Sports Magazine 2014 by The Crusader Publication

Contents 1 | Editorial 2 | Column

Six Stand Strong:

The 2014 Cheerdance Competition

6 | Sports News

Cover story

As They Conquer:

12 |

Warriors reclaim throne after two years

One Family

27| Cora Contrabida: Pageants, Placards, and Posts 28| Kuris-kuris

25 The Cover

he Warriors’ two-year drought has come to an end. After being dethroned by the dauntless Tigers, the Warriors finally succeeded in reclaiming the rightful spot they all know too well – at the top. Determined than ever to dominate this year’s Intramurals, the Warriors crushed their rival’s hopes of obtaining a three peat. The battle is over. The Warrior finally speared its closest rival, the Tiger, and conquered others who vied for the gold. Words by Ainah Fatima Roqaya A. Datu-Ramos Photo by TheCrusader Design by Francis Ryan O. Avellana

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The official student publication of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

Editors Louren B. Aranas Editor in Chief, Andrew Rey L. del Fierro Associate Editor, Rico M. Magallona Design Editor, Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe A. Lozarita Managing Editor, Rezza Mae B. Tolinero News Editor, Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas Campus Features Editor (Interim), Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera Local Features Editor, Marina M. Garcia External Features Editor, Ma. Isabella C. Agawin Sports Editor (Interim), Jericho B. Montellano Graphic Design and Layout Editor, Paul Clinton B. Balase Photography Editor, Christian Loui S. Gamolo Freehand Editor (Interim) | Finance Officers Rochelle D. Barros Auditor, Yoshabeth A. Valdehuesa Senior Finance Officer, Maria Gladys B. Labis Junior Finance Manager | Managers Ben Clark B. Balase Human Resource Manager, Jigo L. Racaza Office Manager, Marlon R. Boro Circulation Manager, Keith Obed J. Ruiz Video Productions Manager, Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas Online Accounts Manager, Mchael D. Poncardas Senior Computer Systems Manager, Jo Marie Claire B. Balase Junior Computer Systems Manager| Staff Writers Jose Luis Martin D. Amador (Trainee), Robin Maeve T. Bacarro (Trainee), Romualdo Manuel C. Bacungan III (Trainee), Lorenzo A. Botavara (Trainee), Ainah Fatima Roqaya A. DatuRamos (Trainee), Daphne J. Dujali (Trainee), Mary Antoinette M. Magallanes (Trainee), Melrein John D.R. Viado (Trainee) | Staff Artists Evan B. Aranas (Trainee), John Niccolo A. Aquino, Ben Clark B. Balase, Marlon R. Boro, Mirachelle L. Broñola (Trainee), Kimberley Mae V. Llano (Trainee), Sittie Naisha D. Munder (Trainee), Jigo L. Racaza, Mark D. Rodriguez (Trainee), Keith Obed J. Ruiz, Jan Michael A. Sy (Trainee), Ronan Jay Tolinero (Trainee), Lynette L. Tuvilla (Trainee), Deanne Antonette B. Yecyec (Trainee), Lorenzo B. Yecyec (Trainee), Venice Marie P. Villo Moderator Ms. Ann Catherine Ticao-Acenas For contributions, please address your articles and/or comments to: The Crusader Publication Office, Rm. 302, Student Center Bldg., Xavier University 9000, Cagayan de Oro City Circulation: 7, 500 copies

Editorial

The price of Intramurals

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Illustration by Marlon R. Boro

romoting sportsmanship, physical fitness, and camaraderie among students ─ this statement captures the purest, truest essence of Intramurals. Its existence is grounded on these reasons. In light of the recent commercialization of Intramurals, it is understandable that concerns on whether sponsorship preserves this spirit have arisen. Should an entity outside the XU community wield significant influence in University events? Does its presence change the identity of a University event simply to a commercial one? Not necessarily. As XU students, we are aware of the limitations of our University and thusly are pressed to find other ways to compensate for these losses. The Central Student Government and all college councils in the university, for example, agreed to exclude the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals event during their preliminary planning of this year’s Intramurals, a decision that was made due to insufficient funds on the college councils’ side. It was then that Unilever approached CSG and offered to sponsor both the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals and a Master All-Stars game, offering to cover all expenses needed to make these events happen in return for the endorsement of their product. Indeed, Unilever’s presence in our University’s Intramurals was all-too conspicuous, ranging from using their products as proof of entry to their events to having the contenders of Mr. and Ms. Intrams display their brand to the student populace, figuratively transforming them into endorsers of the products. This is not to say that sponsorship entails purely negative consequences ─ in fact, many of our University’s events depend on cooperating with outside parties. Without sponsorship, students would be unable to enjoy plays produced by The Xavier Stage and Dulaang Atenista. However, one can’t help but question whether it was appropriate that the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals event required students to pay Php 50 worth of the sponsored brand from a mall to vote and heighten their representatives’ chances of winning. The event then places more emphasis on the financial support each college’s members are capable of contributing rather than any other form of support. Even in the Master All-Stars game, which featured at least three prominent basketball players from each college to compete for gold, students had to pay Php 10 worth of Master products to spectate the game. Though these sponsorships have aided the CSG in providing necessary resources to make the Intramurals a success and in offering more benefits to those attending the events, the Intramurals can gain these with more student-friendly agreements. As the CSG’s budget for the Intramurals includes only the opening ceremony, the cheerdance competition, several non-sports awards ceremonies, and the closing ceremony, sponsorships have lessened their expenses, thereby allowing them more freedom to give higher-quality outputs. The Intramurals provided students a venue to support their college through various activities while also being a rare opportunity for businesses to interact with and make themselves more visible to otherwise uninterested students.. But the business must respect the boundaries placed by the entity it chooses to sponsor. Similarly, we must be wary of the influence of outside entities; of whether or not an event loses its meaning in the process of desperately trying to fulfill it. Sponsorships may not have free reign over their terms, as this is an agreement made by both the CSG and the company, but understanding the limits needed before becoming a highly commercialized event should be taken into consideration. Although it is understandable to take the offer in exchange for easing the financial burden of two events, we lose control over something that was meant to endorse the students of the University, not its benefactors. When we decide to exchange one thing for another, we must bear in mind that what we want is not always what we get; that we risk losing what lies beyond the value of funds and resources. The price we pay may be steeper than we thought.C

Opinion

Who’s second?

ntramurals’ flips and kicks, jumps and snatches, tosses and smashes are over. Beyond the rankings and scores, we have witnessed the response of victorious athletes and distressed teams to a game’s conclusion. Skills not directly taught in the classroom are needed in handling pressure and remaining composed after undesirable name-callings and bullying from fellow students who are supposed to support their college representatives. In the end, everybody seems to be so obsessed with being on top. The question is always “Who is the champion?” Does anybody care to ask who placed second, third, and so on? At some point, yes, just to compare the winning streaks from last year. But what does being a champion entail or offer? The importance of magis has been inculcated in the community. Indeed, students tend to do more especially during the Intramurals. Having conquered the four sides of the mats for a match against other colleges made me witness how one’s “game face on” turned out to be a trend, energy drinks became everyone’s best friend, and fists sought for a place on certain faces. All athletes gave their best but not everyone could snatch top spot.

Feature

Kindled Serotonin By Rezza Mae B. Tolinero

Perhaps being a champion offers a sense of pride that everyone will vie for but the essence of Intramurals goes beyond bragging rights. Intramurals enables students to develop and showcase their physical capabilities; it becomes a venue for them to venture into a new experience while bringing the name of their colleges. Thus, Intramurals is never a matter of life-and-death like The Hunger Games. No name-callings or even bullying from the audience is required to claim the gold and annihilate the opponents. Being on top is great but nothing is wrong with ranking second either. In fact, some colleges with smaller populations are unable to participate in several sports events due to lack of budget. Thus, they are deprived of the chance to advance their college to championship. If not about the finances, a college’s small population hinders them to complete lineups for all events. Accordingly, not being the champion does not imply a college’s mediocrity; other colleges may have more resources. Ranks are just a part of the Intramurals. One might end up whining for not winning; but in accepting defeat, one looks forward to victory in the years to come – more passionate, more prepared, and more determined.C

Which team are you really on?

A major seven By Ma. Isabela A.C.Agawin

“Fight, fight! Blue and white! Go, go Ateneo! Sisboombah! Xavier Crusaders! Xavier Crusaders!” From the moment we entered XU as freshmen until we’ll have graduated, this chant will probably be stuck in our head as it reminds us of our school spirit. We take pride especially when the University’s varsities, The Crusaders, end victorious in interschool competitions. The Crusaders are not to be interchanged with the official student publication and the official yearbook—which are two different organizations. They are our varsity; the team that represents us during games and brings pride to our school. Now, let’s ask ourselves: Where were we when they needed us most? Explain the empty gymnasium seats or the domination of guest students from other schools during most Cagayan de Oro Schools Athletic Association (COSAA) games this season. Explain the overflowing support for the athletes during Intramurals but minimal cheers during varsity matches. Maybe XU philosophy teacher, Richard Jeffrey Ocampo, was right when he said, “We take so much pride as Blue Eagles and not as Crusaders.”

During the volleyball match between the Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles and the National University Lady Bulldogs on August 16, the line reached the outskirts of campus just so everyone would get in. But during the COSAA volleyball matches this season, people barely lined up to witness the game. This lack of support has been going on for quite a while. Where is our support for our varsity? Are we aware of what The Crusaders bring to XU? Aside from participating in COSAA games, our varsities are also sent to compete with other Ateneo schools all over the Philippines such as the Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM). Some of the teams will be playing for the University Games this October in Bacolod and SEAP Mindanao Games on February 2015. Fight a good fight? Why can’t we offer encouragement through our mere presence and moral support in the events? Why can’t we muscle up courage and support our team? How can we call ourselves Ateneans if, in the first place, we don’t even don’t know how to own it? Which team are you really on?C Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

Opinion

Id Est By Andrew Rey L. del Fierro

The image, shattered

ince its establishment three years ago, the Mr. and Ms. Intrams beauty pageant’s status as an actual Intramurals event has remained a topic of much debate. Fans of the event enjoy seeing different young men and women represent their college on the stage, while its detractors find little athletic merit in its activities, consisting mostly of a Q&A session, a talent portion, and an informal ─ albeit awkward ─ singing competition. On a separate, seemingly unrelated matter, the College of Engineering recently butted heads with several individuals who were offended by their controversial signage bannered during the Intramurals closing ceremony. The individuals associated with the sign were reprimanded for their “un-Atenean” behavior and were accused of tarnishing the image of the University. These two events have more in common than you think. Beauty pageants, constantly criticized for promoting superficiality, is structured in such a way that contestants must present the most perfect and appealing image of themselves in order to win. The contest usually provides the audience no opportunity to examine any aspect of the contestant beyond their physical appearance, instead relying on a series of hasty questions that serve as the basis on which the judges’ and spectators’ opinions are formed. One misstep, one action deemed inappropriate could mean the death of a contestant’s chances of winning, having failed to fit into the judge’s superficial image of the ‘perfect’ winner. Starting to sound familiar?

Relating pageantry to the controversy regarding the inappropriate signage seems like a bit of a stretch, though both situations contain the same guiding principle: maintaining one’s image and reputation at any cost. While preserving one’s reputation is indeed important, the claim is only as concrete as the reality substantiating it. An obsession with maintaining the image of an ideal Atenean risks forgetting that action precedes reputation; that the latter is an inadvertent consequence of the former, not its primary directive. You can argue that this point of view is unrealistic. People have neither the time nor the desire to commit anything more than a surfacelevel examination. Truly, it is tempting to lie back and let others dictate what an Atenean is and what it isn’t. A college’s reputation—a reputation of solidarity further reinforced by the actions of many defending the few—should not have to be sacrificed for the sake of preserving the University’s. You don’t need to hate what pageantry represents; you don’t even need to find eight reasons to love it. However, the next step necessary for our development as true Ateneans—or as good people—depends on whether we merely define what our values aren’t or start embodying them, lending weight to our words when we claim what they truly are. When conflict is inevitable and our character is questioned, action alone determines our fate. We can worry about our image afterwards.C

Photo by Paul Clinton B. Balase and Jigo L. Racaza

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ntha By Sama

Isabelle

ith only six colleges vying for the trophy, this year’s competition proved to be like no other. The quest for the title has become fiercer than ever and the stakes have been raised even higher. With two competitors already missing, small blunders are more noticeable and could potentially cost ambitious squads the crown. With every participant pushing their limits to achieve mindblowing stunts and dazzling throws, this year’s cheerdance competition has undeniably driven the sports event to new heights. Due to late night practices, the Center for Integrated Technologies (CIT) has decided to pull out of the competition to let its students focus more on their education. Low enrollee turnout, coupled with most of its students living in far areas, made it difficult for CIT to ensure safety and a secure budget to its squad members. The College of Nursing was also unable to join in this year’s competition. As of press time, they have declined to comment on their decision to back out from the competition.

itzschia

N yas and H. Baga

A headstrong charge Almost tasting victory in last year’s competition, the Aggie Bullwhippers returned with a ravenous desire to nab the championship. Their entrance was met by loud cheers to welcome the team presumed to be one of the strongest contenders for the trophy. However, due to a wrong countdown in their routine that caused them to repeat their music, their claim to the throne was off to a weak start. Trying their best to recover from the blunder, they countered with dangerous tosses, snappy motions and handsprings that quickly transitioned to stunts. Despite shaky bases, fallen flyers, and almost miscalculated catches, the Bullwhippers forged on, executing group stunts that consisted of a series of toe touch basket tosses and cupies that wowed the crowd. At the end, they wore their masks to perform a segment of fast-paced motions that topped off the performance with the whole squad in a bow. With spectacular motions helping them

. Lozari

Beroe A assiopiea

recover from their slip-up, the Aggie Bullwhippers barely survived the lash they received in the beginning as they sit in sixth place with 65.61 points, falling from last year’s second place. The gradual rise The moment the Phoenixes entered the gymnasium, their eyes—fiercely gleaming with blue make-up—were fixed on the prize. Contrary to last year’s problem of keeping up with the beat, the blue cheerleaders showed confidence and finesse in the dance floor this year, performing perfect ladders and dashing routines which impressed the spectators. These motions were helped by their ability to thrill the crowd with aerials and cartwheels. While their stunts were breathtaking, the performance still left room for improvement. As the exhibitions became more daring, the level of difficulty increased hence requiring thorough practice to perfect. Furthermore, the flyers seemed unsure of their flexibility, as some took

Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

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long seconds to execute bows and arrows and arabesques. Despite several mishaps and unsightly falls, the Phoenixes managed to spread their wings just enough to get them beyond last place, with 67.098 points.

Yowls of the yellows Fierce. Primal. Intense. Everyone was hyped up at the sight of the Eagles, all dressed and dolled up in animalistic fashion. With redemption as their central theme, they gave their all to reclaim the crown that was so suddenly taken away by the Tigers last year. The team started off strong as their bodies radiated positivity when they lifted the crowd’s spirits. Fellow Eagles even chanted with them

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Tricks up their sleeve Putting a surprising twist to their violet, pink, and white uniforms, the Wizards wore their pompoms on their sleeves and on their skirts. They performed a simple routine of extensions and cupies before the male bases tore the pompoms from the female flyers’ hips to use for their motions. This served to warm up the crowd for their performance, as their routine truly started when they clustered in the middle to sassily snap their fingers to a snippet of “Lady Marmalade.” They exploded into a flurry of throws, stunts, and tumbles, quickly changing the pace of their performance to an unstoppable force of nature. With their creative transitions to the next stunt— one of which involved the flyers to do a shoulder straddle to a quick liberty—the Wizards’ vibrant and unconventional performance was a breath of fresh air to all spectators. Though a few falls occurred, the Wizards kept their cool as the crowd roared with every throw. Their synchronized motions were also closely attuned to the ringing of the music, perfectly timing high kicks and handsprings to the sudden pings of their song. In high spirits, they blew kisses and

gave winks to the audience before launching themselves to another great stunt, cheeky in the confidence of their routine. Ending their routine with a beautiful round of snappy motions and a liberty, the Wizards were met by loud applause. With their high spirits and upbeat routine, the Wizards managed to land in second place, working their magic again as they garnered 84.63 points. Philippine frontrunners With their Filipino theme and fun balloon pompoms, the Tigers wowed the crowd within the first nine seconds of their performance, striking an unforgettable pose with three flyers doing liberties at the back. The dance routine was close to perfect, a flawless synergy of pop and folkloric paired with the song Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas. Both dancers and flyers exhibited amazing flexibility, the dancers being able to perform high aerial straddles and the flyers flaunting picture-perfect scorpions, bows and arrows, and arabesques. Despite the occasional wobble, not a single flyer kissed the ground that night. The Tigers may not have completed their three-peat overall championship, but with 89.84 points, they surely are worthy of their back-toback cheerdance championship. *** The dynamism of this year’s cheerdance competition shows how truly unpredictable this challenging sport can be, leaving one to wonder who would emerge on the tip of the pyramid if the other colleges decide to jump into the fray.C

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Design by Keith Obed J. Ruiz

Clash of the maroon warriors Straying from the usual cheer and motions at the start of the routine, the Engineering Cheerwarriors immediately went down to business and animated the audience with glimpses of Swedish falls and kick full baskets. Clad in their maroon-and-white sailor uniforms with yellow ties, the Cheerwarriors’ routine progressed with clean lines and synchronized group stunts that showcased truly how the Warriors belong to one tribe with one goal. Executing nearly flawless group bow-andarrows, scorpions and scales all throughout, they experienced a small hiccup in their battle when one flyer dropped to the ground during a hitch pyramid. Despite the blunder, they regained composure, giving the crowd a sight to behold with their pyramids and group stunts. Halfway through the performance, the Cheerwarriors performed a round of simple motions that slowed them down after a series of action-packed stunts. They neatly finished their performance with dynamic motions and constant action on the floor. Earning 72.53 points, they were able to earn fourth place, maintaining their position from last year.

to show their support and confidence in their cheerleaders. However, just when they were forming a line in to exhibit their flawless bows and arrows, the rightmost flyer mistakenly fell, marking the Eagles’ first mistake. Nevertheless, they were able to recover midperformance, when they presented successive, exhilarating mounts. They were able to execute the difficult stunts, though the overly-primitive dance routine didn’t win the audience over. Some thought of it as a modified version of the Tigers’ performance last year, even more so because they ended with a roar. In the end, the Eagles were able to redeem themselves, soaring from fifth place last year to third this year with 74.28 points.

Sports

Warriors take top spot in karate-do By Rezza Mae B. Tolinero with reports from Robin Maeve Bacarro

ccumulating an impressive score of 67.5 in the men’s categories and 40 points in the women’s categories, the College of Engineering Warriors successfully defended their championship in karate-do on September 14 at the XU Gym. They fought with the ferocity of a warrior on a battlefield as they snatched gold in six categories: individual kata men, team kata of men and women, -55 and -60 kumite men, and team kumite men. The Warriors also took home silver medals in five categories: -53 and -60 kumite women, -70 and open weight kumite men, and team kumite women. For the individual kata men, Warrior Alexandre Mattheus Pacturan bagged gold while Python Ruxil Bagares claimed the top place

AN OPENING. Karate player connects a straight punch.

in the individual kata women’s category. The Warriors secured their dominance over the team events, acquiring gold in team kata men and team kata women. The -53 kumite women hailed Tiger Shaira del Carmen as its champion,

[V. VILLO]

while the -55 kumite Men category was dominated by the unstoppable Warrior Pacturan. In the women’s category, Eagle Joshua Versoza ranked first. Outshining the rest, Warrior Daniel Lim took the lead in -60 kumite men. On the other

hand, Eagle Joan Edulsa soared the highest in -60 kumite women. In the -65 and -70 kumite men, the Eagles topped the rest as Chris Asas and Razen Samson took gold. For the +60 kumite women, Wizard Chara Lee Lacang yelled victorious as she outdid her competitors, Phoenix Faith Vitor and Tiger Maria Karlene Cabaraban, who won silver and bronze respectively. Once again, Law athlete Justin Seriña took his second medal as he earned the gold in open weight kumite men. Phoenix Jengky Vacalares topped the open weight kumite women. The last event of karate-do, team kumite, saw the Warriors overwhelm their opponents in the men’s category. Meanwhile, the Eagles soared as champion in the women’s category.C

Eagles soar over Knights in men’s volleyball

By Sittie Naisha D. Munder

fter a powerful display of unstoppable spikes and blocks, the Eagles soared their way to victory during the men’s volleyball championship match on September 19 at the University Gym. The Eagles dominated the first set by 25-10, setting the tone for the rest of the match. The Eagles continued the tempo, making it harder for the CIT Knights to strike back and ending the second set 25-11. The Knights charged back, overpowering the defense of the Eagles. Knight Christian Paul Sumagang’s spiking and offense earned them a win in the third set 25-23. Meanwhile, Eagle Eliasse Jason Milvar performed non-stop spikes and throws that rendered the Knights impossible to catch in the first half of the fourth set with

FLY. Eagles spike in search of an opening to Knights’ defense.

a score of 16-8. Backed by strategy and skill, the Eagles won and were crowned as champions in the fourth set with a score of 25-12. “For pila na ka years ga-compete mi for championship but still, kay

gaka-fail mi. Karon confident mi because strong amo’ng team,” said School of Business and Management head coach, Jerome Casinillo. Winning the earlier match against the College of Arts and

[N. AQUINO]

Sciences’ Tigers, the College of Agriculture Bulls attained bronze with a score of 2-1.C

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Wizards stupefy Eagles 4-3 in men’s softball

By Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera

upposedly cut off from the championship game, the Wizards confounded the Eagles, 4-3, in men’s softball at Diamond 1 of the XU Soccer Field, September 20. The Knights overpowered the Wizards in the crossover game, 11-0, but fielded an ineligible player, hence, nullifying their bout for the finals. Reportedly, the CIT Knights included a softball player who’s not currently enrolled in the University. Wizard Jofran Lim said, “Ang akong nabal-an, nakadungog daw ang isa ka faculty [member] namo sa audience sa CIT nga naa’y wala nag-skwela nga isa ka player sa ilaha. Mao to, gipa-check dayon nila.” After verifying that a CIT player was not officially registered in the SLMIS, the Wizards filed a protest to the officials. In defense of the Knights, the player was still undergoing in-plant training (IPT) which is equivalent to

the on-the-job training (OJT) in other courses. However, this still violated Intramurals guidelines that only bona fide students are allowed to compete in the games. With the Knights forfeited for the finals, the Wizards battled for championship against the Eagles. Eagle Ayrton Licong released an early game missile which brought him to third base. Another strong swing by Nicolo Abrillo set up a homerun, leading to two points for the Eagles. The Wizards regained ground, taking advantage of walks and bunts, leading to a 2-2 tie in the first inning. Remaining unfazed, Wizard pitcher Feil John Pabuhat released a flurry of fast bolts which led to a strikeout for the SBM early on the second inning. However, a tight defense by the Eagles pressured the Wizards and prompted them to make several costly and consecutive

CHARGED STRIKE. Wizard jolted Warriors in a match. [J. PATANA]

mistakes, maintaining a standstill, 2-2, in the second inning. Despite the determined defense of the Wizards in the third inning, Abrillo managed to snatch a point, taking the lead, 2-3. Pabuhat kissed the bat to the ball, leading to a run by Cristan Jon Idol and breaking the short-lived lead of

the Eagles. A bat by Dexter Angeles paved the way for a run by Jofran Lim, securing the win for the Wizards at 4-3. The Warriors reaped third place, winning by default against the Knights, 7-0.C

Tigers slash Eagles, bag third straight men’s basketball crown

By Lorenzo A. Botavara

he College of Arts and Sciences pulled off a threepeat—in men’s basketball,

at least. Sinking all six pressure-packed free throws in the final minute, the Tigers pulled away from the School of Business and Management (SBM) Eagles, 70-61, to grab the crown for the third straight year last September 20 at the XU Gym. Tension filled the already humid atmosphere as crunch time commenced, but Tiger forward Ivan Sabal kept his composure and mediated his team. The Tigers were unfazed throughout and executed their game plan to near perfection— neither rushing shots nor settling for contested jumpers as they accumulated easy point after easy point. This awarded Sabal and fellow swingman Angelo Galeon the critical

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opportunities at the charity stripe when points were at a premium. On the other hand, an array of misses from point-blank range stalled the Eagles’ usually potent offense. The Tiger defense was quick to get back in transition, forcing numerous misses by making their opponents work hard for every field goal attempt. On the other end of the floor, they opted to slow down the pace and play grind-it-out basketball against their opponents. In addition, their unselfish and flowing offense freed up Galeon for open jumpers and drives to the hoop. The Eagles, however, managed to hold the Tigers to 10 second quarter points and grab a slim 33-32 advantage entering the second half. Tallying a game-high 28 points, Galeon delivered the goods

whenever the Eagles seemed to gain momentum. In the third quarter, he made all three of his attempts from deep to keep up with the Eagles’ hot-shooting forward, Juan Biwang, who made consecutive triples of his own. However, the Eagles’ streaky shooting proved to be their undoing as the defending champions regained a 52-50 edge after the third quarter buzzer, signaling the beginning of the end for SBM. Smelling blood, the Tigers went in for the kill in the fourth period by making smart and quick decisions to avoid the Eagles’ halfcourt trapping and draw contact by fearlessly and consistently driving to the rim. Despite having figured out their opponents’ offense, the Tigers could not ice the game until the final minute because they failed to contain the Eagles’ dominant

frontcourt. Unfortunately, the yellow army also could not capitalize and find a secondary offensive source to make clutch baskets in the waning moments. Biwang’s teamhigh 18 points kept the Eagles afloat throughout the game. Sabal attributed part of the team’s championship to Galeon’s invaluable experience and added that the latter’s performance was exactly what the Tigers needed to seal the victory. Sabal and point guard Bryle Salvaña have also been consistent performers for the College of Arts and Sciences throughout the entire week. The hot-shooting CIT Knights dispatched the CompStud Wizards, 85-71, in the bronze medal match.

Quarter scores: 22-17, 32-33, 52-50, 70-61C

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Sports

Warriors amass medals in taekwondo By Daphne J. Dujali

FIGHT. Taekwondo players exchange powerful combinations.

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owerful kicks and blocks shook the XU Gym as the Engineering Warriors conquered taekwondo on September 14. Among all the weight classes in both men’s and women’s categories, the Warriors brought home nineteen medals—six golds, four silvers and nine bronzes. Notable Warriors who won gold were Kirk Fabria for finweight, Denis Timbal for flyweight, Kyle Lauzon for bantamweight, Markim Jamis for featherweight, Arthur Callao for middleweight and Dan Sorig for heavyweight, who all fought their way to the top with their speed and powerful kicks. Not lagging far behind were the Aggie Bulls who reaped five golds, three silvers and three bronzes. Keannu Galarrita, who competed for welterweight, secured the only victory in the men’s category. For the women’s, Bulls Mariah Egagamac, Kyrlynn Damasco, Joan Sierra and Jessica Ysulan bagged gold for

finweight, featherweight, lightweight, and mid-heavy divisions respectively. The ArtScies Tigers garnered third place as three golds were won by Honey Yamba for flyweight and Michelle Magno for bantamweight both for women, and Ivan Sabal for lightweight men; the two collectively winning four silvers and two bronzes. The Nursing Pythons slithered their way to the top with four bronzes by Joshua Toledo for finweight, John Antinero for flyweight, and RJ Alyedcu and Ryan Tan for bantamweight. Meanwhile, the Eagles clawed two silvers by Tessa Zaballero for flyweight and Adreanne Sescon for featherweight. The Phoenixes went home with two bronzes by Mae Montejo for finweight and Michelle Jaranilla for bantamweight both for women, while the Wolves earned one silver through Yvonne Castillano in the women’s bantamweight division.C

Eagles defend four-peat in women’s lawn tennis

By Ainah Alonto Datu-Ramos

howing no signs of slowing down, the School of Business and Management (SBM) Lady Eagles soared over the rest of the competition and completed their championship bid in the womens’ lawn tennis competition, finishing with a straight win against the College of Arts and Sciences Lady Tigers last September 19 at the Barangay 40 Tennis Court. Eagle Lyra Batao dominated the first singles match against Tiger Anne Borres and concluded the first game with a 8-3 victory. Right after, Hillary Olga Reserva tried to resuscitate the Tigers’ chances at winning the gold during the second singles match. However Eagle Ayn Magracia, despite suffering an episode of

hyperventilation, showed steadfast determination and refused to garner a default loss. She decided to carry on and eventually sealed the game with a score of 8-4, successfully completing the Lady Eagles’ title defense. Time and time again, the Lady Eagles have proven to be indomitable on the tennis court. For four years, their opponents have tried to snatch the gold medal from them yet their efforts have ended up fruitless so far. Batao remarked, “[I feel] proud kay na-represent namo ang SBM og wala mi nag-fail.” According to the Tigers, however, this defeat only fuels their eagerness to win the championship title in lawn tennis come next year’s Intramurals. Asked where

BASELINER. Lady Eagle Ayn Magracia returns a shot agaist Tigress Olga Reserva.

they could have improved, Borres shared that they could have upped their determination in the last game. “For me, nagkamali ako dahil inisip kong matatalo na kami dahil alam kong malakas ang kalaban naming,” she said.

[J. RACAZA]

Meanwhile, the Center for Integrated Technology (CIT) Knights garnered third place after overpowering the College of Engineering Warriors, 8-1.C

Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

Sports

Warriors, Eagles, Knights secure gold in badminton By Andrew Rey L. del Fierro

sserting their indomitable supremacy over the sport, the Engineering Warriors snagged the gold in three categories of the badminton tournament at the XU Covered Courts on September 14 and 16. Their victories were followed closely by the CIT Knights and SBM Eagles claiming first place in men’s and women’s singles, respectively. The Warriors’ conquest was complete when they emerged as champions of the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles categories, outshining their alreadystellar performance in last year’s tournament. In what was perhaps the most explosive match of the entire competition, Warriors Warren

Thomas Treseno and Jose Leonard Cinco ferociously dueled their rivals, the Knights, for the championship. The Knights gained the upper hand in the first set, 21-19, but the tables turned in the second set as the Warriors snapped back, 21-14. With Warrior Treseno and Knight Jimboy Franca furiously trading smashes, the match concluded with a lopsided 21-8 in favor of the College of Engineering. It signaled the end of the Warriors’ arduous battle. Meanwhile, veteran Warrior Chesna Torres and partner Samantha Wooton defended their college’s title against Pythons Carmel Intong and Arra Talian, mirroring the showdown between the two colleges in the previous year. Though not as explosive as their male counterparts,

the intensity of the teams’ battle was just as palpable; the first set won by the Warriors, 21-18. The Pythons fought back, managing to win the second set 21-15 though ultimately conceding to their rivals in the third set, 21-1. Mixed doubles was also claimed by the Warriors, winning two straight sets against their SBM opponents with a score of 21-19 and 21-11. Though the Warriors dominated the doubles events, the other colleges established the singles category as their own territory. Franca of CIT bounced back from his defeat against the Warriors and stormed the courts once again to claim the championship in men’s singles as he faced off against the Eagles, winning 21-14 in the first set

and 21-13 in the second. Not to be outdone, Eagle Faith Abigail Racsa faced off against Python Carmel Intong with her eye on the championship title, managing to emerge victorious after also winning two sets against her opponent with a score of 21-17 and 21-3. The tournament concluded with the Warriors taking home three gold medals and one bronze; the Eagles claiming one gold, two silver and one bronze; the Pythons earning two silver; the Knights taking one gold and one silver; the Tigers winning one bronze, and the Bulls reaping two bronze.C

Wizards wrest sepak takraw gold against Eagles, 2-1 By Ma. Isabela Arcadia C. Agawin

fter five years of defeat, the Wizards edged out the Eagles in a nail-biting match, 1-2, at the XU Covered Court on September 18. The Wizards struggled to keep up during the first set, with the Eagles soaring 14 points ahead, relentlessly attacking the Wizards’ defense. The serves seemed endless as the Wizards failed to answer the plays of SBM Eagle Tekong Hezron Retalla, ending the first set with a lopsided 21-7. Scoring the first few points of the second set, the Eagles picked up where they left off. However, the Wizards traded blows and stepped up their game, resulting in a seesaw of lead scores, 1 by 1 point away, making both teams panting to keep up with the furious pace. The Wizards led the second half of the set 17-18 but the Eagles were able to secure a 20-20 deadlock, forcing a tiebreaker. Wizard Rey

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FIRST BALL. Eagles anticipate the incoming serve from the Wizards [K. LLANO]

Valenz Sagocsoc fired up his team by blocking every Eagle’s scoring attempt, ending the second set 2022. With the crowd growing larger by the minute, cheers filled the covered court as supporters from either college roared with

anxiousness and anticipation. The Eagles launched off to a hot 3-0 start during the third set, but the Wizards kept up with a succession of quick attacks and blocks. Both sides played neck and neck, the lead never exceeding one point, and resulted in another 20-20 tie.

Both teams played cautiously during the last few minutes of the tiebreaker, neither side unable to secure an advantage, and leading to yet another stalemate, 22-22. As the crowd held its collective breath, the Wizards victoriously attacked the last kicks made by their opponent and the roar from the College of Computer Studies confirmed the Wizards’ victory, 2224. “Medyo lang sila gipang-nervous, ilang real skill wala nila napagawas tungod sa [tension],” said Cresen Anayron, coach of the Wizards’ sepak takraw team, on the performance of the players. “For the first time, CompStud [na ang] champion [after] five years.” Meanwhile, in the match fighting for third place, the College of Agriculture won against the College of Engineering, 2-0, after putting the Warriors down for two consecutive sets 14-21 and 19-21.C

www.thecrusaderpublication.com

Sports

Lady Eagles overpower Phoenixes, dominate women’s hoops By Mary Antoinette M. Magallanes

fter a series of whitewash in the past championship games, the SBM Eagles finally conquered the arena and snatched the crown, 37-35, against the SOE Phoenixes during the women’s basketball championship match on September 20 at the XU Gym. The beginning of the game was in favor of the Phoenixes after the Eagles committed an early foul, sending ace shooter Alyzza Macalos to step to the stripe for two. However, the Phoenixes’ early advantage proved incapable of halting the Eagles’ unstoppable ascent, as Kiyara Verdejo’s threepointer allowed the Eagles to retain a one-point advantage. The two teams grappled for the lead for the rest of the quarter, the mythical Phoenixes failing to impede a flurry of baskets and a strong offense from the Eagles. The yellow army’s Verdejo, Nicole Sarausa and Christna Banuag spearheaded the team’s offensive and stretched their lead to 14 points, capping off the first quarter with a score of 18-4. Eagerly catching up on the Eagles’ lead, Phoenix Macalos made a powerful drive straight to

ON OFFENSE. Eagles penetrate Pythons’ defenses.

the basket and scored the first field goal for the Phoenixes during the second quarter. With the game clearly in favor of the Eagles, the Phoenixes stepped up their game with Macalos and Fritzie Babia scoring for their team. The Phoenixes managed to reduce the lead to half, sealing the quarter with a score of 28-14. The Phoenixes started to regain much-needed ground with a stronger man-to-man defense during the start of the second half. Numerous fouls committed by the Eagles also paved way for the Phoenix to sink in free throws during the quarter. With only 34.2 seconds

[V. VILLO]

remaining on the clock, Phoenix Irah Radoc sank a two-point basket, minimizing the distance from the lead by only two points at the end of the third period. The last quarter saw both teams trading baskets in an attempt to gain an advantage over the other. As the Phoenixes caught up with the tally, the Eagles desperately attempted to score but were unable to, allowing the Phoenixes to surge on 33-32 with two minutes on the clock. Undeterred, the Eagles were quick to recoup by scoring three consecutive points in the last minute of the game. With a few seconds left, the entire gym blazed with energy as the

crowd cheered and hooted for their colleges. However, an intense brawl for the ball and a foul committed by the Phoenixes awarded the Eagles two crucial penalty shots. Point leader Sarausa successfully netted two points out of charity stripe, bestowing the hotly-contested crown on the Eagles with a close score of 37-35. The Eagles soared highest this year in women’s basketball after being secluded of the title and falling short at second place for three consecutive years. Breakdown of scores are as follows: School of Business and Management 37: Sarausa 13, Banuag 8, Verdejo 6, Tonido 4, Dael 2, Piator 2, Beja 2, Villo 0, Yañez 0, Magsangcay 0, Casiño 0, Magsalay 0, Cabeguin 0, Gerolaga 0 School of Education 35: Macalos 15, Aling 10, Radoc 4, Babia 4, Cueva 2, Ybañez 0, Tabalbag 0 Quarter Scores: 18-4, 28-14, 30-28, 37-35.C

Tigers pounce on Phoenixes 3-1 in women’s volleyball

By Sittie Naisha D. Munder

n an unexpected turn of events, the Tigers upset the Phoenixes during the women’s volleyball championship match on September 19 at the University Gym. Previously reigning over the Tigers in a thrilling 2-1 match on September 16, the Phoenixes came as the favored contender in the deciding game. However, the Tigers’ roar was to resound despite the higher expectations from their opponent. The Tigers won the first

set 25-17 with their strong defense and impeccable teamwork. In the second set, they still managed to block the opponent’s strong and continuing spikes, taking the lead by a score of 25-18. Red and white stripes continue to dominate the second set, as the Tigers were taking the lead by having blocked the opponents’ strong and continuing spikes, 25-18. The atmosphere of the third set intensified with abrupt and

continuous attacks from the Phoenixes. A powerful performance of heavy spikes and unpredictable spikes courtesy of SOE’s Alyzza Drawde Mae Macalos won the set for the Phoenixes, 25-21. The fourth set got the crowd cheering and shouting their battle cry as the match reached its end, both teams gearing up for the final haul. The Tigers continued to show their teamwork, taking an early 16-

14 lead. Refusing to back down, the Phoenixes managed to catch up, tying the set at 25. Both teams displayed consistent teamwork and determination. Their struggle culminated with the Tigers triumphing over Phoenix 26-25 and claiming the championship of the women’s volleyball. Meawhile, the Eagles clinched bronze after beating the Aggie Bulls 2-1.C

Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

Sports

Warriors clip Eagles, clasp Ultimate title By Rezza Mae B. Tolinero

f last year’s showdown was between the Aggie Bulls and the CIT Knights while the other year’s between the SOE Phoenixes and ArtScies Tigers, the 2014 Ultimate Frisbee battle heralded the rise of new faces—the Warriors and the Eagles. The Warriors triumphed over the Eagles, 10-5, snatching the Ultimate’s championship title at the XU Soccer Field on September 20. The first minutes of the game were in favor of the Eagles, 3-0, but the Warriors showed that a fiery performance starts off as a spark which cannot be doused once ignited. The Warriors seized three streaks of points, leveling the score, 3-3. After the mirror, the Warriors never relinquished the lead and upped

the score to 8-5 in their favor. All the way through the soft cap, the score became 9-5. Determined to block any of the Eagles’ advances, John Christian Leyson of the Warriors nabbed the disc which declared them champion, 10-5. Francis Neil “Champee” D. Hoy, captain of the College of Engineering’s Ultimate Frisbee team, revealed that their victory is a product of their early training and preparation for the game. “Wala gyu’y murag mustar player sa amo-a. Kami gyud tanan. We are one, inside and outside the field gatinabanga mi. Wala’y siya-siya ra nga galihok. Kami tanan galihok,” he said on the Warriors’ teamwork. Hoy shared three primary factors which propelled the Warriors

SEIZE BY KNIGHTS. Ultimate players nab the disc for victory.

to emerge as champion: training hard, trusting one’s teammates, and disciplining oneself. Simultaneous to the championship match, thrill and intensity engulfed the other side of the field as the CIT

[K. LLANO]

Knights and CompStud Wizards contended for bronze. In a neck and neck battle, the Knights, who were last year’s Ultimate Frisbee champion, defeated the Wizards and claimed the third spot, 11-9.C

Eagles remain women’s softball champs, complete five-peat By Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe A. Lozarita

espite facing new rivals this year, the Eagles showed no mercy as they routed the Tigers, 10-4, on September 20 at the XU Soccer Field. For the fifth year, they have proved themselves worthy of reigning as the champion of the women’s softball competition.The first inning began with the Eagles batting first; Eagle Janica Bianca Talisayan immediately hit the ball on her first swing, leading her directly to first base. As if making up for the faulty lapse in their defense, the Tigers showed amazing skill in catching their rivals’ hits, ousting the next two batters. However, the Eagles regained their momentum when Karen Mae Simene stepped up to bat, hitting the ball out of the field and instantly sending three homeruns. Their hot streak ended when Tiger Cherry Mae Ricablanca caught the fly ball of Eagle Therese Mae Ubas. Come bottom of the inning, the Tigers were able to pull only one homerun, ending the first inning 3-1. While the game reached a lull in the second inning, the game sped Crusader

The

STRIKE. Tigress aims for a home run from the Lady Eagle’s powerful pitch.

up in the last inning when the Eagles were able to fill all three bases. With Simene’s grand slam, four homeruns were scored, immediately raising the scores to a staggering 9-point deficit, 10-1 in favor of the Eagles. The Tigers managed to work out three homeruns during their turn to bat, minimizing the difference to only

six points. Their triumph, however, didn’t last for long as a double play was called for Tigers Zaira Simon and Ren Magallon. The catching of the sixth batter’s ball concluded the gripping championship game. John Ariel Simene, coach of the Eagles’ softball team, said rigorous training kept them at the top of the game. “Kani karon

[V. VILLO]

[nga mga members] mga bag-o man pero training lang jud then discipline. Dayon teamwork [kay] one SBM, one spirit.” The Warriors, who bagged silver last year, took the bronze medals home this year, nipping the Phoenixes 10-3.C

www.thecrusaderpublication.com

By Louren B. Aranas

ho knows? The cover of The Crusader’s sports magazine might be a darker shade of red.” This conclusion of the Intramurals primer for the College of Engineering seemed to be a foreshadowing of the Warriors’ supremacy, as they finally claim the throne they’ve been eyeing for two years since their shortlived victory was seized by the Tigers, who subdued them last year by a measly 44 points, 573-539. The Warriors’ efforts did pay off this year as they obliterated their toughest rivals, the Tigers and Eagles, who earned 622.5 points and 640 points respectively. Having emerged as champion in several events—taekwondo men, karate men and women, swimming women, chess women, badminton doubles, lawn tennis men, and ultimate Frisbee — gave rise to the tribe’s staggering 710 points.

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Definite goal For Jeun, this year’s Intramurals proved to be different for the Warriors because of the overflowing support from the college. “The PTA [parents-teachers association] was very generous and [they] helped the sports committee ‘spoil’ our athletes,” Jeun stated. Although they experienced the usual challenges of funding and finding venues for practices, in the end, they overcame these and the efforts to do so were worth it. While fixing their eyes on the much coveted championship sets a sense of direction, Jeun says the athletes never forgot to genuinely enjoy the games. “Last year we were always thinking about winning and taking back our title that we forgot to enjoy,” she says on the Warriors being bent on grabbing the title from the Tigers. “I think this year, we had fun and played our best. Winning [the] overall [champion] was just an incentive … For the first time in my college life, I can truly say we crossed the boundaries of rivalry and true sportsmanship was achieved.” Beyond the field and court However, after the Intramurals fever died down, the Warriors faced another challenge as their slogan, “One tribe, one goal. Our time is now” was deemed offensive by some people. Alexar Lindon Aguilar, a fourth year mechanical engineering student, says that they were told that raising such banner during the Intramurals program was a major offense

as “it may be concluded as a misconduct if there’s a gross or deliberate [act] to offend the XU community.” Aguilar explains that the slogan is grounded on the purpose of increasing the hype among the Engineering community and motivating the Warriors that their “time to be champions is now.” Jeun comments, “We had this slogan since 2011. As far as I can remember, this is the first time someone had an issue with it. ACES already consulted with our moderator, the Department of Student Affairs and SACDEV (Student Activities and Leadership Development) Office.” As of press time, the case is dismissed. In the first place, no formal complaint was filed; the issue seemed to have been blown out of proportion because of the influx of social media posts which expressed people’s reactions and gave rise to discourse on the slogan and its implications. After holding a dialogue with some members of the administration, the Warriors found it most fitting to apologize to those who took offense. “As the sports committee head, I apologize to those who got offended and did not see what we intended to say,” she states. “I would also like to be clear that we meant every word of our slogan, which is not [to be taken in its] abbreviated form.” Looking at the situation in hindsight, Aguilar says, “If you believe that what you do is right without any wrong intention, you have to defend it.” *** The Warriors’ eagerness to emerge as champion, coupled with rigid training, overwhelming support from the rest of the “tribe” and internalization of the true meaning of sportsmanship and teamwork, catapulted them to the top of the totem pole. Indeed, the time for the Warriors to overshadow its opponents is now.C

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Design by Francis Ryan O. Avellana and Jericho B. Montellano

United tribe Ercille Pacamo, President of the Association of the College of Engineering Students (ACES), attributes their victory to the outpour of support from non-athletes and thorough preparation from the sports committee. “With the alumni nga willing mu-coach sa mga players. Kami as council supportive pud sa mga players,” she says. Meanwhile, Kesha Jeun, sports committee head of ACES, recalls that they started preparing as early as summer by contacting former players and team captains. Try-outs were also held earlier than the usual schedule. Pacamo shares that the said committee did more than what was expected of them. “They grabbed every opportunity that they can [to] fund the activity para dili pud ma-bitin. When we say nga support sa players, todo-todo gyud nga they have food and water [and] their jerseys are on time.” As much as budget played a vital role in

realizing their goal, the Warriors’ support to their fellows wasn’t limited to tangible resources. Pacamo adds, “In terms pud sa volunteers or staff, tungod pud sa gina-impose sa sports committee na discipline, 5:30 a.m. naa na ang sports committee and volunteers sa school [para] pakita gyud sa suporta sa athletes.”

Sports

Phoenix, Tigers dominate in athletics By Ainah Fatima A. Datu-Ramos with reports from Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera

espite the unfamiliar and slippery field, the sprinters were still determined to outrun each other at the XU Soccer Field last September 20. The event could not be held at its usual venue, the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Complex, due to unfavourable track conditions. Aweing the crowd with their almost unimaginable swiftness, the College of Arts and Sciences Tigers and the School of Education Phoenix garnered the most gold medals with three each in the athletics event. In men’s athletics, Center for Integrated Technology (CIT) Knight Jimboy Franca accelerated first in the 100-meter dash within an impressive record of 11.91 seconds. Aggie Bull Andrei Ardo placed second, lagging only one second behind Franca. Meanwhile, ArtScies Tiger Jai Sendaydiego claimed third place, trailing behind Ardo by a mere 0.2 nanoseconds.

Tiger Yuhei Go conquered the 200-meter dash, finishing at 18.20 seconds, while CIT Knight Regyne Braga came in second within 19.38 seconds. The Eagles clawed towards another bronze medal as Danny Chua finished third. The Aggie Bulls proved indomitable as Anthony del Rosario nabbed first place in the 400-meter dash; after two seconds, Knight Shaur Yato succumbed to second place. Go proved how dauntless the Tigers are as he brought home the gold in the 4x100 relay. Ardo of the College of Agriculture seized the silver medal while CIT Knight Franca finished third. Meanwhile, the Phoenix dominated the women’s athletics event as they reaped gold in three events. In the 100-meter dash, Shaina Cemacio rocketed to first place within 11.32 seconds. Aggie Bull Anna Empeynado garnered the second spot while Tiger Marianne Bonjal secured the third place.

FOOTSPEED. Runners dash their way to victory.

The Tigers were able to recover in the 200-meter dash as Alexa Ebarle completed the race within 22.0 seconds. In less than a second, Eagle Mel Masangcay earned the second spot within 22.72 seconds. Phoenix Rose Jane Paderanga triumphed in the 400-meter dash as she seized the gold within 45.67 seconds. The Eagles maintained their second spot as Marie Yanez dashed through the finish line at 49.62

[J. RACAZA]

seconds, while Warrior Jaley Quinoja landed third at 51.14 seconds. The 4x100 relay saw the Phoenix flex their prowess and speed as Cemacio pierced through the wind at 41.98 seconds. Ebarle earned the Tigers another silver medal within 42.93 seconds, while Yanez made the yellow army cheer louder as she finished third within 43.29 seconds.C

Warriors, Tigers crowned champions in chess By Andrew Rey L. del Fierro

laiming the throne from last year’s champions, the Tigers and the Warriors were crowned the new kings and queens respectively of the chess tournament on September 14 and 16 at the Magis Student Complex.

The Tigers’ performance in the early matches of the men’s chess tournament was less than ideal, ending with a team score of zero in the first two rounds. With their concentration and determination sharpened by their initial setback,

BATTLE OF THE MINDS. Athletes ponder on their strategy to annihilate their opponent.

[G. LABIS]

the Tigers began to gain momentum in the third round and maintained a relatively consistent team score of two points in the next eight rounds. The Tigers’ performance culminated in a cumulative score of 13 points, one point above Law’s and Engineering’s 12 points. The tie was broken when Law earned 23 points in the accumulated score, beating the Warriors' 22.5 points. Faring better than their male counterparts, the lady Warriors impressed all contenders by maintaining a team score of at least one point through all the rounds, pulling ahead of the competition with a total of 16 points. The Phoenixes, also vying to be crowned queens of the tournament, fell short by only one point with a total of 15 points. The Eagles followed closely with a cumulative score of 12 points.

Individual boards saw the appearance of both old and new royalty, some returning to preside over their domain whilst others took the crown for themselves. In the men’s category, veteran Warrior Paul Omongos returned to claim board one gold after having earned it in the 2011 Intramurals. Bull Lynyrd Corrales and Eagle Jake Tutor claimed board two and three gold as their respective domains, with Phoenix Ryan Salalima reigning over board four gold. In the women’s category, Phoenix Jessa Sumilla established her control over board one gold while fellow queen Warriors Trisha Besas and Frances Gante dominated board two and three gold respectively, with Shivaun Tigulo of Law controlling board four.C

Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

Sports

Women Warriors garner gold in swimming By Romualdo Manuel C. Bacungan III

n September 14, the women Warriors swam their way to victory as they amassed gold in ten swimming events. The 50m backstroke event kicked off the competition wherein Warrior Nena Torres placed first in 37.6 seconds. For the men, Eagle Miguel Balandra claimed victory in 36.72 seconds. Torres of the College of Engineering showed no signs of stopping as she placed first in the 100m butterfly event with 1.28 minutes. Tiger Martin Torres outshone the men with a time of 1.11 minutes. The women Warriors continued to excel in the team events, as they won in the 4x50m freestyle event with a time of 2.31.72 minutes. Meanwhile, the men of the Aggie Bulls bagged gold as they finished the race in 2.21.40 minutes.

BREATHE. Swimmer glides through the waters of the Pelaez Sports Complex swimming pool with her butterfly strokes. [J. RACAZA]

For the 50m breastroke event, Warrior Micah Salilig grabbed another gold for the college as she won, in 41.91 seconds, in the women’s category. Eagle Aegeis Neri triumphed in the men’s category in 42.59 seconds. Within 1.19.70 minutes, Warrior Torres finished first in the 100m freestyle event. Meanwhile, Tiger Jemecho Torayno claimed

the top spot within 1.16.09 minutes. The 100m backstroke event allowed the unbeatable Warriors to gain another gold as Salilig completed the race in 1.32.66 minutes. For the men’s category, Balandra won first within 1.31.88 minutes. Warrior Eena de Mesa nabbed gold in the 50m butterfly event,

40.97 seconds, and in the 50m freestyle event, 34.97 seconds. The Warriors continued to conquer the waters as Salilig claimed first place in the 100m breastroke event, 1.33.95 minutes. For the men’s category, Torres of the Tigers dominated the 50m freestyle event, 27.47 seconds, and the 50m butterfly event, 30.57 seconds. Meanwhile, Neri of the Eagles finished first in the 100m breaststroke event in 1.39.47 minutes. The 4x50 medley capped off the swimming competition, wherein the unconquerable Warriors grabbed gold, 2.57.84 minutes, for the women’s category. Meanwhile, the Tigers earned another victory for the men’s category as they won the gold within 2.39.88 minutes.C

Bulls cripple Tigers, retain football title By Melrein John Viado

he XU Soccer Field radiated shades of red and green as the coveted men’s football title was fought between the Tigers and the Bulls on September 20. This year, after having grounded the SBM rivals early in the semifinals, the Bulls’ supremacy was disputed by a new opponent—the dauntless Tigers. Nevertheless, the highly regarded Bulls emerged victorious, 4-3, clinching the championship for yet another year. Upon the referee’s whistle, both teams went straight to business, unleashing the full extent of their abilities on the soccer field. The Tigers took the offensive and sustained an aggressive approach as they scored a goal, leaving the Bulls empty-handed by the end of the first half. Bent on

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obtaining the gold, Tiger Peter Kim earned a goal in the middle of the half despite the Bulls’ tight defense. The Tigers’ defensive prowess was put to test as the Bulls doubled their efforts in securing a goal, desperate to bring the game to a tie before time ran out.Two minutes away from the game’s conclusion, the Bulls captain John Ritz Arbon was awarded a free kick because of their opponent’s foul. Arbon scored the goal, intensifying the game, 1-1, as the game neared to a close. Due to a penalty shootout, the game was extended and the hype increased as the teams fought neck and neck for the top spot. Out of five chances, the Aggie Bulls managed to secure three; the ArtScies Tigers, on the other hand scored only two as the

DRIVE. Tiger slices through Bull’s defenses.

last goal attempt was denied by the Bulls’ goalkeeper Augusto Moreno Daba. The game ended with the College of Agriculture victoriously becoming back-to-back champions

[D. YECYEC]

of the Intramurals’ men’s football competition. The SBM Eagles and Engineering Warriors earned third and fourth place respectively.C

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Sports

Bulls, Phoenixes claim victory in dance sport competition

By Daphne J. Dujali

On September 19, the XU Covered Courts became a hotbed of excitement and cheers as the dance sport competitors graced the dance floor with flashy dresses and graceful moves. The crowd was in awe as the participants danced their way through the night. The dance sport competition, which is divided into the Latin and Modern Standard categories, showcased pure talent and determination as the competitors tried to dazzle the spectators with smooth and well-prepared moves. The Latin category Rudner Fabiana and Jessa Mae Sucaldito from the School of Education danced their way to victory on the night of the competition, managing to win the judges’ votes with their elegant and energetic

exhibition of rumba, cha-cha and jive and beating out the five remaining pairs of dancers. The audience was absolutely riveted when the pair exhibited twirl after elegant twirl, their enthralling synchronicity and grace. Christine Rose Naliza and Niko Tapales, who represented the Eagles, landed in second place while Bulls Thresha Cornilla and Van Damme Artadi snagged the third spot. The modern standard The seven pairs of dancers, with their flowing gowns and formal suits, blazed the dance floor with determination in hopes of winning the audience over with breathtaking motions.The participants’ graceful execution of slow waltz, tango and fox trot routines set the mood for an interesting competition.

The Aggie Bulls cried out in triumph as their representative pair, Alexis Wabe and Mark Anthony Labriaga, was declared champion of the Modern Standard category. The Pythons’ and Warriors’ resounding cheer echoed around the covered courts as their representatives, April Cubil and Marvin John Labiano, were awarded second place and Warriors Nicole Vuelban and Ulyses Cruda were awarded third place. The excitement that the dance sport competition radiated was almost tangible as both the participants and audience drew a collective breath of air and took a break from the tension and pressure of Intramurals. The dance sport was an opportunity for the XU community to sit back, relax and enjoy—a small reward for the hectic nature brought by the onset of the Intramurals.C

Eagles emerge victorious in women’s football after 7-year drought By Marina M. Garcia

he Eagles beat the Warriors, 4-3, through a penalty shootout in the thrilling final match of women’s football at the XU Soccer Field on September 20. At the end of the first half, the Eagles were already ahead in the scoreboard. Determined not to be beaten into submission, the Warriors decided to change their strategy in the second part, finally scoring their first goal. Reaching the end of the second half with the score tied at 1-1, the match had a 10-minute overtime where none of the teams scored another goal, leading to the penalty stage. The tension was palpable as the players of both teams scored the decisive shootouts. The final kick by Hannah Bagsoling eventually gained the Eagles’ hard-earned victory, sneaking a goal past the keeper and bringing home the championship title to SBM. In that championship match, the Eagles broke 18

RUNNING STRIKE. Bulls try to overtake Eagles.

their roughly 7 years of drought in women’s football. The goalkeeper of the winning team, Xyra Bugahod, stated that they did not set their expectations too high for the championship game. However, the Eagles’ women football team “had

[R. MAGALLONA]

that winning mentality every game: the thought of never giving up until the last whistle of the referee is blown was instilled in us, even if we are [sic] ahead or left behind.”C

Wolves, Eagles become champions in table tennis

By Louren B. Aranas and Romualdo Manuel C. Bacungan III

WINNING HIT. Wolves give strong paddles. [R. MAGALLONA]

he SBM Eagles and Medicine Wolves attained the gold in the men and women categories of table tennis respectively, as they battled for championship on September 19 at the University Covered Courts. In the women’s singles event, the indestructible Marra Elysse Rico catapulted the Wolves to championship after defeating Wizard Emelie Nagales. Meanwhile, Warrior Mary Grace Madelo won as second runner-up. The women of the School of Medicines continued to intensify the game in the doubles event as they prevailed over the Wizards. Having the same fate in the singles event, the Warriors brought home the bronze. In the women’s team event, the Wolves showed no signs of losing the championship title as they triumphed against the Warriors. Tigers landed in third place. The Eagles continued to soar high in the men’s team event and doubles events as they claimed championship. For the men’s category, Sean Llenos advanced the Eagles toward championship as he outshone his opponents in the singles event. The yellow army slightly fell from the top spot in the mixed doubles event as the CompStud Wizards grabbed first place. However, the Eagles still defeated the Engineering Warriors who landed third.C Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

Feature

By Lorenzo A. Botavara and Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera

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Blue-branded basketball Martinez considers the players’ youthful energy a huge factor in properly executing his offensive, fast-paced style of play. He also highlighted the importance of incorporating the individual ability of each player to enhance their team play. “If feel nimo kaya nimo, charge, go. Ang importante nag-diskarte ka para sa team, wala ka nag-diskarte para sa imong kaugalingon,” he states, referring to the mentality he instills among his boys. The bread-and-butter play for the team on offense is the double high – the power forward and center come out to the elbows of the freethrow line while the wing players attempt to cut towards the basket. “We have to pressure to win,” says Martinez. On the defensive end, XU applies full-court and half-court pressure on the opponent’s guards. This pushes the opponents to make rushed passes

and leaving their offense in disarray. In a nutshell, the Crusaders’ defense fuels their offensive game. Call for support XU hosts an immense pool of athletic talent and basketball is no exception. Consequently, the University continues to provide basic necessities such as uniforms, equipment, facilities and scholarships for the players. Despite the efforts, Martinez expresses concern over the lack of community crowd support. “Suporta sa opisina, suporta sa ginikanan, suporta sa friends, naa gyud siya pero lahi ra gyud ang suporta sa community nga among mabati.” One would expect Ateneans flocking the XU Gym whenever the Crusaders play at home; sadly, this isn’t the case. Despite having their seal painted in the middle of the court, the XU Gym quickly becomes enemy territory when supporters of the opposing team fill the seats, making every game feel like an away game. *** Our actions raise an interesting question: how can we flock the University Intramurals in full support of our respective colleges, while disregarding the efforts of our athletes who represent the university? Underappreciated as they are, it’s never too late to visit a basketball match and support the Crusaders, marching ever onwards to etch the University’s name in the field of athleticism.C

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Champ and challenges Throughout the years, the Crusaders have established their names in the local basketball scene. Their 2010 crusade has been one of the most successful stints in recent memory, winning five tournaments and defeating Ateneo de Manila University the same year. Although not as dominant before, the Crusaders have maintained their reputation as one of the top-tier squads in the Cagayan de Oro Schools Athletic Association (COSAA) with five top-three finishes in ten COSAA seasons—two of which were championship campaigns. Additionally, the team remains undefeated in invitational games within the city.

One of the challenges the team faces is their players being relatively younger compared to the jocks of other COSAA-participating schools. Martinez explains that this challenge comes with the requirement of the players to maintain nonfailing marks in their academics for them to play. This rule was implemented after an evaluation of the Athletics Office in 2010. As a result, XU’s players graduate at around 21 while other teams tend to have more experienced and physically stronger rosters due to the greater tolerance on their players’ academic performance.

Photo by Mark D. Rodriguez

amed after the Jesuits who crusaded for Roman Catholicism in Mindanao, the XU Crusaders have witnessed and participated in the development of sports and athletics in CdeO as Xavier’s varsity. Basketball, which gained more popularity in the 70’s, was one of the first sports established by XU. “Isa gyud ang Xavier [University] sa nag-educate og basketball. Since 11 years old pako, pag muingon ka og basketball, Xavier [University] gyud na,” says head coach Arvin Martinez, who played hoops for Pilgrim Christian College. As the XU Crusaders continue to rise into prominence in the sports scene, it pays to have a closer look at the basketball varsity’s accomplishments and challenges—one of which is the lack of community support.

By Ainah Fatima A. Datu-Ramos and Romualdo Manuel C. Bacungan III

Photo by Deanne Antoniette B. Yecyec

Design by Francis Ryan O. Avellana and Keith Obed J. Ruiz

ince nag-skwela ko diri sa Xavier [in the year] 1984, naa na siya’y varsity team,” recalls Lance Francisco, coach of the University’s football varsity. Having been around for more than 30 years, the team that officially represents XU in football competitions has undergone several changes, one of which is the welcome addition of the women’s team in the early 2000’s. Headhunting and conditioning Recruitment is a standard procedure for any varsity because it ensures the team’s survival and continuation. According to Francisco, scouting for potential varsity members starts with the youngsters. “As a coach, ga-scout ko sa high school level pa lang. Ga-scout na ko daan kung kinsa ang capable na pwede nako ipa-join sa varsity.” To join the team, one must possess characteristics deemed essential by the entire team, namely: enthusiasm, skill, talent, and discipline. “Makita ra man ni sa try-outs and practices,” says varsity striker Keevin Hero. Discipline and enthusiasm are indeed required since the team trains on weekdays, from 6 am until 8 am—enough proof that laziness is a big no-no for its members. Recently, however, recruitment has come to a standstill as the team can no longer accept freshmen students as varsity members. This change has greatly affected their total number of players because they cannot immediately replace graduating members nor those who left the team to represent their colleges in the Intramurals. “Sa una man gud, 22 mi ka varsity [members]. Karon kay 16 na lang tungod kay gi-freeze mi. Ang pasabot ana’ng freeze is, dili

mi pwede mag-recruit ug bag-o nga players tungod lagi adtong budget cut-off para maka-sustain ang University Athletics Office (UAO) when the time comes nga wala na’y first year students due to the K-12 program,” explains Hero. Albeit the UAO is limiting the number of students joining the varsity, the team continues to work with what they have and to outdo themselves in every match. Hero observes that this year’s team is better than the previous years’ who were unable to participate in the Cagayan de Oro Schools Athletic Association (COSAA) games during their tenure. A non-triumphant Crusade The current varsity has already competed in two tournaments, one of which is the recent COSAA games wherein they emerged as overall champions during the final match against Capitol University (CU) on September 21. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to kick their way to the top during the Fiesta Cup last August. Currently, they are preparing for another tournament which will be held in Camiguin during the upcoming semester break. Despite the noticeable improvements, the football team shares that they don’t feel the moral support of fellow Ateneans. They note that students prefer to scream their lungs out for the athletes who represent their colleges, yet the same enthusiasm is suddenly unavailable to the athletes who carry the name of the University. The team has observed that, unlike XU, students from other schools constantly show their support and are always present to root for their team. Hero opines

that the sense of being a university is lost in the divisions between schools and colleges. “Ang gusto nako ipadugang is kadto’ng support and recognition sa mga Ateneans. Weak man gud ang atong university spirit,” he says. Going for the goal “As a team, amo’ng goal is to win every game because we represent Xavier [University],” states Hero. The members train not merely for personal gain but also to bring honor to the alma mater. With this goal in mind, the student athletes apply their core values—teamwork, commitment, and hard work—in every game and training session. After training, the devoted athletes shift their focus to their studies, being just as mindful of their academic performance as they are with their athletics. Francisco also hopes that XU’s football varsity will be competing not only in city-wide competitions but also in regional and national levels. Despite challenges such as the early training sessions, the lack of members, and the scarcity of the school’s moral support, the University’s varsity football players still have the strength to go for the gold because of their sources of inspiration. From ever-supportive family members to understanding significant others, these Crusaders continue to dive into the fray and do their best in every game. Hero shares, “Amo’ng mga family nga ga-support who give us pamilite, food, ug ga-cheer pud sa amo… Even teammates namo, ga-inspire sa amo para mu-win. Kana, ga-inspire sa amo.”C

Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

By Marina M. Garcia and Mary Antoinette M. Magallanes

or several, XU’s volleyball varsity has been exemplifying excellence in the sport, bringing home a score of victories for the University. Much has happened and improved since the team was founded, though the team has seen little of the limelight despite their undeniable competence in the court.

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A shortfall of support Despite the achievements of the two teams, lack of moral support from their fellow Ateneans has long affected the journey of their sports crusade. “Ang Xavier [University] lacking kaayo og support. Like kato’ng finals game namo against SPC [Southern Philippine College], mas daghan pa tao ga-support sa ila kaysa amoa, even though kami unta ang naa sa home court. Pildi mi sa crowd adto,” says Virtudez. Taping, from the women’s team, shares, “Ang pikas team kay mura’g isa na ka-baryohan unya kami [Crusaders] grabe ka-mingaw.” Having identified the gaps, they look forward to more effective information dissemination to the students regarding the schedules and venues of their competitions. *** Despite the challenges they face, their passion for the sport drives them to pursue the path that they’ve chosen. Encouragement from their families, friends, the UAO staff and the XU volleyball alumni have also kept the team going with their crusade to bring the glory and pride of the University.C

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Students first, athletes second Being part of the volleyball varsity comes with the privilege of being a scholar. Athletic scholarships offered by the University vary depending on the student’s need or performance. Dalde explains that a student must choose between athletic and academic scholarship. It also depends greatly on one’s skills. Some full

Ready to train, ready to win Despite consisting mostly of freshmen, the men’s team did not see its members’ age as a hindrance to reach the finals in the Cagayan de Oro Schools Athletic Association (COSAA) games. Brought by their prowess in the court, the women’s team also reaped a handful of recognitions: being the three-peat COSAA champion, and earning silver in the Philippine Volleyball Development League and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines. Both teams share the indomitable fighting spirit and determination, as they never surrender and they outdo themselves in every performance. According to JC Virtudez, one of the two senior members of the men’s team, “Dili [mi] basta-basta ma feel down in games dapat, kay mao man jud na ang kontra sa athletes.” The men’s volleyball team opines that schooling and genuine love for the sport motivates them to

excel in this field. “Through the varsity, maka-skwela mi og libre,” says Dalde. He also considers playing volleyball as a form of expression and their own way of achieving discipline as dedicated students. Triumphant in victory, the team is also humble and wise enough to remain graceful in defeat. After losing a match, the team discusses the mistakes made during the game and how they plan on fortifying their weaknesses. Nevertheless, they usually end up growing ever stronger even in failure through eating together, bonding, and laughing their hearts out.

Photo by Kimberley Mae V, Llano

Selection, signing, and training Joining the Crusaders volleyball team can be done through the try-outs, the recruitment period during summer, or through valid recommendations. According to Jake Dalde, captain of the men’s team, basic requirements include possessing simple working knowledge of volleyball and a passion for the game; the latter is especially important as the team focuses on honing their skills through continuous practice. The team meets at 5 a.m. six days a week at the XU Gym to improve their gameplay. They regularly train even in summer, wherein their practices usually last for four to five hours a day. Their training consists of a series of activities like ball drills, plays, and following game plans which intensify as a competition draws near. Team members are exempted from training only when they have to take major exams.

scholars, for instance, are fortunate enough to have the miscellaneous fees covered. As opposed to applications, getting into the varsity through recruitment gives greater advantages to a scholar. Knowing the importance of a good academic standing, the team requires its members to maintain non-failing marks that reach a specific Quality Point Index (QPI). Although balancing the demands of a student and an athlete is challenging, the team believes that efficient time management is key to excel as an athlete while learning in school. Amy Rose Taping, a junior member of the women’s volleyball team, says, “Kapoy siya [and] naa pa ju’y mga activities sa school nga dili ka kauban kay naa’y games. Time management lang gyud and siguro naanad na pud mi.”

The Crusader profiles 26 athletes whose stellar moves and exceptional strategies stood out in the 2014 Intramurals.

Soc Anthony del Rosario Jr. Since elementary school, Soc has always been a persistent runner. Swift and strong-minded, this Food Technology sophomore gives great importance to discipline and deliberate practice. He considers his presence of mind as an advantage against other athletes since he never lets his emotions override his game plan during the game. “I never use my heart to play the game because this event, athletics, is not by heart. It’s always in the mind.” Motivated to compete for himself and his family, Soc draws his strength from his faith in God.

For Micah Salilig, swimming has been a part of her life since she was in Grade 1. Receiving her formal training in Grade 3, she has then developed her passion for swimming. In high school and in college, she has joined various and tournaments around the country, both in the regional and national level. But as busy as her swimming career is, she makes sure to prioritize her studies first and to balance these priorities.

Eliasse Jason Milvar

Christna Banuag

Eliasse Jason, a sophomore business management student, stood out in every volleyball game with his powerful spikes which made the crowd cheer louder for the Eagles. In high school, his skills in the said sport were honed as he participated in the Palarong Pambansa. Although he has been playing volleyball for seven years, it was his first time to bring his prowess in sports at the University Intramurals. He laid low last year, but the encouragement from his coach helped motivate him to join the Eagles’ lineup.

Following the footsteps of her parents in the sports scene, Christna Banuag, a senior business administration student, has been playing basketball since her elementary days. Despite having undergone a knee operation due to a sports-inflicted injury, her genuine passion for basketball led her to continue playing the sport in college. She also engages in karate-do, volleyball and badminton. Her greatest aspiration as an athlete—to be part of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines—fuels her drive to excel in basketball.

Samantha Maxine S. Wooton

Marra Elysse Rico

The Lady Warrior has been playing badminton since Grade 5 has competed in district meets and won in women’s singles, though she stopped briefly during high school. She returned to the courts slightly nervous from the pressure of Intramurals, gradually easing into the flow of the game and displaying her prowess as a formidable player. “When you have a dream, you have to fight for it,” she affirms, urging everyone to take charge of their life and fight for their dreams ─ the mark of a true warrior.

John Ritz Arbon Playing football since the second grade, the Bullriders captainball is this year’s football men standout. Scoring the winning goal in the final game against the College of Arts and Sciences, Arbon played a huge role in helping the College of Agricultute grab the top spot for yet another year. John Ritz’s attitude toward his sport is influenced by FC Barcelona’s Forward/Winger Neymar. 22

Micah Salilig

Marra Elysse Rico, a second year medicine student, started playing table tennis in grade five. She originally focused on taekwondo but her interest shifted to table tennis, as hugely influenced by her best friend. Since then, her enthusiasm for table tennis grew. True enough, she catapulted the Wolves into championship despite the team’s insufficient practice. C

Martin Torres Martin Torres, says swimming is not just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. Starting his formal training at Grade 3, Torres has been swimming for 11 years.He has joined various competitions, including a triathlon. As a student athlete, swimming has taught him how to properly balance studies and sports. Through the sport, he also learned how to be more disciplined and more responsible in handling his time. Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

Jessa Sumilla Jessa started playing chess in grade 4 and began her efforts to truly master the sport during high school, winning silver during her performance in the Milolympics. A true team player, she always keeps her college’s interests in mind. “Okay man amo’ng fighting spirit,” she states. “But this year grabe since halosa sa player namo [kay] graduating na so ga-aim mi na before mi mu-graduate, dapat naa mi ma-hatag or ma-contribute sa among colleges.”

Karen Mae’s love for softball is as strong as her throws and swings. Having been inspired by her father, who also happens to be the current softball coach of the SBM Eagles, she decided to master the sport way back in 2008. As physically demanding sports are conventionally associated with men, Karen is in for the thrill and sense of empowerment stirred by being in the field. “Dili ka mag-expect nga ang isa ka babae nga girly kaayo outside sa field, mahimo siya’ng manly sulod sa field,” she shares.

Jofran Reuben Lim

Joana Paula Dalapag

Jofran revels in every softball match as it challenges not only one’s physical abilities but also one’s concentration. Having played softball since high school, this dauntless athlete also considers determination a critical factor in every game. During his four years in the Wizards’ softball team and as the 3rd baseman, Jofran has developed mindfulness and adaptability. He believes correct practice makes perfect. “Dapat mag sige ka’g practice until gamay na lang imong sayop,” he advises.

Joana’s interest in volleyball grew in grade 4 as she started playing the said sport in school. Since then, she chose to focus on the sport. This freshman international studies student didn’t expect that she would be much of an advantage to the team. With her tossing skills behind powerful spikes, the Tigers advanced to the championship round. Joana highly values her faith and says it is a primary source of motivation.

Francis Neil Hoy

Liezel Cheng

As a graduating student of mechanical engineering, Francis finds being the captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team a notable achievement. He has been playing Ultimate for almost three years. Prior to being the captain, he was the team’s coach; being a varsity player of the volleyball team hindered him from directly participating in the Intramurals. Now that he had left the courts, Francis chose to enter the field and play with the team toward victory.

Liezel started training in Taekwondo when she was just in grade 3 but never had the chance to play in a tournament until this year. “The day before [the event] pa man gani , I could barely sleep because it is my first time,” the second year engeneering student says. She believes that hard work and perseverance will help aspiring athletes to achieve success. “If you want something then you should do your best. You must do your 100 percent to be able to achieve your greatest capabilities.”

Paul Omongos

Cris Villapañe “Taekwondo not only teaches us to become masters of kicks, it is also a way of life,” says Cris who has been playing taekwondo since sixth grade. His hard work and determination paves the way for victory. Despite his parents’ initial reluctance to let him continue with Taekwondo, Cris still fights and proves that his passion is worth pursuing. Crusader

Shaina Cemacio Shaina, who lives by discipline, dedication, and determination, has joined the Palarong Pambansa and Milo Nationals. Aside from focusing on sports, she excels in her academics and currently maintains a scholarship as an education student. Playing athletics since grade three, she already considers the sport as something inherently second nature. “Kung player man gud ka, pangitaon gyud sa imong lawas ang mo dula,” she said.

Ayn Magracia Ayn, a senior business administration student, is quite well-known as she consistently ranks among the most outstanding tennis players of XU. Her love for lawn tennis can be traced back to her grade 5 days when she had to beg her mother to allow her to play tennis. After much persuading, her mother agreed; the rest, as they say, is history.

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Paul, a senior civil engineering student, played chess at an early age. Following an accident involving his left hand in fifth grade, he began to love the sport and became more interested in it. Honing his skills allowed him to earn one bronze and gold in the Milolympics during his 3rd and 4th year of high school as well as qualifying to compete in the Palarong Pambansa. He advises aspiring players to always stay humble, so as to keep clear head and avoid making mistakes on the board.

The

Karen Mae Simene

Sean Llenos

Hannah Rebekah Bagsoling

Starting his formal training in table tennis when he was in grade 4, Sean has been joning different table tennis competitions. Being a freshman who competed in the Intramurals, he admitted to being intimidated by the older opponents. But his determination to win along with the inspiration from the person who had been watching him play since the beginning of the competition was his secret to winning and doing well in the games.

Hannah, a junior business administration student, has been playing football since her kindergarten years in Del Monte School. Her enthusiasm for the sport remained, as evidenced by her being the midfielder of the Eagles’ women football team since she entered college. Hannah’s favorite football player is David Beckham and she draws strength from her mother and the team. She comments that this year's competition has been tough since the level of the adversary was very similar to theirs; due to the effort of the team, the Eagles were able to seize the gold.

Alexandre Mattheus Pacturan After an unfortunate experience with bullies during his grade school years, this fifth year mechanical engineering student decided to train in karatedo. As the team captain of the Warriors karate-do team, Alex believes in never backing down in the face of challenges. Even with his body already covered in bruises during the match, he refused to quit. “It must be the spirit of the warrior that made me continue to fight despite the odds,” says Alex.

Princess Gabrielle Libetario Gab has played karate since she was in third grade, and as she reached her college years, her passion for the sport burned brighter. “Ang akong inspiration jud kay ang amo’ng team captain. Determinado kaayo siya and passionate siya sa karate,” she says. During her fights, she lives up to every moment as her spirit comes alive and brings out the warrior in her. She fights not only for herself, but also for the glory of the Warriors.

Ivan Kenan Sabal Some players crumble under pressure but Ivan embraces it. The six-foot forward of the Tigers has won three championships with the team and has yet to experience an Intramurals without finishing gold. In the semifinals against the Wizards, he tallied a game-high five blocks. ArtScies supporters feed off his energy every game but according to him, it is he who feeds off the crowd’s energy. He shares, “Sila (the crowd) man gyud ang gadala sa akong dula permi. Positive ang effect [sa ilang support] sa ako’ng performance.”

Kent Michael Malalis The second year civil engineering student started playing tennis when he was in kinder two. When asked about what motivates him the most, Kent remarks that his father’s constant presence during his games scared him a lot but it pushed him to eventually excel at playing lawn tennis. “Every time naa akong papa kay mahadlok ko pero nalingaw na dayon ko kay naa naman ang barkada. Passion na pud nako [ang lawn tennis],” he shares.

Rey Valenz Sagocsoc After four years of playing sepak takraw in the Intramurals, Rey Valenz has made a lasting mark for leading the Wizards toward championship—a title they’ve been eyeing for five years. This senior computer studies student has been playing sepak takraw since grade 5; his experience equipped him to join regional meets such as the Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association Competition. Asked if he would choose another sport over sepak takraw, Rey says, “Wala. Dili ko mag-dula. Ma-excite ko kung maka-score ka and ikaw ang dahilan na maka-daog [ang team]. Fun gyud siya.”

Warren Thomas Treseno Warren’s interest in badminton began when his parents brought him to their games. After six years’ worth of experience, this sophomore civil engineering student transforms into a veritable powerhouse the moment he steps onto the court. His primary motivation for playing badminton is his desire to meet new people and experience new things, though he also stresses the importance of balancing one’s interests with their academics.

Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

Design by Jigo L. Racaza

Contribution

By The College of Engineering Community

Editor’s note: This is the response of engineering students behind the “One team, one goal. Our time is now” cheer slogan, which drew mixed reactions and stirred discourse after the 2014 University Intramurals. It has been edited for brevity and coherence.

Design by Jericho B. Montellano

nity is the state of individuals being united or joined as one. For the College of Engineering Warriors, ‘unity’ has become more than a concept especially during this year’s Intramurals as we’ve outdone ourselves and shown exemplary performance. Knowing the importance of a sense of belonging through having a common culture, the Tribe has been used to raising the banner which reads “One Tribe, One Goal.” It is a slogan which has been used for years as it best describes the fighting spirit of the Warriors. Seeing the lead and occasional measly gaps in the scoreboard, our thirst for the throne became stronger. Fully aware that we’re capable of reclaiming the title that was ours three years ago, we added “Our Time Is Now” to our banner. This mantra served as an inspiration to the Warriors, as we competed with pride and confidence in every match. During the Intramurals closing program on September 20, this slogan was handwritten in a placard to maintain the momentum of the

Warriors until the end of the university-wide event. It was purposefully brought to hype up the crowd; to let the people know that the Warriors are about to take the spotlight and bring the glory of being the overall Intramurals champion. As the Intramurals came to an end, the Warriors finally received the symbol of a months’ worth of labor, days’ and nights’ worth of preparation, and hours’ worth of sweat and pain—the title of being the overall champion. Unfortunately, a handful of individuals saw our slogan in a different light. Raising our slogan—the first letters of which they consider vulgar—has been seen as an obscene or malicious act. This incident was triggered by a social media post which expressed a person’s disappointment toward the Warriors’ behavior. Some people were misled. We, the Warriors, have been branded as “unAtenean” as our slogan was deemed contrary to the “values” expected of a student studying in this institution. This commenced an altogether new trial. This trial challenged us to defend our act, that it was done out of good intention, against those who accused us for an unproven misconduct. As this issue became bigger, the possibility of a student being suspended or expelled—even before the College formally defended itself—cropped up. That consequence for raising a banner decided vulgar or obscene by a few people.

We found ourselves at an unfair position as the policies in the student handbook are vague to begin with. After a series of dialogue, we agreed with the Office of Student Affairs’ proposition: that we would issue a public apology to those who, in a way or another, were offended by our act. However, we still stand by our decision that our slogan was made out of good intention. Looking at this situation from another perspective, the unity of our “tribe” has been strengthened as we defended our stance and supported one another. It brought a kind of bond that resembles that of a family. In the end, whether the Intramurals season is on, we live by our slogan: One Tribe, One Goal, One Family.C

Vol. 41 No. 3 October 2014

ra CoContrabida:

Lampoon

Pageants, Placards, and Posts

s I enjoyed the last days of my staggered Intramurals experience, various thoughts came to mind. Who knew Intramurals allows more self-realization than a three-day retreat? The only difference is that a three-day retreat occurs in successive days, thus, sustaining the momentum of the retreat. Not that the Intramurals spirit needs to be sustained anyway, just saying.

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expulsion and issuing a memorandum really proved that the admin’s stand is right and just. How a simple placard could disrupt a wholesome and conducive environment is beyond me. Maybe the complaints on noisy hallways during class hours and boisterous cheers during PE class at the covered courts don’t qualify as legitimate “unAtenean” acts because nobody posted against it in Facebook. Add the excessive litter left behind by students at the canteen. It goes to show that students value the way acronyms are spelled and not what it actually means; not just for the engineering slogan, but even the basic CLAYGO. ***

If anything, every Intramurals season taught me the ways to become an ideal Atenean: being flabbergasted at a phrase describing a normal body function, having a sense of humor that borders to zero, and—because people are fond of throwbacks—having naturally colored hair.C

Illustration Design by Ricoby M.Jigo Magallona L. Racaza

Let’s build up hype by conducting classes in between the game schedules. Surely, that won’t kill the momentum and excitement. Nonetheless, the whole Intramurals affair was filled with a substantial turn of events, and I’d say it taught me more than just sportsmanship and teamwork. For one, I came to realize the importance of pageants and beauty products. As I watch the candidates, a shocking realization hit me: What if the greatest problems in our society could be solved by beauty kings and queens? It all makes sense. You see, without them, who else would people look up to? When you’ve won a pageant by having, let’s say, the most votes garnered from buying Php 50 worth of products, then you must be a person worthy of high regard, right? By winning a pageant, you develop values such as integrity and incorruptible moral character. As I recall, proper poise, awkward opening dance numbers, and stage walks in slow motion are part of the core Atenean values that we hold so dear. What better way to showcase them than to incorporate them in a sports event? Well, if sponsors are going to pay for the event, then why not have it? Being a community welcoming of change, it’s about time that we highlight the pageant rather than the awarding of athletes. But wait. Why not add an Original

Pinoy Music singing contest to compliment the occasion? A beauty pageant with mindboggling question-and-answer portions plus a variety show—that would be a perfect closing ceremony to an adrenalinefilled sports event. Yet another epiphany brought by the Intramurals is that our school’s ever fragile image greatly depends on a handful of students going rah-rah during a school program. What can I say? Instances of inefficient teaching and under-maintained facilities are too big of a deal to focus on. Oh wait, did the University sanction the activity or was it the sponsors? Nah, I’m pretty sure the organizers had full control of the activity and didn’t let the sponsors overrule them. As far as I’m concerned, there wasn’t a single hint of commercialism present, even when the candidates role-played as promo guys and girls. Anyway, I’m pretty sure the school administrators didn’t find the slogan bearing an acronym, which incidentally translates into an aroused phallus, a threat to the values and principles of our institution. Doing so would prove how brittle that principle is when it can easily be destroyed by an act that could’ve been driven by simple college humor. Also, threats of

Note: All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Dear ate Charot, Itago ko! ay! I mean, itago ko sa pangalang Cookie a.k.a. Ok ka Cookie. Ate tabangi ko. I caught my bf in the act having another lover! Juice Colored! duha pajud! the left and right hold them up high so clean and bright! Lami kaayo lechonon! Happy Fiesta kaayo! Nganong permi man ko gabinuangan ug ekal? Nganong sa tanan lake siya paman? Nganong ang siopao kung balihon papel? Help me ate ASAP! pero pede na ugma kay manglaba pakog uniform P.S. patukar adtong “All of me” kay selfie kaayo akong peg run! TY! Dear Cookie, Juice Colored! Paita oy! Well, mao na atong gitawag nga NORMAL! Simple ra kaayo solosyon ana dai, mangita ug lain! As they say daghan pa fish sa ocean! Bahalag pasayan dai hala patuli! Love him from neck to toe! hahaha! Hala pag tiwas nag panglaba sa akong uniform!hahaha Labandera! Jokens! Baboosh!

ACROSS 2. Ayn Magracia is a ______ business administration student. 7. Keevin Hero’s position in football. 8. The Wizards became the champion in Sepak Takraw after how many years? 11. When did Kent Malalis started playing tennis? 15. Francis Hoy’s nickname . 16. Warriors' slogan One ______, one goal! 17. Score that made the Tigers won over the Eagles in Men’s Basketball. 18. The Engineering Warrior’s slogan. 19. How many minutes does an Over Time in football commonly have? 20. September __ is the day tigers won over phoenixes women in volleyball. DOWN 1. The I in IPT. 3. ___ .91 is the fastest record time in 100m dash. 4. The head volleyball coach of the School of Business and Management. 5. The place where the football tournament next semester will be held. 6. Eagle’s midfielder in football women. 9. The girl who has the spirit of a man. 10. O in UAO. 12. Barangay ____ was the place where lawn-tennis women category championship was held. 13. September ___ is the date Xavier University won over Capitol University in football. 14. The 1st A in COSAA. To Join: photocopy this Kurisword with your answers and submit your entry to TheCrusader Publication office at StC 302 with your name and contact number. Lucky participants will receive limited edition collectables. Congratulations! sa mga winners sa last Kurisword, ug salamat sa mga nag-apil. The winners will receive Havaiabas nga naay pakapin birth sikit2x. Yehey! joke lang bes! Just claim your surprising reward at TheCrusader Publication office, StC 302. And the winners are... “Tantadada! boom! blag! plok! plak! boom pingis!”: Baluyos, Sidlakan Therezza S. and Faune, Frances. Congrats!

Ania na mga higala ang pinaka especial na horoscope nga para lang sa inyuha. Ayaw ug kabalaka kung problema nimo kay ang finals, kay kining among horoscope lupig pa sa alas imo makuha kung mukatawa lang ka. haha!

Aquarius (Waterboy sa Intrams) Wala lge unta ka niuban sa imung uyab atong intrams honey, na missed nimo ang fun, hurot pa imung money. Lucky Color: Green Green Grass OOTD: (For Swimming) Swimsuit nga hoodie Aries (Tinigway sa Manresa) Ayaw pag vending kung ga-stress nakag sugod, kay ma-stress kag samot kung ma-NO ICE labin nag ikaw na untay sunod. Lucky Color: Karton Brown OOTD: (Applicable to all) Maong nga Brief Cancer (Igsoon sa usa ka dancer sa intrams) Feel nako makauyab kag goal keeper friend, that will protect you no matter what happens. Lucky Color: Gold Eagle Beer OOTD: (For Basketball) Jersey nga backless Capricorn (Isug sama sa Kapre nga gakaon ug corn) Kung mka score ang crush nimo, sa drum sa SBM gsabay ang heartbeat nimo. Aguy Galagubo! Lucky Color: Lemoncitrus OOTD: (For Cheer dance) Long Ball Gowns Gemini (Doubles kunuhay) Likayi sa ang pag inum ug milk tea, basin unya pag kuot sa bulsa, wa nay plete. Lucky Color: Black Velvet OOTD: (For Cheer dance) Pomspoms made in sako Leo (Leo Army) Ang gaparamdam sa imu karun, kay mag exert najud ug effort mka home run lang sa imong heart intawon. Lucky Color: Blonded yellow OOTD: (For Swimming) Goggles nga Rayban Libra (Timbangan sa Athletics) Cool ang uyab nga naay sports langga, pero bantay2x basin sa imo, igo ra gadula-dula. Lucky Color: Elmer’s Blue OOTD: (For Swimming) Combat boots Pisces (The Karate Fish!) Mao unta ni imong team, makakita lang ug gwapo’g gwapa sa pikas, traydor-traydoran din. Lucky Color: Sky Black OOTD: (For Athletics) Cycling nga luag Sagittarius (Archer sa puso mo. Ew.) Daog man o pildi imung team, balik napud ka sa pagluwas sa imung sem ging. Lucky Color: Silver Swan OOTD: (For Karate) Karate Robe with Supra Shoes Scorpio (Score Pro!) Concentrate ug support sa imong team, basin ma LSS ka sa chant sa Engineering. Lucky Color: White Flour OOTD: (For Soccer) Studge nga with wheels Taurus (Suki tumbahon sa Aggies) Ayaw palabi ug cheer ging, basin ma judge ka nila’g papansin. Lucky Color: Piggy Pink OOTD: (For Taekwondo) Head gear nga pang motor Virgo (You’re Vir-good!) Hinay2x sah sa DotA run, apil pakag intrams mkaginansya kag six pack nga abs dong. Lucky Color: Choco na Yellow OOTD: (For Tennis) Racket nga kalha