THE 2007 NCAA ISSUE

ncaa history

NCAA: An
NCAA Basketball
Champion
1924 University of the Philippines

Endless Saga
1925 University of the Philippines
1926 University of the Philippines
1927 San Beda College
1928 Ateneo de Manila University
1929 University of the Philippines
1930 University of Santo Tomas
1931 Ateneo de Manila University
1932 Ateneo de Manila University
THE NCAA WAS founded in 1924 under the
1933 Ateneo de Manila University leadership of the late Dr. Regino R. Ylanan, then
1934 San Beda College
1935 San Beda College the Physical Director of the University of the Phil-
1936 San Beda College ippines (UP) Diliman. The founding members include
1937 Ateneo de Manila University
1938 Colegio de San Juan de Letran the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), University of Manila
1939 De La Salle University (UM), National University (NU), De La Salle College
1940 San Beda College
1941 Ateneo de Manila University (DLSU), Ateneo de Manila College (ADMU), San Beda Col-
1942 N. A. lege, and UP.
1943 N. A.
1944 N. A. Though from humble begin- After the smoke cleared, the and the inclusion of Mapua, San
1945 N. A.
1946 N. A. nings, the goals of the fledgling league reopened its doors in Sebastian, University of Per-
1947 De La Salle University league was to unify athletes and post-war 1947.However, while petual Help – Rizal, and lately
1948 De La Salle University
1949 Mapua Institute of Technology
serve as a launching pad for the Japanese have left and the the College of St. Benilde and
1950 Colegio de San Juan de Letran excellence in athleticism that Philippines was free yet again, the Philippine Christian Univer-
1951 San Beda College could eventually earn berths in the NCAA struggled with an- sity, the league emerged out of
1952 San Beda College
1953 Ateneo de Manila University the Olympics. other new enemy – inter-school the 20 th century stronger and
1954 Ateneo de Manila University The league flourished in the hooliganism. better than ever.
1955 San Beda College pre-World War II era and even Intense rivalries turned into Today, the league has eight
1956 De La Salle University
1957 Ateneo de Manila University with the abdication of UP, NU violent fistfights, while high- member-schools competing
1958 Ateneo de Manila University and UST to their own league, decibel boos and hisses turned fiercely in athletics while help-
1959 San Beda College
1960 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
sports athleticism and inter- into halftime bombardment of ing each other in the develop-
1961 Ateneo de Manila University school competition was still at litter and trash. Worse, skir- ment of the league. A total of 16
1962 Suspended its peak. The three aforemen- mishes in parking lots of game schools have been part of the 82
1963 Jose Rizal University
1964 Jose Rizal University tioned teams eventually estab- venues became a regular affair year old NCAA, namely San
1965 Mapua Institute of Technology lished the University Athletics and inter-school vandalism Beda, Ateneo, La Salle, UP, UST,
1966 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
1967 Jose Rizal University
Association of the Philippines suddenly emerged. It was as if San Vicente de Paul, UM, NU,
1968 Jose Rizal University (UAAP) in 1938. the league was entering its twi- CSJL, Mapua, JRU, Trinity Col-
1969 Ateneo de Manila University From the start and even up light ages for in the years that lege, UPHDS, San Sebastian,
1970 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
1971 De La Salle University to now, basketball remains as follow things only got worse PCU, and CSB.
1972 Jose Rizal University the most popular sport in the until eventually in 1962, the From a simple athletics orga-
1973 San Sebastian College-Recoletos NCAA. As such it became the whole NCAA season was sus- nization in 1925, the NCAA has
1974 De La Salle University
1975 Ateneo de Manila University battlefield for supremacy pended. moved mountains and became
1976 Ateneo de Manila University among schools especially in its While glory was still to be the home of great athletes and
1977 San Beda College
1978 San Beda College
early years. Such competition won in the hardcourt and prominent people of today. It
1979 Colegio de San Juan de Letran and intense passion was shown athleticism was still of prime has survived two World Wars,
1980 Suspended that eventually, rivalries were importance among the mem- outlasted a dictatorship, de-
1981 Mapua Institute of Technology
1982 Colegio de San Juan de Letran formed among the different ber-schools, the league’s sudden feated hooliganism and bore
1983 Colegio de San Juan de Letran member-schools. Then, it was turn for the worse forced some witness to all the presidents of
1984 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
1985 San Sebastian College-Recoletos
Letran against De La Salle, of its members to leave the post-Commonwealth Phil-
1986 Colegio de San Juan de Letran Ateneo against San Beda and indefinetly. After a bitter loss ippine government. All in all,
1987 Colegio de San Juan de Letran lastly, Ateneo against everyone to San Beda in the 1972 NCAA the NCAA has experienced
1988 San Sebastian College-Recoletos
1989 San Sebastian College-Recoletos else. championships, Ateneo left for much but has still to experience
1990 Mapua Institute of Technology These sporting years gave the UAAP. Three years later, La more. Generation by genera-
1991 Mapua Institute of Technology birth to the likes of the Chito Salle exited the NCAA after a tion, the NCAA will always be
1992 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
1993 San Sebastian College-Recoletos Loyzaga and Frankie Rabat, ri- violence-marred championship remembered as the pioneer in
1994 San Sebastian College-Recoletos vals in the NCAA hardcourt but series against Letran. Even San collegiate athleticism, as one of
1995 San Sebastian College-Recoletos
1996 San Sebastian College-Recoletos
teammates in the only Philip- Beda took a leave of absence in the premier basketball organi-
1997 San Sebastian College-Recoletos pine team to ever reach the top ____. zations in the country, the home
1998 Colegio de San Juan de Letran three of the Olympics. The dark ages of the NCAA of heroes, the league of the
1999 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
2000 College of Saint Benilde The advent of World War II may have tainted the glorious brave.
2001 San Sebastian College-Recoletos forced the league to postpone past but the league eventually
2002 San Sebastian College-Recoletos
its 17-year existence with a five- rebounded years later. With the SOURCE:
2003 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
2004 Philippine Christian University year break from 1942 to 1946. re-entry of San Beda in _____ The Bedan, vol.63
2005 Colegio de San Juan de Letran
2006 San Beda College

2 NCAA 2007 Issue

opinion

IT IS ALL ABOUT SPORTS. Nothing more, noth-

ing less.
This NCAA season think of nothing but sports. It is the aim, it is
the priority, it is the purpose. Just like the years before and the
years that would follow, it is all about sports.
It is all about sports when coaches are suddenly axed in order to
appease the whim of the few. Contracts are forgotten, words of
honor are forsaken. The vision of a handful is given precedence
over the sentiments of the many. Performance after all, is not an
issue. But apparently, so are championships.
It is all about sports when athletes are devoid of the glory they
fought for and very much deserve. Although years are spent in

Editorial
building dynasties and countless hours are exhausted in perfecting
their respective game, it is all about sports when these same ath-
letes suffer from the great financial burden that they are suddenly
faced. Compensation, scholarships and even training fees are ne-
glected; but on their performance, nothing seems to suffice every-

It is all
one but perfection. Yes, it is all about sports. Or to be more precise,
maybe in this instance, it is all about basketball.
Yes Bedans, it is all about sports; this year more than any other.
While pressing issues are at our doorsteps and our basic rights as
students are challenged, in the end, it is all about sports.
It is all about sports when the identity established by our for-
bearers is suddenly and irrevocably changed without the student’s

about
consent and approval. When our culture is left for nothing, our
heritage given no importance – think only of sports. Because at
least there in the football fields, in the basketball courts and at
other sporting grounds, our players are wearing red. Well, at least
for now. Soon enough they may force them to wear yellow.
It is all about sports when student rights are trampled and the
Magna Carta completely ignored. After all, it is but a simple docu-

sports
ment ratified by the whole student population and approved by
the administrators themselves to protect the student rights. In-
stead, it is wiser to watch our athletes in their respective sports.
Athletic competitions at least makes sense; arguing with certain
prominent individuals regarding the validity of the Magna Carta,
however, does not.
It is all about sports when competence is based on affiliation
rather than qualification and when principled administrators are
bullied, bribed and/or coerced to go along unprincipled actions.
More, let us understand that all this is but a sport even if scores of
complaints are already lodged against individuals who are bla-
tantly unsuitable for their jobs. Politics is a sport, and if it is played
in the NCAA, year after year, we will bring home the trophy.
It is all about sports even when all that is left in our once presti-
gious school is its once prestigious name. The luster of our glory
days is all but gone, the proud departments considered then as
centers of excellence has already been discounted while the good
professors that propagated academic excellence are all but gone.
What remains is but a shadow of the San Beda that once was. And
it is all about sports. For it is the only thing that still links the
alumni to our school.
In the end, even this article is also but a sport. In football this is
a goal kick aimed at the opposing goal. In basketball, this is but a
half court shot. Lastly, in taekwondo this editorial is a flying kick
aimed at everyone, but would probably hit no one.
So in this day, as we celebrate the opening of the NCAA’s 83rd
season, relax dear Bedans and think of nothing but sports. Perhaps,
you can even daydream that our school is great. Besides, we are the
NCAA basketball champions. So go ahead, dream.
After all, it is all about sports. Nothing more. Nothing less.
NCAA 2007 Issue 3
 basketball

Destiny
is
Dynasty
q Marc Israel Castro

TITLE-RETENTION SEEMS to be the hardest thing

to do.
After winning the 82nd NCAA basketball crown with then Red
Lions chief mentor Koy Banal as their tactician, the San Beda Red
Lions now face a tougher task - to retain the crown and to start
building their own dynasty without the man who made them a
champion team.
Banal, the champion coach who turned the Red Lions from one
of the worst teams in the 81st NCAA season into champions the
following year, was removed from his post abruptly after school
administrators and the alumni cited “commitment reasons” point-
ing out Banal’s other coaching responsibilities in the Philippine
Basketball League and the Philippine Basketball Association.
After an extensive search for a new mentor that followed, Frankie
Lim, a man known as the general manager of Talk n’ Text, was
chosen to lead the Red Lions this year and to forge forward into
building a Bedan dynasty.
Lim took over and guided the Red Lions during the off-season
tournaments such as the Fr. Martin’s Cup (FMC) and the FilOil
Flying V Preseason Invitational Cup where they placed 1st runner
up against tournament favorite and champion the De La Salle Green
Archers.

Pre-season previews
During the off-season, the Red Lions participated in different
tournaments such as the FMC and the FilOil Flying V Preseason
tournament where they both had respectable finishes.
The Mendiola-based cagers faced the Green Archers during the
championship match in the FilOil cup with veteran La Sallite trio
of TY Tang, JV Casio, and Rico Maierhofer leading the attack of the
Taft-based stalwarts against the stingy defense of man-mountain
Sam Ekwe and King Red Lion Yousif Aljamal.
After three quarters of thrilling competition between the Red
Lions and the Green Archers, the defensive wall of the Red Lions
suddenly collapsed in the fourth canto enabling De La Salle to
squeak past with a win.

4 NCAA 2007 Issue

 basketball
In conjunction with the FilOil cup, the
team also spent part of their summer under
intense training at the Joe Abunassar – Im-
pact Basketball training center at Los Ange-
les, California, USA.
The Red Lions went under intense condi-
tioning and skills development including
dribbling and passing of the guards as well
as defense of the centers and the forwards
under the tutelage of the basketball experts
of the said training center.
The results were apparent, as Lim him-
self was quoted in saying, days after the
training, the Red Lions routed the PCU Dol-
phins with impressive form, showcasing a
stronger and faster Red Lions than the one
that notched the championship last year.
“They tried very hard to put the pressure
in them. They did a very good job. Their
shooting percentage went up. Malaki ang
pinagbago nila,” Lim said.
As for the loss to De La Salle in the cham-
pionships, Lim noted that this was another
learning experience for the Red Lions as he
noted the exceptional plays of the team in-
stead of delving on the shortcomings.
“A lot of things we learned [in the game
against La Salle]. Number one, composure.
La Salle is not a weak team, but we did a
good job on our game… We lost, but we
stay together [through out because] this is
the Bedan way,” Lim said.
Lions among
RED LIONS
slasher Rogemar
Menor, Bambam
Gamalinda, and Jay-R
Taganas will have to step up
and push their respective
games a notch higher to pro-
vide multiple scoring threats
against every opponent.
With mainstays Kristoffer
Taupa, Borgie Hermida, sharp
shooting JR Tecson, and injury-
free Chico Tirona at the aid of
the San Beda five, the coaches will h a v e
an expansive array of basketball explosives
at their disposal.
In addition to the aforementioned, rook-
ies Garvo Lanete, Alvin Padilla and Anto-
nio Jose Caram will be manning
the backcourt, while prized re-
cruit, former King Red Cub
Dave Marcelo, will add fire-
power and rebounding prow-
ess as well as an alternate with
other big men inside the paint.
Against the odds
Last year, the
Mendiola-based cagers
almost swept the elimina- tions with
a 13 – 1 slate last season with their lone
loss from the PCU dribblers
who also became their ri-
val contender in the
thrilling championship

men series.
With the de- The Dolphins, however,
parture of team will not be seeing action this
captain Ange- year as they are serving a one year suspen-
les and big man sion because of fielding ineligible players
Martin Anto- in the high school division.
nio, veterans But while the Dolphins slumber, other
Aljamal and NCAA schools are all ready to battle it out
R a y m u n d against the Red Lions. Already in the front
Maggay will running among basketball aficionados are
now have to the resurging Jose Rizal University Heavy Red Lions’ Lineup
shoulder the Bombers who posted impressive pre-sea-
Raymond Maggay
leadership re- son campaigns.
Riego Gamalinda
sponsibilities Also, the Mapua Cardinals may soon
Chico Tirona
for the team to- prove to be the best team in Intramuros
JR Tecson
gether with last this year as they retained the services of
Yousif Aljamal
s e a s o n ’ s almost all their players. The Letran
Dave Marcelo,
Rookie of the Knights, with the departure of veteran
Antonio Jose Caram
Year and Most cager Boyet Bautista, will field a depleted
Alvin Padilla
V a l u a b l e but brave lineup while the San Sebastian
Sam Ekwe
Player awardee Stags are keeping mum with their own stal-
Jay-R Taganas
Samuel Ekwe warts.
Rogemar Menor
and the sweet- Truly, this coming NCAA season would
Borgie Hermida
shooting, be a tougher one for the Red Lions. But come
Garvo Lanete
baby-faced as- what may, the Red Lions are ready to battle
Pong Escobal
sassin, Pong it out in that stage where all that matters is
Kristoffer Taupa
Escobal. the time, the score, and the heart of the cham-
Also, ace pion – the hard court. Head Coach
Frankie Lim
NCAA 2007 Issue 5
 basketball

The Legacy of 82:

The Championship Blueprint
q Carlo Benedict Sison
THE CHEERS WERE deafening, the lights were blinding. lieving silence. He shoots. Eternity passes
The sea of red that filled the Big Dome collapsed in a joyful frenzy as as the ball slowly made its way to rim.
It falls short, and the rest, as they say, was
the long dreamt of championship was finally fulfilled. People were cry-
history.
ing with joy, strangers were hugging each other, couples kissed while at The momentous experience of finally
the hardcourt, the jubilant and newly-crowned champions were all revel- winning the basketball championship after
ing at their glory. Barely a few seconds ago, this scene of jubilant celebra- 28 long years is priceless. But this cannot be
tion was but a din of silence. done without the efforts of the many indi-
At the start of the fourth quarter, the breath on how things would transpire. PCU viduals who helped in realizing the vision
undaunted PCU Dolphins mounted a des- inbounds the ball; Jason Castro fakes a slash of ending the title drought: the dedicated
perate surge that soon caught the Mendiola misleading the Bedan defense and before men and women of San Beda.
cagers cold on their feet. From 12 points, passing to a wide open Beau Belga. Three Lost Glory
the lead was suddenly diminished to one. seconds left and the ball It all started when the Red Lions reached
With the win on the line, Pong Escobal found its way to the Final Four picture in 2005 after seven
inbounded the ball to Sam Ekwe. The ball one PCU’s of- years of languishing at the bottom. Led by
sailed way off Ekwe’s hands. fensive arms. then team captain Jeff Bombeo and seasoned
Sixteen seconds left to go and the ball He jumps. veteran Arjun Cordero, the Red Lions
was back at the hands of the enemy. Every- wound their way through the regular sea-
The hope of winning the champi- o n e son to enter the Final Four with a 7-7 win-
onship was hanging on the line. stood loss card. They defeated the Mapua Cardi-
Hearts pounding, the crowd still in nals in a do-or-die match to face the UPHDS
was at their feet waiting with unbe- Altas in the semifinals. As the Final Four
bated match ensues, the San Beda-UPHDS series
tied at one apiece to force a deciding game
three to reach the finals. Sadly, the Red Li-
ons lost by two
points,

6 NCAA 2007 Issue

basketball
diminishing the hopes of Bedans of enter- San Beda College Alumni Association
ing the finals. vice president Albert Almendralejo
Season 81 came and with it, the departure welcomed the suggestion of the
of almost all of San Beda’s starting five. booster club and adopted it as a
Even with the help coming from the alumni priority project of the Associa-
and support from the studentry, the Red tion.
Lions only managed to win five games in “It was then I realized
the regular season. The morale was at an that the Alumni Asso-
all-time low, but championship drive was ciation could very
all the more intensified. well be the um-
As the flame of the championship dream brella organi-
spread, the fire was pushed further ablaze zation to-
when a former Red Lion, coach Enrico ‘Koy’ wards the
Banal, took the helm as the new Red Lions’ achieve-
head coach, giving a new hope for the Red ment of
people. the goal
The Red Dawn begins of re-
All in all, the quest for the championship claim-
began when San Beda then extended its in- ing the
fluence to boost the erring Red Lions of champi-
building a stronger lineup. Through the onship
alumni and scouts all over the country, the crown in
Red Lions managed to enlist the services of t h e
a sweet-shooting guard from the south, NCAA,” he
Pong Escobal and the imposing stature of a said.
6’8 Nigerian Sam Ekwe. Also, the maturity They did
and development of Yousif Aljamal, former so by whole-
high school superstar Ogie Menor and the heartedly
leadership of veteran Alex Angeles, paved supporting the
Red Lions
“Everybody would re- t h r o u g h
fundraising
member the moment events, team build-
ing sessions and do-
where the ball bounced nation of training
off the rim and the crowd equipment through the
effort of many concerned
was already sprinting to- alumni of San Beda including
wards the court even Atty. Art Tugade, Mike Advani and
most notably, business tycoon
with still a second left.” Manny V. Pangilinan.
Meanwhile, last year’s SBCA chief
the way to the development of the Red Li- cheerleader EJ Mangahas, in charge
ons’ offensive and defensive abilities. With of uplifting the spirits of the crowd
a fiery coach, a feisty starting lineup and a during the games, thanks the respon-
committed and supportive alumni and siveness of the community in help-
Bedan community, the Red Lions formu- ing advocate the winning drive of
lated a motto that would eventually lead the team. championship. In a way, every single one
them to the Promised Land: “End 28 at 82.” “We got a lot of help from the alumni. It who had showed support owns a bit of the
With the help of the alumni, the Mendiola seemed that they were the catalyst that glory of ending the 28-year title drought.
stalwarts worked and trained harder to brought every aspect together. It also helped Everybody would remember the moment
eliminate the competition in the off-season. that the community and the administration where the ball bounced off the rim and the
Suffering only a loss from their future fi- were responsive to the initiatives of the crowd was already sprinting towards the
nals contender, the PCU Dolphins, the hun- alumni,” he said court even with still a second left. Every-
gry Red Lions diminished the competition In addition, the Student Council then also body would remember how we tearfully
as they led all the teams in the went along with the hype by involving the sang the Bedan hymn with much pride and
standings. Bedan community through providing fly- honor in our voices.
The booster club, a group of die-hard ers, posters, balloons and other parapher- When one wants something, he does ev-
alumni, put togetherthe three pillars of nalia not just to show support for the team erything he can to achieve it. Everyone owns
achieving the championship crown: build a but to unite the entire studentry as well. a bit of history. Everyone helped in realiz-
championship team; improve the SBCA and All for one, one for all ing the vision. With ONE SAN BEDA, we
the band; and involve the Bedan commu- Ultimately, the entire Bedan community’s ended 28 at 82.
nity. support was the main factor in winning the (with Danna Katrina Lim)
NCAA 2007 Issue 7
 It’s a
girl
thing!
M
q Marjerie Ann Ramos

OVE OVER
Barbie, because
these girls need
no Ken.
Rising against the challenges Right on, girlfriend!
of the paternal structure of San Recognizing the presence and
Beda, Bedan females from all potential of female Bedans in
courses and levels are slowly the field of sports, the first fe-
but surely taking up the chal- male athletes of San Beda was
lenge of athletics and are soon formed in order to provide a
enough, bringing glory to our respite for female Bedans who
alma mater. are attuned to sports. The Lady
It has been four years since Booters was the first women’s
San Beda opened its doors to team to be formed in San Beda
welcome female Bedans, count- followed by the recruitment of
ing them in as part of the lion’s female taekwondo jins for the
den. As the Bedan community Red Jins and this year, San Beda
continues to grow, a cycle fol- formed its own women’s vol-
lows as women begin to emerge leyball team, the Lady Spikers.
not only in the aspect of leader- These female Bedan athletes
ship and academics, but in the are practically your typical girl-
field of sports as well. next-doors – only much fiercer
Armed with the ferocity of a and more competitive than oth-
true lioness and the cunning of ers. Unflinching in their train-
the female species, these girls ing and fully dedicated in their
are kicking, smashing and even respective fields, they are will-
thrashing balls to the next ing to train under the burning
level. sun in the name of pride and
 honor in order to bring glory to
a
the school. Bedan female ath-
letes are extraordinary ladies,
aiming to prove themselves
against stereotypes who ques-
tion their capabilities. “Usually
kapag babae kasi dapat feminine
kumilos, kaya nagugulat sila kapag
taekwondo player tapos babae.
Dahil babae ka, hindi nila ini-expect
na kaya mong gawin ‘yun,” says
Lou Ann Velasquez, a gold
medalist during the last NCAA
taekwondo competition.
Regina Pajao, one of the pio-
neering volleybelles of the Red
Spikers, share the same senti-
ments on being a female athlete,
“Sometimes it is sad kasi ‘yung
support ng mga tao dito sa San
!
Beda hindi pantay-pantay,” she
said.
Nonetheless, she prefers to
take it as a challenge and not as
an obstacle for her skills to be
recognized by the whole Bedan
community. “You don’t have to
be discouraged if you really
have the passion for playing. I
believe women can also achieve
those things usually accom-
plished by men,” she continued.
You go girl!
Compared to men, women
are generally looked upon as
weak individuals. They are frag-
ile and more delicate, believed
to be incapable of most things
which men can do. However, in
the field of sports, Bedan female
athletes train as hard and sweat
as much as their male counter-
parts. There are no consider-
ations, even on menstrual
cycles. “Pareho lang ‘yung train-
ing. Pantay lang dapat ‘yung sa
lalake at sa babae,” explains Red
Booters assistant coach and Lady
Booters’ trainer John Servita.
Further, Velasquez admitted
that there are moments she has
to endure as a female athlete,
“Physically speaking mas weak
‘yung babae sa lalake. Pero sa
taekwondo kasama talaga ‘yung
ganung masasaktan ka,” she said.
Nevertheless, she also
pointed that the innate dexter-
ity and quickness of female ath-
letes also help out in sports. Add
to this, Velazquez pointed out
that being a second dan
blackbelter provides an inter-
esting benefit to her lifestyle.
“Matututo ka na ng self-defense,
matututo ka pang maging tough,
magiging physically fit ka pa!” she
gaily said.
I’m every woman
While training is at par with
male athletes, female Bedan
athletes still have enormous
work ahead of them. More
than winning glory for the
school, they are battling
for recognition and sup-
port among the studentry
– something that even
other male sporting
teams have failed to
achieve.
The Bedan
female ath-
letes are
all pio-
n e e r s
and as such,
they are tasked to
build the name of
their respective
teams. The Lady
Booters for a time lan-
guished in medioc-
rity before coming
back and winning
their first champi-
onship in 2006.
Faring better
are the fe-
male ath-
letes of
the Red Jins who helped their
team claim the taekwondo
championships in the
81st NCAA season.
Right now, the
volleybelles of
the Red
Spikers
a r e
gear-
i n g them-
selves up for their
debut perfor-
mance – an
event that
many are
waiting
for.
Other
t h a n
that,
Bedan
female athletes also
suffer the same fate as
other less promi-
nent athletic
teams. They do
not receive
any compen-
sation out-
side their ex-
emptions
from their PE
and NSTP classes. “Wala din
kaming scholarships. Siguro it’s support. “It’s
just the passion for the game scary, but it’s a privilege…The
which makes us stay,” says whole team is challenged dahil
Rachel Roxas of the Lady ayaw naming mapahiya. Sana
Booters. masuportahan kami ng Bedan
But with these setbacks, this community,” Pajao said.
early on the female stalwarts of They have what it takes, will-
San Beda has already proved ing to risk it all in the name of
themselves. Regardless of com- the victory. “I’m proud to repre-
pensation and monetary sup- sent the school kasi out of so many
port, these female athletes are women out there isa ko sa mga
fighting for pride and recogni- nabigyan ng opportunity to rep-
tion. resent San Beda,” Velasquez says.
Angel-looking dolls, Fight- When asked why she has this
ing lion babes kind of passion for playing, “It
They are Bedan ladies carry- runs in the blood,” she answered.
ing the name of San Beda Col- They do not just play dolls,
lege. They have the passion and they rock the game. They amuse
the strength. They are thirsty boys, but in the field, they kick
for glory. And this coming balls. They are Bedan female
NCAA season, they could only athletes, more than your girl-
ask for no more than all-out next-door.
 cheering

SBCA
The Red Army
marches on
THE BOOSTERS. The die hard supporters. The sixth
man. Presenting our very own, the San Beda
Cheerleading Association (SBCA).
In preparation for the 83rd NCAA season, the SBCA this year
busied themselves training new members and orienting them with
the new policies in order to instill in them the aim and purpose of
the organization.
Leading the cheering pack in this coming season is chief cheer-
leader John Eric Prado together with female chief Michelle de Leon
and Indian chief Emer Ramada.
This year, the squad aims to add more members to their family
of 21 and with the loss of some of the squad’s nursing cheerleaders,
Prado was quoted saying, “there are a lot of other member of the
Pep Squad who can take the place of the ones who will be missing
the games.”
The Bedan community can expect louder beats from the drums
and fiercer voices to fill the stands as Raul Roque, one of the big-
gest supporters of San Beda, take the helm as the newly appointed
moderator of SBCA.
In addition, the drumrolls and high spirits of the cheerleaders
will not be limited to the Red Lions alone as Prado related to The
Bedan that the Pep Squad will be cheering for other sporting events
as well.
As parting words to the Bedan community, Prado left The Bedan
not with a promise, but a commitment in these words, “to my
fellow Bedans, prepare to love your alma mater because it will
bring you more than the pride and maybe more than glory.”
“With cheers and songs we’ll rally round the canon song of yore,
and the Abbey walls will echo with San Beda’s mighty roar,” he
ended, taking a line from a song entitled the Cannon Song.
(Athena Charmaine Santos)

SBCA officers
Chief Cheerleader John Eric Prado
Female Chief Michelle de Leon
Indian Chief Emer Ramada.
Moderator
Raul Roque

14 NCAA 2007 Issue

 football

Breakaway
peat q Miguel Ebarvia III

KICKING WILL BE harder this

time around.
True enough, there is nowhere to go but up Red Booters’ Lineup
for the Red Booters to stretch their champi- Michael Casas Nayeem Tahil
RED BOOTERS

onship streak to seven this upcoming 83rd Jerome Orcullo James Dimaculangan
NCAA season which will be a first in Philip- Nicholas Leonora Jerry Avarilla
pine collegiate football history. Nixon Leonora Reynaldo Corton
Banking on the maturity and expertise of Jemson Ayuban Ardillo Guarin
the team’s remaining veteran players, assis- Tonton Abiera Mark Angeloe Cortez
Roxie Dorlas Kevin Sendino
tant coach John Servita said the team would
Elizer Fabruada Francis Sumodevila
be able to pull through to the season.
Aaron Altiche Jay Liones
Veterans Michael Casas, James Joseph Rojo Aaron Flores
Dimaculangan, Tonton Abiera, Nayeem Dave Villon Acener Ranay
Tahil, and Joseph Rojo are again expected to
Head Coach
showcase their prowess in the football arena
to sail the team to the finals. Aris Caslib
Servita also proudly paraded the promis-
ing talents of five newly-acquired football re-
cruits in the champion team’s roster hailing
from different provinces of the country.
“Mabilis mag-step up ang mga lumang play-
ers. Malalakas sila. [Dahil dito,] nahahatak ‘yung
mga bagong [recruits to perform well in the
team practices],” said Servita who courteously
granted the interview in behalf of head coach
Aris Caslib since the latter is training the Un-
der 23 national team at South Korea as of
press time.
Asked about the current preparations of the
Red Booters, Servita revealed that the
Mendiola squad is training side-by-side with
the Under 23 national team since Caslib is
also the head coach of the latter.
As for the weakness, Servita admitted that
the team needs to work on their defense.
“Compact pa rin ang team. [Kaso ‘yung] line
of defense alanganin ng konti,” he said.
Now that the PCU football squad has been
slapped with a one-year suspension, Servita
opined that the CSB squad is their main threat
followed by participating members Mapúa
and the UPHDS.

NCAA 2007 Issue 15

 volleyball

RED SPIKERS

Spiking
against all
oddsq Timothy Fino
ONE step at a time.
In spite of having a young lineup, the Red Spikers are still looking forward to this new season with
renewed confidence as they prepare themselves for the NCAA volleyball court hoping for a much
better performance than last year.
Coach Christian John Cuevas, tentative head coach of the Red Spikers, said that the Mendiola-based
stalwarts have joined leagues such as the Toribio Cup to give their players game exposure and to
prepare for the coming NCAA wars.
The Toribio Cup is a pre-seasonal collegiate league joined by different colleges and universities
such as San Beda, FEU, Lyceum, Letran and San Sebastian.
“We joined the Toribio Cup volleyball league to give our players experience and enough game
exposure, nakapasok din kami sa final four [but failed to enter the finals],” Cuevas said.
The tourney gave the Red Spikers much needed experience but
they fell short against FEU in the final four and the Lyceum of
Manila in the battle for third as two of their key players were
injured before the semifinals.
Red Spikers’
Despite the lack of tall players and the loss of their seniors,
Cuevas still believes that the current Red Spikers squad has the
Lineup
capability to improve compared to last year performance. Christian Allan Aguila
“Mas better ‘yung performance nila ngayon. Talagang nag-improve Christopher Neil Cuevas
ang mga players..[madadala natin ang improvement na ‘to sa NCAA],” Aaron Cezar Marquez
Cuevas confirmed. Billy Edzel Satumba
However, Cuevas said that they do not want to jump into any Micheas Victor Macatangay
conclusions regarding their Final Four standing in the NCAA Von Cyriel Mabazza
Sylvester Gil Honrade
stating instead that they will take it one step at a time.
Theodore Christian Samala
“Tignan na lang ang magagawa. Pilitin lahat ng magagawa one step at
Patrik Milan Mendoza
a time,” he cited. Leonel Evan Laraya
Cuevas and the Red Spikers look at Letran and San Sebastian as
Head Coach:
their main rivals in the volleyball court in the coming NCAA
season. Christian John Cuevas

16 NCAA 2007 Issue

swimming

SEA LIONS
Sea Lions’
Lineup
Dive to
dynasty
Ferdinand Frigillana.
Amado Miguel Diaz
Richard Sarino
Jose Miguel Marty
Rocky Gappi
Miguel Francisco Barcial q Eunice Carmela Ariate
Jose Luis Cataluña
Bernard Mark Bueta NEVER SAY drown.
Varon Pagsisihan After grasping their fifth glorious NCAA title, the invincible Sea Lions are now gearing up their
John Micah Bueta champion strokes to snatch another championship plum this upcoming NCAA season.
Romulo Cabal Even though victory has always been associated with the team’s name, the Sea Lions remains
John Vinmar Aniñon modest and are still preparing intensely for their all-time tank rivals, PCU and CSB.
Nico Viña The Sea Lions prepares vigorously by training morning-afternoons and joining off-season compe-
Geneson Mendoza titions that led them to conquer their first international competition - the Hong Kong-Mantas Invita-
Aldrian Reyes tional Swim in which they ranked third out of 17 countries and harvested three gold, ten silver, and
Rommel Clarin eight bronze medals.
Teohdy Gaviño Head coach Gavino Roxas said that this year’s Sea Lions are better than before as nobody left the
Macgyver Reyes team and welcomed three new tankers, namely Jerwin Paragastos
Edson King Dinglasan and John Paul Bautista from University of the East high school and
Head Coach Ergel Arcinas from General Santos City.
“Walang umalis or natanggal sa line-up ngayon. Intact pa din ang
Dondon Roxas team at may mga bago pa. We are aiming to get our
sixth title,” Roxas said.
More, Roxas also revealed that the team is not
only preparing for the NCAA but are also prim-
ing for the Southeast Asian games’ National team
tryouts and the Taipei invitational.
Completing the roster of tankers are Richard
Sarino, Jose Miguel Marty, Rocky Gappi, Miguel
Francisco Barcial, Jose Luis Cataluña, Bernard
Mark Bueta, Varon Pagsisihan, John Micah Bueta,
Amado Miguel Diaz, Romulo Cabal, John Vinmar
Aniñon, Nico Viña. Geneson Mendoza, Aldrian
Reyes, Rommel Clarin, Teohdy Gaviño, Macgyver
Reyes, Edson King Dinglasan and 82nd season swim-
ming tournament MVP Ferdinand Frigillana.
Undeniably, with all the team’s effort to train
eagerly and to win every competition, this Sea
Lions are raging their way in notching another
championship.
NCAA 2007 Issue 17
 table tennis

RED PADDLERS
Red Paddlers’
Lineup
John Benedict Cruz
Gylur Villar
Nikki Jay Jaspe
Mark Jester Tariga
Joe Louie Ramos
Gerald Marin
Head Coach q Jacqueline Anne Chua
Kurt de Guzman

Signed,
Sealed,
Delivered
THEY SIGNED THE contract, they sealed the deal and though they have yet to
deliver, they are more than ready to fly their way to victory.
After finishing fourth in the 82nd NCAA season, the Red Paddlers are now eager to
compete and bring home the championship plum.
The squad aims to take home this year’s NCAA championship crown by
intensifying their daily training routine wherein they will begin working
on their physical condition and table skills while giving their 101% during
the upcoming games.
Also, Red Paddlers’ head coach Kurt de Guzman will be exposing
his players to several tournaments including the annual Rector’s cup
of University of Sto. Tomas, Ateneo Cup, and the Unigames to further
enhance their ability.
This season’s lineup includes veterans
John Benedict Cruz and Gylur Villar for
singles while Nikki Jay Jaspe and Mark
Jester Tariga will continue to compete
for the doubles division together with
freshmen players Joe Louie Ramos and
Gerald Marin.
Although having a powerful set of play-
ers, de Guzman still considers all of their op-
ponents to be strong and fully prepared for the upcoming season.
“Sa tingin ko, lahat ng kalaban namin malakas dahil lahat ng team balanse [at fully
prepared],” he said.
Despite having tough competitors, the team still believes that with prayer
and thorough practice they have a big chance of winning the championship.
“I always tell my players that if they want to win there are many ways. Kompyansa at
alisto ang importante sa laro,” de Guzman ended.

18 NCAA 2007 Issue

taekwando
IN THIS TOURNEY
Red Jins’ Lineup

RED JINS
of points, silvers kick
harder than gold.
Loreto Velasquez This holds true for the Red
Jose Emmanuel Enriquez Jins as they failed to grab last
Dexter Cabradilla season’s NCAA champion-
Gilbert Velo ship plum, falling short by just
Julius Cingco two points and yet the same
Butch de Vera fate is upon them again this
John Ekid coming season due to a lack
Patrick Niño Ferrer of good players to battle the
Kenneth Koda odds.
Sirus Bongalos With zero recruits and a
Aris Sagoso lack in financial assistance,
Red Jins head coach Noel
Head Coach Veneracion expressed his sen-
Noel Veneracion timents about the lack of sup-
port for his team which poses
a huge hindrance to their path
towards the prime spot.
“I only have seven na magagaling na players na black-
belters. Nauubusan ako ng players kasi limited ang bud-
get ko kaya wala akong power mag-recruit ng players.
With this format [point system], no way akong mananalo
[sa championship] kapag wala akong twelve solid play-
ers,” Veneracion stressed.
In addition, Veneracion explained that the NCAA
will be utilizing the same point system it used last
season with the team garnering the highest over-
all points to be hailed as the champions, dimin-
ishing the importance of individual medals.
“Nawawalan na ng bearing ang mga medals. Mas
mabigat na ngayon ang dalawang silver [medals]
kaysa sa isang gold [medal]. Kaya mahirap talaga
mag-champion lalo na at kulang ako sa magagaling
na players,” Veneracion expounded.
Amid the rock-bottom challenges and lim-
ited resources, the Red Jins still boast an array of
hard-hitting blows and groundbreaking kicks through key ath-
letes such as current team captain Loreto Velasquez, two-time
former national team member and last year’s team captain Jose
Emmanuel Enriquez, Dexter Cabradilla, Gilbert Velo, Julius
Cingco, Butch de Vera, and John Ekid.
Finally, Veneracion sets his eyes at reigning titleholder CSB
as the top team to beat, but also senses Letran as another major
threat due to their intensive recruitment program.

q Ramon King III

So much
for gold
NCAA 2007 Issue 19
 track and field

Gasping

RED TRACKSTERS
for air
q Ralph Rudolf Adelino TIRED BUT STILL on
the run.
Despite the valiant efforts ex-
erted, the San Beda Red
Tracksters was not able to bring
Red
home the crown as they landed
on the eighth spot last season.
Tracksters’
This time around though,
they hope to finish better.
Lineup
Assistant coach Mario Kaje Pablo Fadera
Borromeo admits that the team Josephh Pabiton
will still have a hard time bring- Timothy Veron
ing home the crown this year as Micheal Robert Lavado
they still have problems with John Carlo Olaso
Jason Oliva
the development of the players.
Benju Reynald Pausanos
He also added that they are
Christopher Frederick Del Castillo
having trouble recruiting play-
Martin Andrew Baldos
ers because the school could not Rogelio Siccion
provide full scholarships to the Paul Gromlieng
other players. Juan Miguel Tapia
“Undermanned kami ngayon Charles Adrian Arriola
kasi halos lahat ng players dine- Dhelmar Moreno
develop pa lang unlike ‘yung Head Coach
ibang school, recruit at scholar
lahat”, coach Borromeo said. Churva lou
Despite these problems, the
team is still gearing up for the
upcoming NCAA wars as they
conduct several training ses-
sions inside and outside the
school.
“Uma-attend kami ng mga mara-
thons para sa endurance tapos
nagte-training din kami sa PICC
at Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Sa
field kasi bawal mag-throws at
jumps, puro runs lang ang
puwede”, coach Borromeo men-
tioned.
Expected to step up for the
team are veterans, Christopher
Frederick Del Castillo, Rogelio
Siccion and Dhelmar Moreno.

20 NCAA 2007 Issue

 lawn tennis

Smash to
the top
RED NETTERS

q Marjerie Ann Ramos

BEING SECOND BEST is not an option.
After reaching a bridesmaid finish last NCAA season, the Red Netters is all geared up and now ready to
conquer the tennis courts with a better and stronger team.
Red Netters head coach Jovy Mamawal said that he has better expectations this year after successfully recruit-
ing a new set of tennis racketeers, setting his goals on nothing less than bringing home the championship
trophy.
“Kung last year kulang tayo sa manpower, ngayon naman sobra pa. The last time na nagkaroon ako ng ganitong
complete team, ‘yun ang huling championship natin sa tennis,” Mamawal said.
The Red Netters’ lineup includes experienced players topped by team captain Nic Fernandez, veterans
Gerber Mamawal and Jopy Mamawal, and Duma Boloto who is now eligible to participate in
the NCAA after his one-year residency.
Further boosting the Red Netters’ prowess are
new recruits consisting of Arthur Taffalia
from Doha, Qatar; Gerome Patrombom Red Netters’
from Iligan, Lanao del Norte; Patrick
Arevalo from Batac, Ilocos Norte; Lineup
Kevin Flores from Mamburao,
Nic Fernandez
Mindoro; and Jaime Mamawal,
Gerber Mamawal
brother of Red Netters’ head coach.
Jopy Mamawal
Although the Red Netters are
Duma Boloto
jam-packed with remarkable players
Arthur Taffalia
this year, only four will be qualified to
Gerome Patrombom
take part in the NCAA, encouraging each
Patrick Arevalo
one of them to work on their best
Kevin Flores
smashes to claim one of the four spots.
Jaime Mamawal
“Basically, they have six months to
prove themselves para mailagay sila sa Head Coach
lineup. They would have to fight for their Jovy Mamawal
spots,” Mamawal explained.

NCAA 2007 Issue 21

 chess

Back
RED WOODPUSHERS
with a
vengeance
q Miguel Ebarvia III

SHARP MINDS, big hopes.

Now that the PCU team was banned from joining this
year’s tournament, Red Woodpushers’ head coach Harold
Mariano has every reason to be jubilant.
Mariano confidently assures that the Woodpushers’
standing would dramatically improve from last season
sixth place finish through the abilities and strategies that
his team will display on the chessboard once the tourna-
ment is opened.
The team will also be ready to outsmart their oppo-
nents with veterans Glenn Mendoza, Joey Angelo
Mendoza, Jomar Cawili, Carim Panumpang and
Emmanuel Caparas all geared up to rally the Mendiola-
based squad to greater heights.
New bloods that will add firepower to the team are
Sherwin Sia and Joseph Navaro, both already established year residence at San
Beda, together with reserve players Leo Bunag and Joy Carungay.
“[Definitely], aakyat kami kasi sila (veteran
players) pa rin ang dating players. [Wala masyadong
natanggal sa lineup],” Mariano grinningly said.
As for the practices, the team is tuning up
Red
their opening and ending moves that would
nail a win for them according to Mariano.
Woodpushers’
For the team to achieve such stunning
performance this season, they have to deal
Lineup
Glenn Mendoza
with, what Mariano said, their greatest chal-
Sherwin Sia
lenge: balancing academics and the sport.
Leo Bunag
“Malakas [kung] sa malakas ang team. Solid
Joseph Navaro
ang team. [Kaso] ang kalaban nila ay academics.
Joey Angelo Mendoza
Nasa San Beda tayo eh,” Mariano grimly
Joy Carungay
blurted out.
Jomar Cawili
The stumbling blocks, according to
Carim Panumpang
Mariano, that the team needs to pass
Emmanuel Caparas
through to be able to have a decent
Head Coach
finish in the season are the teams of
Churva
San Sebastian, Mapua, and Letran.

22 NCAA 2007 Issue

forum
In necessariis, unitas;
in opinabilibus, libertas; in omnibus, caritas.

volume LXV no.2

Emmanuel James G. Mangahas
Editor in Chief
Carlo Benedict B. Sison
Associate Editor
Ramon E. King III
Managing Editor
Bryan M. Balco
News Editor
Miguel D. Ebarvia III
Features and Reviews Editor
Eunice Carmela M. Ariate
Cultures Editor
Jameel Joshua A. Pielago
Sports Editor
q Editorial Board
The school chanted “End 28 at 82” last season, what do you think
should be this year’s yell? Mia Caluttung
Business Manager
“Dynasty at 83!” “PCU, where are you?” Jacqueline Anne Chua
-Yangkidudel, 4IRR -Gloc_09, AMC ‘07 Office Manager
Timothy Fino
Circulations Manager
“NO TO UNIFORM!” “Yes to uniform!” hehe.. q Managing Staff
-psycho_dude -Winnie the Pooh, 4APH
Patricia Rea Cadaoas
Julius Charles Mariano
“Unity at 83!” “Koy at 84!” Mona Katherine Felicidad San Juan
-Macho man, 3ABE -non-practicing virgin stikes again q Senior Staff

Mary Anne Laurice Chavez

“Chupungco at 84!” “Umpa! Umpa!” pa rin! Proofreader
-Willy Bank -Virgil Ralph Rudolph Adelino
Christian Villanueva
Editorial Cartoonists
Danna Katrina Lim
What would be the Red Lion’s greatest strength this season? Jeremy Magpayo
Stephen Russel Keith Valera
I think their strength lies on the solid line- Syempre, kahit wala na si coach Koy, Photographers
up magaling naman si coach Frankie! q Technical Staff
-Student 1 -Kotsylepew
Marc Israel Castro
Juan Ramon Galicia
New recruits like Lanete will give an ex- Syempre the fans and the cheering will Loise Laine Limos
tra boost to the team be an important factor this season Jordan Carlo Mariano
Bernadine Anne Catheryn Pabellan
-Castro, APH ‘07 -Chief dela Vega, 3ALM Marjerie Ann Ramos
q Junior Staff
Sam Ekwe pa rin! I think mai-inspire sila sa mga freshmen
-Ekwe’s number one fan, 3IRR na naka-dilaw. Hehehe… joke. Jose Ma. Arcadio Malbarosa
-Jio Aquino q Technical Adviser

About the cover

is published by the students
of the College of Arts and Sciences,
San Beda College

Member:
College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Newsroom 34B-1, St. Anselm’s Hall, San Beda

College, E. Mendiola St., San Miguel, 1005 Manila
Tel. 735-6011 to 15 loc. 4117
thebedanmananambol@yahoo.com

NCAA 2007 Issue 23