UAAP Season 74 Volleyball Tournament Schedule. Image courtesy of Pinoy Spikers.

Show that school spirit and watch UAAP Season 74 Volleyball Tournament.

Dennise Michelle Lazaro

Den, as her teammates call her, says, “My mom got me into the sport; she used to play back in the day”. Den joins four other rookies in a team looking to reload its roster following the departure of key players to graduation. Despite this, however, Den says “[The team still] has an intact line-up from last season, and with their experience and heart, Ateneo will be number one.”

While the rookie admits to being overwhelmed and anxious at the same time, she has no time to feel the jitters because volleyball training, consisting of plyometrics and drills, kicked off early in the summer.

When asked about her idols, the libero says that she looks up to Ateneo volleyball alum Charo Soriano, whom she got to spend some time with during this year’s Shakey’s V-League. Tennis superstar Serena Williams is another of her sports favourites.

Her sports credo – passion is key – may just be the winning attitude the team needs to garner another podium finish. And as Coach Roger Gorayeb looks to improve from last season, Den adds to the team’s continuous growth and strengthening foundation.

Shaira Gonzalez

Birth date: June 15, 1989
Height: 5’7
Course: 3rd Year BS Management
College : Far Eastern University
High School: Imus Institute High School
Elementary: Anabu II – A Elem. School

Image by: GearHead

Lyceum Lady Pirates

Lady Pirates crush Tams and gains playoff spot. The Muralla-based squad stayed on course of its first-ever title bid in the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

The Lyceum now has six win and five losses as it tied Ateneo in third heading into the last quarterfinal play date where it will face ousted National University on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Morayta-based Tamaraws dropped to five wins and 6 losses, turning its final match against Ateneo a battle for the last semifinal berth in the season-ending conference organized by Sports Vision and backed by Accel, Mikasa and Excelroof.

Two German teams are eyeing former Far Eastern University volleyball star Rachel Ann Dacquis to reinforce their respective title quests in separate regional meets.

The 5-foot-9 Daquis, one of the most popular volleyball figures in the country, had received offers from GFL Hannover and SC Langenhagen, and the 22-year-old lass said she is inclined to accept one of them.
But before she could start playing, she must first stay in Germany and enroll in a university – a condition she must satisfy as required by both clubs.

“They actually want me as their import. But they said they cannot afford to shell out huge money for me because in Germany it’s very costly to hire foreign imports. So they instead suggested that I study there and they will take care of the rest,” said Daquis, a Far Eastern University Business Management graduate.

Daquis plans to fly to Germany next month and apply for a Sports Deutsch course at the University of Hannover, a step towards fulfilling the condition.

Daquis got the attention of the two clubs when she went to Hannover, Germany to visit her family last February.

While there, she tried out and trained with the two teams.

Of the two clubs, Daquis said she would prefer SC Langenhagen, a team competing in the 2nd Bundesliga, a regional competition. GFL Hannover is competing in an inter-town league.

The last time she wore a volleyball uniform was last year when she played as guest player for the Lady Tamaraws in the Shakey’s V-League.

With her apparently serious intention to join a German team, fans may have seen the last of her in green with yellow stripes uniform.
“I’m thinking hard about it (immigration to Germany) because you have to consider that my family is already living there,” said Daquis, who is currently taking up a one-year German language course.
A two-time Best Server awardee in the UAAP, Daquis powered the Lady Tamaraws to a “three-peat” in the UAAP starting 2004.

Champion Team gone Kaput.

When the Mapua Men’s Volleyball Team won their last championship in 2002, with no clue, the team was disbanded. It’s such a waste that a team that had just won a championship wouldn’t be able to participate and to defend their title the following academic year. The lone reason that I could think of is that the administration lacks the financial capacity to support athletic scholarships for the student-athletes.

Having a Volleyball Team would require at least six (6) players that can play, but no school would participate with just those amount of players, the very reasonable number of players would be around nine (9) to twelve (12). As such, providing athletic scholarships to that many students would require a handful amount of money.

Since then, the Mapua never joined the the National Collegiate Athletic Association Volleyball Tournament that is played every first semester of the academic year. You won’t find any athlete wearing the Cardinals  logo in the tournament’s three divisions:  Juniors for high school students, Seniors for male college students and Women’s for female college students from school year 2002 to 2008.

Mapua Volleyball Team in the 85th NCAA Tournament.

You read it right, after seven (7) years of absence, Mapua is going to bring in it’s student athlete’s back on the  volleyball court this coming 85th season.

But this time, it’s the girls that will shine.

Mapua is a school better known for being a male dominant school, maybe, just maybe, to boost the number of students in the distaff side, the school chose to include a team not on the men’s but on the women’s division.

I don’t know if it’s the official lineup but looking at the present players  practicing at the gymnasium,  albeit with the inclusion of a former beach volleyball player, I honestly think that they’re a little too shabby, hey, that’s just for me.  Nonetheless, I know they’re the best that the school has to offer and they’re a hard worker so they’ll be fine. They’ve got a big heart and they love the game.

For fellow Mapuans reading this article, let’s take a little look from the past, the Mapua Volleyball Team had won one (1) juniors Volleyball Championship (1978-79) and ten (10) Men’s NCAA Volleyball Championships (1960-61,1965-66,1966-67,1967-68,1968-69,1969-70,1970-71,1974-75,1997-98 and 2001-02). With 11 Championships under the Cardinals’ wings, it looks pale compared with San Sebastian’s 43 but we are still third in the league after Letran’s 24 Championships.

What can you say?

Do you think it’s a good idea that they bring back a sports team instead of planning and implementing a better athletic program for the current sporting events that Mapua currently participates?  And do you think putting up a women’s team instead of a men’s team a better idea (Just so to clear things, I’m not against having the women’s team. Quite the contrary, I’ve been longing for it.)? Share your thoughts below.

Name: Danielle Michiko Castaneda
Birthday: July 9 1986
Weight: 135 lbs
Height: 5’10

College Team: U.P volleyball team
Sports: Volleyball
Jersey no: 3

How did you start playing your sport?
When I was in High School I was into Basketball, but for some reason they took the sport out, the only varsity team left is volleyball, and that’s how it all began.

Reasons for competing in that sport?
It’s fun! And the sport is more on strategy, it’s not all about power, kaya there’s always room for experimentation… yun yung fun part!

Were you a varsity player during your elementary and high school days?
Back in elementary it was all basketball, I started playing volleyball when I was in 4th year H.S

How much do you usually spend playing sports?
Before I used to play as in everyday, now that I’m working I usually play during the weekends, or only if I have the time.

Where do you usually play?
U.P. before in U.S.T (natl team)

What do you do when you’re not playing sports?
Surf the net, play with my niece and nephew, play guitar freaks, chill at my friends house, party,take pictures whenever there is time to shoot..board(skateboard) with friends.

What are your greatest achievements/awards/moment as an athlete?
Well I don’t have any awards, but probably the best thing that happened to me as an athlete was when I got in the national team.

What’s your course? Are you enjoying it?
Special education, I always wanted to be a teacher…YUP IM ENJOYING IT!!!SUPAAH!!

When you were a kid, what do you want to be? Are you fulfilling it? Or do you have plans of fulfilling it in the future?
I always wanted to be a teacher! yeay!!! I’m finally a teacher! Probably make a non-profit organization for children with special needs, be like an ambassador for something…only a dream but I’m slowly fulfilling it.

Is it hard balancing academics and athletics at the same time? How’s your studies?
Well I finished college not with flying colors but with good grades. I guess that’s good enough. Besides, I have a great job. Not that I’m bragging about it. Hahaha! I’m just proud! That’s when I proved that you can balance academics and sports, its all about time management and a lot of hard work and patience!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Where I am right now is where I wanted to be. A simple life. Just enough to be satisfied with what I have.

Any lucky charm? Where’d you get it?
Lucky charm? Hehe! WHERE CAN I GET ONE? PLEASE TELL ME… ahahaha!

Who are the players you look up to or any idols?
Rubie de Leon, Charo Soriano, Ging Balse, Carmela Lopez(my teammate)

Name: Aileen Abuel
Birthday: april 17 1989
Weight: 55kg
Height: 5’8

College Team: DLS-HSI (de la salle health sciences institue )and DLSUD
Current Club: dlshsi womens volleyball team
Sports: Volleyball
Jersey no: 17

How did you start playing your sport?
During my highschool days Iparticipated in inter-private schools and got recruited from other schools to play.

Reasons for competing in that sport?
Self-satisfaction and to meet other people!hehe!

Were you a varsity player during your elementary and high school days?
Yes.

What do you do when you’re not playing sports?
Study, sleep and eat.

What are your greatest achievements/awards/moment as an athlete?
When I reached Palarong Pambansa and when I got recruited from regional and National PRISAA.

What’s your course? Are you enjoying it?
Nursing! Minsan oo, minsan hindi..hehe!

When you were a kid, what do you want to be? Are you fulfilling it? Or do you have plans of fulfilling it in the future?
To be a doctor someday but now I don’t have any plans to pursue it. Hehehe!

Is it hard balancing academics and athletics at the same time? How’s your studies?
Yup…for me its hard. Lalo na sa course ko but I can still balance it :)

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I think nagwowork na ko nyan :) Nurse na ko!

Who are the players you look up to or any idols?
Michelle Carolino

Name: Xavier Conrad Fernando Señoren
Birthday: March 23, 1990
Weight: 160 lbs
Height: 6’0

College Team: ADMU Men’s Volleyball team
Former Clubs: DLSZ Juniors Volleyball Team
Current Club: ADMU Men’s Volleyball team

Sports: Volleyball
Jersey no: 09

How did you start playing your sport?
I got recruited way back in grade school and I never stopped playing.

Reasons for competing in that sport?
Even though it’s a non-contact sport, people could still talk and taunt each other and that’s the beauty of it.

Were you a varsity player during your elementary and high school days?
Yep. Grade 5 till 4th year high school.

Where do you usually play?
UAAP Games at The Arena and FEU GYM

What do you do when you’re not playing sports?
Party or hangout in the mall.

What are your greatest achievements/awards/moment as an athlete?
MNCAA Best Attacker, DLSZ Outstanding Athlete, Rookie of the year, and DLSZ Most Improved Athlete.

What’s your course? Are you enjoying it?
BS COMTECH in Ateneo and yes, I’m enjoying it.

When you were a kid, what do you want to be? Are you fulfilling it? Or do you have plans of fulfilling it in the future?
I’ve always wanted to be a doctor but I guess it’s all down the drain now. I’m now trying to be business-oriented because I want to be a business man.

Is it hard balancing academics and athletics at the same time? How’s your studies?
Well nothing is really hard if you have time management. I’m not excelling in studies but I could catch up with the lessons I missed from joining tournaments.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Working.

Any lucky charm? Where’d you get it?
I usually have rituals I do before each and every game and it seems to be working. Haha!

Who are the players you look up to or any idols?
Timmy Sto. Tomas! My teammate and good friend.

Photo by Nolan Empalmado/Fabilioh.com

Name: Karla Bello
Birthday: April 24, 1986
Weight: 115 lbs
Height: 5’3″

College Team: Ateneo De Manila University
Sports: VOLLEYBALL!
Jersey no: 5

How did you start playing your sport?
I started playing when I was in grade 4. But I joined the team when I was in grade 7 -Miriam GS. From then on, varsity na ako.

When I was young, we had this sports fest in our village… but they wouldn’t let me play because I was too young. So I wanted to learn how to play, joined the team and then learned to love the sport!

Reasons for competing in that sport?
Well, it would be because of my teammates. They’re my friends and family narin. So I compete for them para sa mga paghihirap na pinagdaanan namin. (yuck cheesy! Haha. But it’s true! )

Were you a varsity player during your elementary and high school days?
Yep, from grade 7 and buong High School.

How much do you usually spend playing sports?
Noon? Every freakin’ day. Hahaha. Ngayon, once in a blue moon.

Where do you usually play?
Blue Eagle Gym!

What do you do when you’re not playing sports?
Study. Yuck. Haha. And on my free time? I go out with the men’s team, wherever they are –mostly dota. Hahahahahahaha!

What are your greatest achievements/awards/moment as an athlete?
Best server for one Shakey’s V-League conference. Syempre when we placed third and second sa V-League.

What’s your course? Are you enjoying it?
Masters in Business Administration. Hell yeah!

When you were a kid, what do you want to be? Are you fulfilling it? Or do you have plans of fulfilling it in the future?
Flight attendant, so I can travel the world. Hehe. But right now… I’m looking for other jobs that does traveling too. Hehe.

Is it hard balancing academics and athletics at the same time? How’s your studies?
Not really, I survived didn’t I? Hehe. MBA’s looking good, about to finish in 6 months… sana!!!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Working, and hopefully, traveling

Who are the players you look up to or any idols?
Yumilka Ruiz from Cuba and Maurizia Cacciatori from Italy.

Thanks for granting me the opportunity to feature you here, Karla. Continue playing great volleyball, more power and God bless! Oh, as I always say, stay fit! – Galwin