset about the latest developments in the UAAP today. Last week, a controversial layup by RR Garcia at the buzzer to give FEU the win against NU that was counted by the referees was protested by NU. The Bulldogs sent the appeal to Commissioner Ato Badolato. He denied the appeal, but upon elevating the case to the league board, the board overturned the verdict and rescheduled the entire match to September 23. Now, the UST Growling Tigers put their 66-68 loss against Ateneo under protest for two reasons: Karim Abdul's block that was counted as a goaltending infraction and the referees failing to slap a technical foul on Blue Eagles coach Norman Black in the dying moments. Kume Ato denied the appeal because goaltending, classified as a judgment call, is irreversible, but UST elevated the matter to the board because of the matter on Black's technical not called.

Upon posting the news on the Facebook where I'm an admin, aside from the rants that I got because of my corniness (I put in "Good news, Thomasians" in UP-UST Friendship when it's actually a bad news for them, while I put in "Bad news, Ateneans" in Kasali, when it's actually good news for them. Sorry, guys!), some comments that we got put the blame on the spotty officiating, bribery, and even NU for starting the trend. But the rest mean only one message: Let's move on!

I even agree with one comment on UP-STe: "Games should be decided inside the basketball court and not in the board room," or for this article the "court of appeals". Even if there's a solid ground for protesting the game, I will just take the loss and play with all heart in the next game. I actually liked UST Coach Pido Jarencio's statement after the loss: "Pag talo, talo." Of course, his mood changed when Kume used his veto power (he's pushing the technical on Black, while the management added the goaltend). Even former UST coach Aric Del Rosario, now with Perpetual Help in the NCAA, said in his post-game after the Altas lost to Mapua last night, "Ako, ayoko mag-protesta... Ako, kung makapasok, eh di papasok pag ayaw di wag," although he admitted that he did not like the spotty officiating in that game. UPHSD athletic director Moses Lozada put the game under protest due to the said matter.

I respect the teams's right to protest the game if there's something wrong (even if they win that said match), but I don't like the championship to be decided in the "court of appeals". I don't know how the fans will react if UST and NU eventually make the finals, but for me, I'll take it. If it's Cats vs. Dogs in the Last Dance, so be it. What I just want to say is that I hope UST's protest will be the last we will hear this year. I want the championship to be settled on the hardwood and not in front of "knowledgeable" people who will give their "verdict beyond reasonable doubt" and just ignore the rule of the commissioner, who is one of the best coaches in Asia. This is basketball, not an impeachment trial against Ato Badolato. This is a game of athletes, not of law school freshmen. Lastly, this is the UAAP, not the "Court of Appeals"!

Peace out!

Do the Math: UAAP Edition Version 3.0

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With Ateneo coach Norman Black's ill-advise entry to complain not issued a
technical foul as a solid ground, there's a possibility that the Ateneo-UST game
will be replayed, opening a chance for the Tigers to finish first.

Thanks to a comment from a concerned citizen, I made a third version of the computations regarding the wild Final 4 race. This time around, we'll take into consideration the scenario in which the UAAP Board overturns the initial ruling of Commissioner Ato Badolato to uphold Ateneo's 68-66 victory and orders a replay of the match that would be won by UST. If the board stands by Kume's side, we're gonna refer to OUR previous post (shout-outs to those who helped me in correcting my previous computations), but if in case the board orders a rematch and UST wins that game against Ateneo and (I hope I get this right this time)...

1. If UST (vs. UE), La Salle (vs. Adamson) and FEU (vs. NU) win, there will be a tie for 1st place between Ateneo and UST. With the quotient system favoring UST, the Tigers will be first and will battle La Salle in the Final 4. Ateneo will face FEU in the other semifinal clash.

2. If UST, Adamson, and FEU win, it's still Ateneo vs. FEU in the Final 4, but La Salle and NU collide in the battle for 4th with the winner facing UST next.

3. If UST, Adamson, and NU win, the Growling Tigers will finish at number 1. NU and FEU will be tied for 3rd with 9-5 records. However, the Bulldogs will finish third because of superior head-to-head quotient over the Tamaraws. So it's UST vs. FEU in one series and Ateneo vs. NU in the other.

4. If UST, La Salle, and NU win, UST will be first and Ateneo will be second, but a three-way tie for 3rd happens. NU, with the best quotient among them, La Salle and FEU, will battle Ateneo, while the other two engage in a playoff for 4th.

5. If UE, La Salle, and NU win, Ateneo will be first and UST falls to second. It's UST vs. NU in one Final 4 series, while it's Ateneo versus the winner of the FEU-La Salle wildcard game.

6. If UE, La Salle, and FEU win, it's Ateneo vs. La Salle in the UAAP Clasico Final 4, while it's FEU vs. UST in the other series.

7. If UE, Adamson, and FEU win, it's Ateneo vs. La Salle-NU winner in one semis and it's FEU vs. UST on the other.

8. If UE, Adamson, and NU win, it's Ateneo vs. FEU in one semis series and it's UST vs. NU on the other.

Forecast: Scenario 4!

THE 10 ELECTRIFYING Emerging Blogs for 2012 (Special Edition)

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In this special edition of The 10 Electrifying, I will give some shoutouts to those blogs that owned the cyberspace for this year. Before that, I just wanna spread some love to these sites:

Tof Salcedo

Philippine data center

Philippine online shopping

DigitalFilipino Club

Search Profile Index

DigitalFilipino.com

Now, my rundown of the 10 emerging blogs for the year (in no particular order):

1. Rappler-This news site is so cool that it has been the main alternative for those who can't get enough of the mainstream news sites.

2. So What's News-This is satire at its finest. The comedic approach of this "news" site makes even the old readers think the news is for real.

3. Filipino Bloggers Worldwide-From a simple Facebook group, FBW now brings to us a site where Filipino bloggers even outside of the FB group can interact.

4. High Gear Full Throttle-I rarely see a motoring or motorsports blog, but this one rocks. Another reason: What if I tell you a high schooler owns this site?

5. Single Mom Super Mom-I never thought a single mother like Corrine Emata, the mother of Jeremy, the owner of HGFT, can share her thoughts of caring for her son through a blog. This is a must-read even for moms with their husbands.

6. Nurse Germz-For nurses, doctors, and even the nursing and the med students out there, you should read this. This blog contains the latest news in the nursing industry and even the latest trends in medicine.

7. Be Kind to Us Trolls-Another humor site that could make a splash. Like So What's and Professional Heckler, this tackles the latest news in a cute manner.

8. The Talking Senses-This is somehow similar to my Newbie Gaming segment here in my sports blog, but TTS goes beyond that. It's simply general info that you need.

9. Two-Sided Perspective-Every website, whether a news site or a blog, needs the help of SEO. TSP is one emerging site that can give us some info on how to make our sites more visible in the search engines.

10. The Tummy Adventures-I love food, so emerging food blogs like Tummy Adventures will make you crave more.

If you want to share your Top 10, click on this link for the instructions.