The UP Pep Squad wowed the judges with a colorful and lively “Hala Bira” fiesta theme. The act garnered a total of 440.9 points in the cumulative judges’ rankings, dethroning erstwhile champions, the FEU cheering squad, who dropped to second place with 421.4 points with its Japanese Samurai routine.

Manwhile, the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, is back into the top three with its “White Tiger” theme after gaining 407.5 points.

Completing the list are, Ateneo de Manila’s Blue Babble Battalion at fourth. De La Salle University’s Animo Squad placed fifth place, University of the East finished sixth, National University at seventh place, and at the last, Adamson University Pep Squad.

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.

The double-header, originally scheduled last Saturday, will pit FEU and Adamson in the 2 p.m. women’s Finals, and La Salle Zobel and Ateneo in the 4 p.m. juniors Finals.

Game 1 of the men’s seniors championships between Ateneo and University of the East, originally scheduled last Sunday, will take place this Thursday.

Now, the fierce rivalry between Ateneo de Manila University and De la Salle University has spilled over into A(H1N1) arena. Sort of.

According to the data from the World Health Organization (WHO), swine flu has spread to 66 countries with 19,273 people known to have been infected since the disease was first uncovered in Mexico in April.

Spread it is.

Last week, CHED moved school opening to June 15 when a foreign student of La Salle was confirmed positive of A(H1N1). A few days later, a second foreign student from La Salle was tested positive for A(H1N1). And on June 10, Ateneo de Manila University suspended its class for ten (10) days when three high school students tested positive for swine flu.

If you’re counting, Ateneo leads La Salle three to two.

(The students responded well to treatments and is reportedly feeling better. I hope this swine flue flies out of our country already.)

Name: Rabeh Al-Hussaini
Birthday: August 11, 1988
Weight: 240 lbs
Height: 6’7

Former Team: Philippine Christian University Baby Dolphins
Current Team: Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles
Jersey no: 19

How did you start playing your sport?
I started when I was twelve (12). I never really intended to play that sport though.

Reasons for competing in that sport?
I started playing so that I could help my family with its financial problems so I could get a scholarship and study for free.

Were you a varsity player during your elementary and high school days?
I started playing first (1st) year high school.

How much do you usually spend playing sports?
I never really played heavily on the streets. I learned and honed my skills in Philippine Christian University.

What do you do when you’re not playing sports?
Usually, I play computer games. Sometimes I hang around campus fields and jog around.

What are your greatest achievements/awards/moment as an athlete?
I got an award during my third (3rd) year high school in PCU. I was the most defensive player back then. Now in college I got a breakout season during my fourth (4th) year and bagged multiple awards.

• Mythical five (5)
• Appeton Most Improved Player of the Year
• Jolibee Champ of the Year
• Most Valuable Player of the Year

What’s your course? Are you enjoying it?
Well, basically you just have to get used to it. Specially here in Ateneo, there are no special treatments. No matter who you are or how good you are, once you are in this school, you are just a regular student and have to fulfill the requirements of the school.

My course is inter-disciplinary studies taking up the tracks of Psychology and Communications. My course is about multiple courses taking up in the same time.

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?
When i was I kid, I really never looked in the future, I always look on whats in front me and what I have now.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Where do I see my self in five years? I still don’t know. Let God do the things for me and I will just keep working on what I have.

Any lucky charm? Where’d you get it?
I don’t believe in any lucky charms, premonitions etc. what I believe is that what you put on practice will come out in the game, if you work really hard, all things will become easy. But when you star playing around, your game will surely drop.

Who are the players you look up to or any idols?
In the NBA it’s Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan. In the local PBA, it’s my brother Carlo Sharma.

Thanks for your time, Rabeh. God bless and good luck! Image by Joseph Le.

I also got the chance to feature another Student-Athlete from Ateneo. She’s Nicole Taleon of the Blue Lady Paddlers. Here’s some things you might want to know about her.

image courtesy of ck chua of fabilioh.com

Name: Nicole Taleon
Birthday: Feb 7, 1988
Weight: 110 lbs
Height: 5’2

College Team: Ateneo Lady Paddlers
Former Clubs: SSA- Bacolod Table Tennis Team, SSA-Bacolod Swimming Team
Current Club: Ateneo Table Tennis Team
Sports: Table Tennis, Swimming
Jersey no: 7

How and why did you start playing your sport?
I was really a swimmer before i was a table tennis player. I started swimming competitively when I was 6 yrs old. Then I started playing table tennis when I was in 4th grade. I trained for both the school’s swimming and table tennis varsity team. I started swimming because I come from a family of swimmers. Table tennis? I really don’t remember why I started playing this sport. haha =)

Were you a varsity player during your elementary and high school days?
Yup, swimming and table tennis during elementary. Then just table tennis during high school.

How much do you usually spend playing sports?
For the past 3 years, 3-4 hours everyday. Right now, once a week. =(

Where do you usually play?
Blue Eagle Gym

What do you do when you’re not playing sports?
Sleep, Study, Gimik!

What are your greatest achievements/awards as an athlete?

1994 MILO (Bacolod) Swimming Champion
1995-2000 numerous swimming awards
1998,1999 NOPSSCEA Swimming champion
1999 NOPSSCEA Table tennis champion
2000-2004 variety of swimming and table tennis awards (cant remmber exactly)

Personally, I think my achievements are different from awards. Listed above are just awards. My greatest achievement as an athlete was (and still is) being able to balance my academics with sports. And of course, being part of a great team. ATENEO PADDLERS I LOVE!!

What’s your course? Are you enjoying it?
I’m done with my 4-year course. I’m in 1st yr Medicine proper right now

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 planned to be an astronomer or an astro-physicist at NASA. haha, no I’m not fulfilling it… YET. Maybe I could still work at NASA but as the resident doctor.

Is it hard balancing academics and athletics at the same time? How’s your studies?
VERY hard. Acads are O.K.

Thanks for granting me the opportunity to feature you here, Nicole and for your valuable time. I know medicine is quite a time chuncker as my twin brother and my big sister is and was a med student, too. Hope you continue playing your sports and God bless! And one last thing, always stay fit! – Galwin

image of Angeline Marie Gervacio

Name: Angeline Marie. A. Gervacio

Birthday: Dec. 30, 1991

Weight: SECRET!! haha :)

Height: 5’6

College Team: Ateneo de Manila University

Sports: Volleyball (W)

Position: Open Spiker

Jersey no: 6

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

I was an athlete since grade five (5).

What are your greatest achievements/awards as an athlete?

Being part of the NCR delegation in the Palarong Pambansa ’07 & ’08

What’s your course?

AB PolSci

Are you enjoying it?

we’re still taking up basic subjects this 1st semester

When you were a kid, what do you want to be?

I wanted to be a lawyer!

Are you fulfilling it?

step by step :)

Is it hard balancing academics and athletics at the same time? How’s your studies?

It’s not too difficult as of the moment. I still get to enjoy my breks:)

Any lucky charm? Where’d you get it?

My clips? I got it from Divisoria. :P

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

Charo Soriano & Nerissa Bautista

This no-bearing game is a good preview for the incoming UAAP season.

After regulation, both teams had it 65-65. They are now playing each other in over time.