El Obrero Section C

MatchPoint El Obrero June–September 2011

This Sporting Life Sports Bureau Director: Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot

20/20 Vision

“Writing is prayer.”

Section C

Barking dogs...

Theme: „Shine as light in the world‟

SJCSI 2011 Intra M Meet eet kicks off F

inally after weeks of preparation, both high school and college Josephians once again gathered for the holy mass at the grotto, grand parade around the town center, and opening program on a rainy Monday morning at the school grounds for the simultaneous intramural meet, Sept. 5–9. The Rev. Nathaniele A. Denlaoso, chaplain, together with the Rev. Randy B. Tic-ing, officiated the special mass. It was followed by the parade of the different year levels and college departments with their respective muses and the candidates for Mr. and Miss Intra Meet. During the opening program, the Saint Joseph College of Sindangan–High School band presented a Drumline exhibition despite the rain. Michael E. Tan, president of the college Supreme Student Council, gave the welcome message. ―This week-long activity gives us the opportunity to show

the talents that each one of us has as a true Josephian. We are going to shine not because we will win, but because we exhibit fair competition,‖ Tan said. Jerome R. Siso of II-St. Elizabeth, a regional level tennis player, lit the friendship torch, carried it around the field, and brought it back to the grotto. After which the Rev. Denlaoso formally declared the 2011 Intramural Meet open. The hoisting of delegation banners followed. For the high school, the seniors raised their banner ahead of the sophomores, juniors, and freshmen. For the college teams, the College of Business Administra-

tion hoisted their banner the fastest, beating the College of Accounting Technology–Information Technology and the College of Arts and Sciences–Education. Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot, president of the high school Supreme Student Council, led the oath of sportsmanship. Jerome E. Ochavo, MAEd, overall in-charge of this year’s intramural meet and literary– musical contests, gave the closing remarks. Soduko and Rubik’s Cube as well as the first elimination round in basketball (men) between the freshmen and seniors immediately began. (William A. G. Bulaqueña)

Seahawks soar over Crimson Friendship torch. Jerome R. Siso carries the torch around the school grounds after lighting the symbolic flame during the intra meet opening ceremony.

Sindangan puts up DepEd reg’l sports fest SEA Games on 11/11/11

old medals, 542. Sports, 44. Countries, 11. Venues, 2. The XXVI South East Asian Games 2011 will be held in Palembang and Jakarta, Indonesia. The SEA Games Organizing Committee ensures to make the Indonesia SEA Games memorable by choosing to hold the opening ceremonies on Nov. 11, 2011, or 11/11/11 and the closing ceremonies on Nov. 22. The biennial sports festival will take place in Jaka Baring Sports Complex, Palembang; and in Jakarta at the Bung Karno Main Stadium, the largest and oldest stadium in the country. Both ceremonies will be held in venues along the banks of the Musi River and the historic Kuto Besak Fort. Athletes from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam will compete in 44 measured, games, martial arts, and concentration sports. Among the uniquely SEA Game events are futsal, vovinam, kempo, and pencak silat. Indonesia hosted the X SEA Games 1979, XV SEA Games 1987, and XIX SEA Games 1997. (William A. G. Bulaqueña)

indangan National Agricultural School and Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School hosted the 2011 Department of Education Regional Sports Festival for Teachers and Employees, July 29–31. Around 600 participants from the nine divisions of Region IX–Zamboanga Peninsula participated. DepEd officials from the regional office graced the opening ceremony at SNAS gym. The participants, mostly physical education (MAPEH) teachers, competed in badminton, basketball, chess, table tennis, lawn tennis, darts, and volleyball.

All seven sports events were held at the SNAS grounds. Each delegation came with their technical and officiating officials and tournament managers. The athletes came from the divisions of Dapitan City, Dipolog City, Isabela City, Pagadian City, Regional Office, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte. (Amy K. J. Andus)

Blue volley belles toss yellow, green Under the scorching sun, the junior women’s volleyball team easily smashed the sophomores to add five gold medals to their lagging tally that Thursday morning, Sept 8. The first set was already intense as both teams showed their skills in overhand digs and jousts. The blue team led early with 15–8. Shiela C. Tormis, the captain ball of the juniors, gave the shots for them to lead the first set after gaining straight points. Sweet Jane A. Fat, the sophomore captain ball, threw sharp serves but to no avail. Mae Jean E. Ducoy showed agility to dig and recover, but Irish B. Niñofranco received them well. However, the juniors were

hat better way to pump up the competitive spirit of Josephians for the next five days of games and sports than to root for the college basketball varsity team win in an exhibition game in their home turf? The cagers from Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City, blasted off with the first shot by Dixon Punzalan. Their tight defense prevented the Seahawks from scoring to consequently hold on to their 4point lead by the end of the first quarter. Three-point shots stormed the second quarter as point guard Punzalan and forward Jefferson Abalo showed their shooting skills that still kept WMSU in the lead. However, the Seahawks managed to stop the Crimsons’ drive and penetration with their sudden change in defensive tactics—from whole-court trap to half-court trap man-to-man. ―Because of the tough press breaker of WMSU, the whole court trap did not work. After the 8–0 blast of easy game, we were forced to change

our defense,‖ coach William Calvo said. The second half started with great exchanges of incursions and shot selections. In the third quarter, Seahawks broke WMSU’s 2–3 zone defense and tied at 42–42. Four minutes and 42 seconds of the third quarter, Seahawks guard Edmar Salac did a fast break and a lay up through a clear basket, and brought Seahawks into a 2-point lead. This was followed by captain Wayne Jalosjos’ followup shot that never gave their opponent a chance to respond. The crowd of students and outsiders boomed as winger Reynante Devila’s 3-point shots rained the court. The Seahawks’ half-court man-to-man and press breaker to WMSU’s zone defense proved effective when third quarter ended with a 17-point lead in favor of the Seahawks. SeahawksC2

unstoppable with Shiny Love E. Esic’s strong jump serves to close the first set, 25–21, to their favor. Losing the previous set, the sophies struggled to clinch their rivals. They could not direct the ball back to the juniors who had a much tighter defense. Neither could they prevent the ball from being grounded in their court. Throughout the second set, the blue team served their aces and solid smashes to tear into the yellow team. The game ended with the juniors hitting 25—to the delight of their screaming supporters— while the sophies got stuck at 10. In the elimination rounds, the juniors beat the freshmen, 25– 18, 25–17; and the seniors versus the freshmen: 25–13, 25–8. Exhibition game. The SJCS Seahawks beat the WMSU Fighting Crimson, 79-76, in a friendly match during the intra meet opening day, Sept 5. (Bill E. Dagondong)

El Obrero MatchPoint│June–September 2011

Sports and Politics

Meldrid B. Baculpo

Sports Opinion Mens sana in corpore sano

he human body is a perfect creation. With its different parts, we can do different things simultaneously or multi-task and be capable of doing physical activities. With a perfectly fit body, we can draw attention from people around us. But a fit body alone cannot surpass an activity that requires both physical and mental abilities. Briefly, nobody wins a game with the mind flying and the fit body trying its hardest. It is our responsibility to preserve and protect our body from anything or any condition that deteriorates health. A healthy diet and lifestyle can contribute greatly to a sound health of an individual. Good nutrition, rest, and sleep in adequate proportions, a balance between one’s work and environment as well as surroundings are all the essentials of a fit and healthy body. Likewise, one can add shine to one’s body by practising yoga or meditation. We can see how our body becomes healthy, how it reshapes into a desired form, but still this body needs something that makes it a sound one—a sound mind. A sound mind is free of all mental worries and tensions, stays cool, understands the reality, and thus maintains equilibrium with its environment. Ideally, it is really difficult to have a sound mind. Perhaps rarely one would find a sound mind because a normal person can have mild stresses and worries of daily life, but we cannot consider these factors as unhealthy. However, a sound mind is a kind of mind that can withstand the stresses, has coping skills, has defense mechanisms, and has an ability to overcome the troubles of everyday situations. The World Health Organization defines health as ―a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.‖ So having a sound body also requires a sound mind. We cannot do things with just our body alone. We should also consider great thinking and concentration to avoid errors in judgment. Just remember that a sound mind plus a sound body is equal to victory in every aspect of life.

Editorial

Checkmate

Joelan M. Tongco tongco.joelan@yahoo.com

hess has been called by some as ―the highest plane of human pleasure;‖ and by others, ―an admirable effort of the human mind.‖ No doubt it has been a truly fulfilling pastime for people of all ages—a far cry from the religious leaders’ condemnation of the game in the past as a sinful diversion.

All the right moves The Philippines is the first country to officially endorse the inclusion of chess in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Jose ―Peping‖ Cojuangco, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, supported Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE), who visited Manila to gain more support from members countries. However, FIDE has for the past 10 years lobbied incessantly to get chess into the winter Olympic Games, not into the already diverse summer program, but without success. The decision on which sporting events to be included in the Olympic Games lies solely in the hands of the International Olympic Committee. While some events easily get the nod from the committee, others leave the public baffled. Take for example table tennis. It is an Olympic event but golf is not. Other sports that are considered ―major events‖ such as baseball and softball have not been considered worthy of the IOC approval. And so is chess despite being a legitimate sport played internationally. As of late, Ilyumzhinov has offered to carry out chess demonstration games during the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He considers that the presentation of chess at the 2014 Games will help engage this sport in the program of winter Olympic Games. Winter Olympic Games are strictly those played on ice or snow. For chess to be entered in the winter games program, it is necessary to add a phrase ―intellectual games,‖ according to the FIDE head. Another variant is to use ice chess or plastic chess pieces with ice inside. The Philippines has several world-class chess players who can give the country a medal should the sport become an official sporting event in the Olympics. In fact, the Philippines finished a strong second in the men’s chess division in the recent Asian Games, second only to China. The inclusion of chess in the future Olympic Games will give our chess grandmasters Wesley So and Mark Paragua the opportunity to compete in the winter games. The Philippines last sent a delegation to the quadrennial event in 1994. Like the medieval Arabs who carried the game with them to the western world and popularized it, the Filipinos’ participation in chess in future Olympics will surely provide a chance for us to win a medal and re -awaken the Filipinos’ interest in chess and sense of patriotism.

Time-out

A tribute to the referees

n any sporting event, the famous teams, the wild crowd, and star players are all we can notice. But how about the person who calls the foul? Who truly watches the game closely with his naked eyes? Can we notice him at all?

Reymund D. U. Jugalbot reymund.jugalbot@ovi.com That is the referee. By the way, a referee is a person of authority who is responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and makes on the fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport. Technically, any match cannot be called a game without a referee. This kind of job is not as easy as we think because a referee does not only know the rules and mechanics but also has a positive attitude towards the players of that particular game. A referee is sometimes called an umpire, a judge, an arbiter, a linesman, a commissar, a timekeeper, or a touch judge. The

title depends on the game or sport being played. In basketball, football, soccer, and other big sport games, a referee also runs like the players. He must be close to the action in order to have a clear view of the goings-on. Sometimes he is even hit by the ball, but that is part of being a referee. He risks himself in order to make a good call. Seldom does a referee’s decision make a player mad at him. Poor one, fortunately, a referee can call or give a technical foul or red card for that player anytime once he executes an unpleasant deed within the game. We cannot imagine what a referee would look like if he were beaten by the players for just a simple call they did not like. But a referee is not perfect. He cannot see every move of the

A tale of six cities

players in the field. His sight is limited, and he calls decisions based on what he sees. In spite of the risk, he faces the consequences of his decisions as he strives to make the game as clean as possible. Some referees are old already, but we cannot force them to retire because the game may be their passion or career. Admittedly, most of them are not regular salaried employees but dependent on per-game-basis take-home pay. The real priceless income from refereeing a game is the acknowledgment and appreciation from the players and the crowd. Let us all put our hands together for them for doing such an honorable job, and may the virtues of honesty and good attitude be with them. They are the real playmakers not only in a game but also in real life.

20/20 Vision

he winning city will have the best of times; and the losing bidders, the worst of times.

The International Olympic Committee has begun the selection process for the host city of the 2020 Summer Olympics. As a major international sports and cultural festival, it will be celebrated in the tradition of the Olympic Games. The host city will be elected in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during the 125th IOC Session on Sept. 13, 2013. The following cities were formally nominated by their respective National Olympic Committee to host the 2020 Games: Baku, Azerbaijan, announced on Sept. 1 that it submitted its bid. It has already hosted several sporting events. Doha, Qatar, announced in August that it was bidding, too. Qatar was granted by the IOC to host the games in October due to extremely hot weather in summer. If Qatar wins, this will be the first time for the games in the Middle

East. Istanbul, Turkey, was nominated in July and confirmed by the Turkish government. Among the bidding countries, Turkey has yet to host an Olympics. Madrid, Spain, was confirmed by the Spanish government only in July. Spain hosted the games in Barcelona last 1992. Rome, Italy, was chosen instead of Venice as the candidate for Italy’s bid. Rome already hosted the games in 1960. Rarely did it happen in the past that the same city would host the games twice. Tokyo, Japan, also expressed interest and confirmed its bid in July despite the earthquake and tsunami that devastated much of eastern Japan. On the other hand, one of the rings of the Olympic logo represents Africa. The modern

El Obrero MatchPoint ▪ Sports Bureau Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot Director Writers and Contributors: Marc Caen C. Aricheta • Tanya Grace Anne A. Benitez • William Andrew G. Bulaqueña • Julius Zeth N. Calumpang • Bill E. Dagondong • Judee B. Garsuta • Ma. Joeresa P. Jamora • Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario • Mary Grace J. Parilla • Kevin G. Siasico • Joelan M. Tongco Correspondent: Amy Kosela J. Andus (SJCSI The Staff) Artist/Cartoonist: Meldrid B. Baculpo Photojournalists: Reginald Clement S. Pondoc • Kevin G. Siasico Visit our Facebook fan page for the 2011 Intra Meet coverage.

Kevin G. Siasico siasico_kevin@yahoo.com

games have never been held in that continent since 1896. No bids from countries in Africa have ever succeeded. In Africa, no other country has won more Olympic medals than Kenya—thus, making that country a strong contender if it ever submits a bid. Come 2013, the Olympic host nation and city will be named. True to the Olympic spirit, the important thing is not to win but to take part.

Seahawks . . .

From C1

In the final quarter, WMSU’s center Jaypee Padua dominated the under basket, but the menacing Seahawks were uncontrollable. WMSU Fighting Crimson’s 2-point shots were answered by Jalosjos and Devila’s 3-point shots. The friendly game ended with the Seahawks’ home court victory, 79–76. (Marc Caen C. Aricheta)

El Obrero MatchPoint│June–September 2011

Beware of the Azkals

Round

Barking dogs occasionally bite...

Controlled by the Philippine Football Federation, the Azkals represent the country in the international football stage. They are among the oldest national teams in Asia but the PHL team has never qualified for either the Asian Cup or the World Cup.

It had been a very long time already when the team last enjoyed success from 1913 to 1934 in the Far Eastern Championship Games. But when they defeated Vietnam 2–0 in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, they awoke the national consciousness of the Fili-

Leg

Date and Venue

Teams

June 29, 2011 Sugathadasa Stadium Colombo, Sri Lanka July 3, 2011 Rizal Memorial Stadium Manila Aggregate Score July 23, 2011 Mohammad Al Hamad Stadium, Qadsia July 28, 2011 Rizal Memorial Stadium Manila Aggregate Score

Sri Lanka vs. Philippines Philippines vs. Sri Lanka

uch was the fate of the Philippine National Football Team popularly known as ―Azkals‖ or the Filipino term for street dogs. Either they were the underdogs or the mixed-race players, they were earlier on the right path but eventually got lost along the way to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

1 2 2

pinos in the field of football, or soccer as it is known here. In September 2006, the PHL team fell to 195th on the FIFA World Rankings. By the end of that year, the team moved back up to 171st overall after a good kick in the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship qualification. They won three games in a row, which was a first for the Philippines, and thus qualifying for the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship. Prior to these victories was their first ever win of the tournament in 2004. Since 2007, the PHL team had failed to qualify for a major competition. They came close in 2008 after missing out on the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup only on goal difference, and the 2008 AFF

Waiting to erupt

hanks to their underwear billboard controversy, a lot of us would not have heard about them or known that rugby was played professionally in the country.

Rugby

Tanya G.A.A. Benitez tanyabenitez98@yahoo.com

Nicknamed the ―Volcanoes,‖ the Philippine national rugby union team actually represents the country in international rugby union. They have been playing in the Asian Five Nations–PacificAsia since 2008. Even though they are currently in Division I, they still have to debut at the prestigious Rugby World Cup. Although the sport has been played mostly by expatriates in Manila for decades now, the Philippine team played internationally for the first time only in May 2006. The Philippines won the match versus Guam 18–14 courtesy of its squad of long-term expats and a few Filipino players. In December 2006, the PHL team went undefeated in the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU). A year later, an all-Filipino team was selected for the 24th South East Asian games in Thailand where they reached the medal rounds after two days of pool matches. Defeating Malaysia earlier and being defeated by host Thailand later, the silver medal performance was a stellar accomplishment for the team.

Scores

Result

1–1

Draw

4–1

Won

5–1

Won

3–0

Failed

2–1

Failed

5–1

Failed

Kuwait vs. Philippines Philippines vs. Kuwait

Suzuki Cup with an inferior goals scored record. In 2010, they qualified for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, where they stayed undefeated in the group stage and also went on to beat defending champions Vietnam, becoming one of the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament. The team reached the knockout stage for the first time, eventually losing to Indonesia in the semi-finals. In 2011, the Philippines qualified for the AFC Challenge Cup for the first time since qualifiers were introduced in the tournament. On July 3, 2011, the Philippines recorded their first ever victory in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, beating Sri Lanka 4–1 in the

Flashback

Philippine Volcanoes In 2008, the Volcanoes dominated the fourth tier of the ARFU Asian Five Nations series by beating Brunei in a historic 101–0 and Guam, 20–8. The following year, the team won the inaugural Asian Five Nations Division II rugby tournament in Parañaque City. By defeating Iran and Guam in their two matches, the PHL team was then promoted to the Asian Five Nations Division II. Just last year, the Volcanoes defeated number one seeds, Thailand (53– 33) and host India (34–12). While the other international teams receive extra funding from the International Rugby Board’s Major Market Funds and train in Springbok Academy or in Rugby Academy in New Zealand, the PHL team relies heavily on the generosity of local business and rugby enthusiasts at home and overseas. The news of their earlier success and the fact that rugby was played in the Philippines attracted would-be players from mixed ethnicity. Since 2006, the team has added more and more

Sports News & Features C3

players of Filipino heritage; and for the first time, the team has had a Filipino coach, Expo Mejia, since last year. The present Volcanoes’ squad includes four sets of brothers. The future seems even brighter for the team. They vanquished all four rivals, including powerhouse Kazakhstan, in the Asian Division II Championships in Laos last year. Aside from their moniker, the Volcanoes refer to themselves as the ―Sons of Lapu-Lapu,‖ the first Filipino hero who repelled Magellan back in the 16th century. Even though they may come from rugby-playing nations but brought together for sharing the same special rugby ethos, they convey good old-fashioned national pride. Not all team members reside in the Philippines, but they are all true sons of the nation— worthy to be emulated as sports heroes who have lived their motto of ―Respect, Discipline, and Proudly Pinoy;‖ and transcended their ―brief‖ encounter.

Chess This position, from an England–Netherlands game in the 1995 Moscow Olympics, looks fairly quiet, but black is tied unpleasantly to the defense of e6. How did white break through? (Solution on C4)

Football

Mary Grace J. Parilla marygrace.parilla@ovi.com second leg of the first preliminary round. They advanced 5–1 on aggregate, drawing 1–1 in the first leg before winning at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The Azkals’ 2014 World Cup dream was cut short when they were beaten by the formidable Kuwait Al-Azraq, 2–1 (5–1 final aggregate score) at Rizal Memorial Stadium on July 28. The lone goal was scored by midfielder Fil –German Stephan Schrock who, together with team captain Alexander ―Aly‖ Borromeo, missed the first leg due to suspension. The Azkals lost to a better team but they inspired a new generation of players with dreams, too. Win or lose, football is here to stay. Black 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a

c d e f g h White (to play)

2011 Intramural Meet Medal Tally Games and Sporting Events Badminton (Men) Badminton (Women) Badminton-Doubles (Men) Badminton-Doubles (Women) Banner-Raising Contest Basketball (Men) Basketball (Women) Chess (Men) Chess (Women) Darts (Men) Darts (Women) Darts-Doubles (Men) Darts-Doubles (Women) Games of the Generals (Men) Games of the Generals (Women) Long Jump (Men) Long Jump (Women) Mini-Marathon (Men) Mini-Marathon (Women) Rubik’s Cube (Men) Rubik’s Cube (Women) Sepak Takraw (Men) Shot Put (Men) Shot Put (Women) Soduko (Men) Soduko (Women) Standing Long Jump (Men) Standing Long Jump (Women) Table Tennis (Men) Table Tennis (Women) Table Tennis-Doubles (Men) Table Tennis-Doubles (Women) Triple Long Jump (Men) Triple Long Jump (Women) Volleyball (Men) Volleyball (Women)

B G BB GG * ** ** BB BB B * SS ** ** BB B * * S B * ** * * * S B B G S GG SS G * * *

Competing Year Levels II III IV

G * GG ** SS Bx5 Bx5 GG * S S ** BB GG ** * S * * S B BB B S B * * * S B BB BB * G Bx5 Sx5

S B ** BB BB Gx5 Gx5 SS SS * B BB SS BB GG G B GS * G S SS S B G G S S * * * ** B B Sx5 Gx5

* S SS SS GG Sx5 Sx5 * GG G G GG GG SS SS S G B GB * G GG G G S B G G B G SS GG S S Gx5 Bx5

8 13 27 3

22 19 14 2

27 25 9 1

Medal Summary

Gold Silver Bronze Ranking

7 7 14 *

Sports

Winning form. Fresh Grace A. Romero of IV-San Lorenzo Ruiz jumps at 10.2 ½ ft to win the women‟s long jump event.

Seniors leap to victory

Juniors cage Sophies

El Obrero MatchPoint│June–September 2011

iving up to the altius motto of the games came easily for the seniors in two of the three measured sports.

In the standing long jump events, Neil M. Manguilimotan was ranked first at 7.7 ft in his second attempt. Fresh Grace A. Romero was also ranked first for her second and final attempts at 6.1 ft. In the long jump events, Romero set the highest record for the women’s division at 10.2½ in her third attempt. Rey Michael O. Anadeo, junior, topped the men’s ranking with 12.4½ ft in his final attempt. Michael John U. Panong, senior, came second at 11.9½ ft; and Christian B. Dolandolan,

freshman, third at 11.8 ft. In the triple long jump events, freshmen Dolandolan and Dennis P. Endrina led the ranking with 12.2 ft. They surpassed their earlier best of 11.11 ft that Manguilimotan, a senior, equaled in his third attempt. Franz Angelo A. Labadan, junior, was third at 11 ft. Among the women jumpers, Aiza Abegael D. Camal, sophomore, set the all-time high of 10.1½ ft in her second attempt. Seniors Romero and Jezza Joy M. Castolo were second at 9.1 ft. (Ma. Joeresa P. Jamora)

unior cagers hauled whooping five gold medals in men’s basketball when they narrowly overtook the sophomores in the championship game at 2 p.m., Sept. 8. During the first and second quarters, the game was a close call when both teams showed their best form. The winners automatically got the gold while the losing team settled for the bronze. In the third quarter, the junior rookie Harold M. Andabon gave straight points. Refusing to be left behind in the tight fight, captain ball Rey C. Alcober of the sophomores also threw in straight points. He showed a lightning lay-up and a flying shot. The junior guard moved back when Alcober threw the shot

that gave the sophies a lead, 38– 37, for the first time. However, the euphoria of that lead was cut short when Alcober was disqualified after being found out to be under the influence of alcohol—a violation of the intramural meet rules and regulations— only during the half time of the third quarter. The blue cagers were then unstoppable that the yellow men could not lead anymore. The juniors gave the finishing rainbow shot that led them to victory, 56– 53. (Bill E. Dagondong)

Yellow checkmates blue

rom castling to promotion, the sophomore trio proved that the only way to be the chess wizards was to check the junior team where escape was impossible. On Board 1, Rhave I. Barcelo was one of the toughest players of the yellow team. He thwarted Heron M. Dumajel’s king from escaping through his tactics and strategies to win the match. Mark Christian C. Dionaldo, the Board 2 player, was aggressive to attack Jacques A. S. Simbulan’s men and eventually to destroy the junior’s defense. Board 3 player Fivos C. Patsalidis was rather tricky to just wait for the right moments to strike at Remart A. Dadan’s positions. Patsalidis spent many a

good time seeking for the right moves to assail Dadan’s men until the blue player was under threat of capture that could not be avoided anymore. Per official results submitted by Pastor Max Ramos Jr., the tournament arbiter, the sophomores earned 10 points; the juniors, 6; freshmen, 5; and seniors, 3. In the women’s division, the seniors redeemed the men’s poor standing by leading with 9½ points. The juniors, freshmen, and sophomores trailed at 6, 5, and 3½ points, respectively.  (Julius Zeth N. Calumpang)

Seniors keep up winning streak Champions for the nth time

inning was a tough feat after the round-robin eliminations, but carrying on the winning tradition was even tougher for the seniors.

The winner stands alone. Reymund D. U. Jugalbot accepts the trophy for the seniors who topped the 2011 Intramural Meet medal tally.

With a final medal tally of 27–25–9, the lord of the scoreboard took the tallest trophy, the perpetual banner, and the title ―Overall Champion of the 2011 Intramural Meet‖ during the awarding ceremony at the high school outdoor stage, Sept. 15. Right after the flag ceremony, Cristina S. Bajalan, MAEd., principal, gave the opening remarks. Michael A. Masalta, the Supreme Student Council adviser; Reymund D. U. Jugalbot, SSC president; and Yanessa Naval, SSC vice-president, assisted Bajalan in handing out the trophies to the participating year levels.

Governors Roxanne Dataro, junior; Joyce Nicole Jalosjos, sophomore; and Sean Maverick Realista, freshmen, accepted the trophies for the first, second, and third runners-up, respectively. Jugalbot, also the senior governor, received the championship trophy then helped in unveiling the perpetual banner. It is presently on display on the outside wall of IV-St. Rita. The winners of the dance contests in the literary–musical night presented their winning dance routines: the group impersonation and the somersaulting hip-hop by the seniors. (Reymund D. U. Jugalbot)

Josephians run for gold

f all the events in the intramural meet, only the 2-km mini-marathon on a balmy Thursday morn was reminiscent of the ancient Olympics in spirit and form. Held outside the campus, the marathon was run as a road race from Disud Elementary School, the starting point, to the finish line under the overpass connecting the two campuses. Each year level had a maximum of three runners. They converged at the starting point for the 6-a.m. event on Sept 7. The high school marathoners started first, then were followed by the college runners. In the men’s division, Remart A. Dadan, a junior, dashed to the finish line first. He was followed by Joelan M. Tongco, another junior, and Sidney Rico T. Rebollido, a senior.

In the women’s group, Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario, a senior who was the undefeated marathoner during the previous two intramural meets, was once again triumphant by leading April Maureen R. Lumahang, a freshman; and Fresh Grace A. Romero, another senior. The word marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger who was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon, which took place in August or September 490 B.C. (Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario)

Sudoku. Judee B. Garsuta solves the “challenging” puzzle.

Juniors: b-t-b sudoku wiz

udoku, short for soji wa dokushin ni kagiru, means ―the numbers must be single‖ or ―the numbers must occur only once.‖ However, the winners may come from the same year level. Jake B. Magallon and Judee B. Garsuta, both juniors, proved to the non-sudoku ―kukus‖ that no computation was needed for this logic-based number placement puzzle. Held right after the opening ceremony on Sept. 5, the tournament eliminations were in easy, moderate, and difficult levels. In the men’s division, Mariel S. dela Cerna, senior, was second while Reger Ed A. Caperig, sophomore, was third. For the women’s, Ma. Allysa Shyn F. Rosado, freshman; and Mara Aubrey Sistine L. Escoreal, senior, were the silver and bronze winners. (Judee B. Garsuta)

Seniors slam sophies, 3–2

hristen Mae E. Casoco and Cindy Rose O. Bugay, senior table netters duo, showed their exemplary techniques to defeat the sophies, 3–2. In the first set, the senior pair released their smashes but the sophies were also alert to defend with their unremitting drop shots. Casoco gave her killer serve to Ahra M. Baynosa, but the latter returned the ball with her quick backhand. With nothing to do, the seniors lost the first set to the sophies, 11–7. In the second set, the game peaked into its climax. Casoco and Bugay were in high spirits and regained composure. Niña J. A. V. Nugas gave the top spin in her serves, but Bugay was ferociously determined to control the rolling ball back to their opponent. The sophomore pair had no idea how to defend that killer smash and lost the set, 11–3. The competition was tension filled when the crowd went wild for the sophies. Casoco applied her sizzling top spin, but Nugas alertly used her drop shot. The third set ended favoring the lower year, 11–8. In a desperate bid to conquer the fourth set despite the astonishing forehand and backhand smashes by their rivals, the seniors were able to get back in the game, 13–11. In the final set, the senior pair released their unstoppable smashes and forehand techniques to victory, 11–4. (Joelan M. Tongco) Solution to Chess Game (C3)

Jump for joy. Remart A. Dadan dashes to the finish line during the early morning marathon from Brgy. Disud to the SJCSI overpass.

1. Bc7! 2. Qxe6+ Ke8 3. Qg6+ Rf7 4. Ne6 Qb6 5. Nxg7+ Kf8 6. Ne6+ Ke8 7. Qg8+ Rf8 8. Ng7 mate