BEAT THE ODDS:

Uaap Second Semester Primer

What to Expect and Who to Watch out for From the Red Warriors

BY JESSICA ANN S. EVANGELISTA

AFTER returning to full action and welcoming sports fans back into the arena for the first semester events, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is set to continue the athletic momentum as the second semester sports commence in February.

The University of the East (UE) is expected to produce more game-changing moments this semester in order to build on the men’s basketball team’s commendable stint last semester, which was better than the previous season. The games in which the Red Warriors will compete are expected to boost the team’s spirit and level of play to new heights.

The Recto-based squad may be a UAAP underdog, but their first semester performance surprised many. However, as the second-semester of UAAP fencing and volleyball events begin, the Red Warriors are poised to excel and not back down. Here are the things you can expect: the schedules, what sports to watch, and which players to root for. Being an underdog demands appreciation but never contentment, so let’s witness how the Red Warriors will continue to thrive this time around!

Volleyball

UE’s volleyball team currently holds the third spot with the most championships among the UAAP schools. Twelve victories for Men’s, six wins for Women’s, 14 for the Boys’, and five for the Girls’ with 37 wins in total as of this writing.

Over the years, UE has managed to birth volleyball players who have begun to make their names in the professional league, one of them is Kathleen “Kath” Faith Arado, a member of the Philippines women’s national volleyball team. She won Rookie of the Year, Best Digger, Best Receiver, and Best Libero awards in the UAAP. She is a two-time Best Libero in the semi-professional league Philippine Super Liga.

Other notable players from UE include Shakey’s V-League Best Blocker Suzanne Roces, 2019 PSL Collegiate Grand Slam Conference Best Setter Laizah Ann Bendong, 2019 PSL Invitational Cup 2nd Best Outside Hitter Ma. Shaya Adorador, and 2018 PSL Collegiate Grand Slam Conference 2nd Best Outside Hitter Mary Anne Mendrez.

Below are the names of the volleyball players that will don the red and white this season

Men’s Volleyball Roster

Middle blocker Lloyd Josafat, who played for the national team during the pandemic, will lead the squad this season. Over the years, Josafat has exhibited impressive outputs for the Red Warriors, one of which was his stint against University of the Philippines (UP) during Season 82 in which he fired 32 points and delivered the match-clinching block. He is expected to solidify this year’s line up, with team captain Ralph Imperial by his side.

Players who also showed their noteworthy stint in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League last year will debut this Season 85, along with new faces and reliable players that will give the Lualhati tribe a chance on the podium. The complete lineup is listed below:

Imperial, Ralph Ryan (C)

Josafat, Lloyd

Reyes, Jose Mari Solis, Aldwin Culabat, Kenneth Roi Andaya, John Michael

Mangahis, John Paul Reyes, Angelo De Lima, Eryn Maui Torres, Giles Jeffer

Camaymayan, Xjhann

Defeo, Axel

Pozas, Joshua Lamis, Steve Kent

Head Coach: Jerome Guhit

Women’s Volleyball Roster

Hoping to live up to the footsteps of Kath Arado and others, Janeca Lana will captain the team alongside notable twin towers Lia Pelaga and Riza Nogales, who are included in the national team training pool for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. Despite the departure of some key players, new faces like KC Cepada, who is slowly proving she is one to watch due to her preseason performance, will try to increase the team’s chances of victory as the Lady Warriors work together in this second semester’s match. The complete lineup is listed below:

Lana, Janeca Janine (C) Babol, Jasckin May Manalo, Rhea Zeta, Jenina Marie Quizon, Jhudielle Pelaga, Lia Alexa Nieva, Percae Darabella Balingit, Kayce Nogales, Riza Bangayan, Vanessa Karzai Reyes, Angelica Cepada, KC Dionisio, Kamille Tequin, Shainely

Head Coach: Kris Ronwald Dimaculangan

Fencing

UE’s fencing team has been one for the books given the number of accolades it has brought to Lualhati over the years. As of this writing, the Recto-based squad holds the title with the most championships among the UAAP schools. Fourteen victories for men, 12 for women, nine for boys, and seven for girls, for a total of 32 wins, with the possibility of adding more this season.

UE was the home of sporting pride and fencing phenomenon Samantha Kyle Catantan, who is currently at Penn State University in Pennsylvania, USA, to hone more of her fencing skills. Catantan is the first Filipino gold medalist in Asian individual fencing. She has ruled the UAAP Juniors Fencing with four consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards under her name during her time at UE and has also gathered other national awards along the way. The Red-and-White fencing team has yet to release the names of all the players that will banner the Red-and-White this season,

Football

but according to Vicious Brainiac Fencing’s Facebook page, fencing stars Prince John “Tipoy” Felipe and Shawn Nicollei “Kulay” Felipe will lead the Men’s Foil this season, alongside national fencer RJ Perez. Meanwhile, in the Women’s Foil, Maricar Matienzo, who pocketed the gold in the U23 Women’s Foil, is reportedly one of the UE players who will take the competition by storm this season. As for the game schedule, it is slated to run from February 23–26.

After a two-year absence from the UAAP men’s football competition, the UE Men’s Football Team is set to return to the field this season, grappling for triumph. The Lualhati tribe is overjoyed with the squad’s additions, which include new recruits and a veteran presence. The team is prepared to go all out in the competition in order to reach the top.

National team player and goalkeeper Lance Bencio and Joniel James Pamati-an would defend the post of the Rectobased tribe. Jerome Abarca,

Edmar Adonis, Paolo Alovera, Jerome Ang, Michael Brobbey, Duane Calawod, Sammy Capellan, Lester Carandang, Ronniel Ebbah, and Ian Gatilao would fuel the squad.

Also joining the roster are Crimson Inguito, Kian Lauriano, Joshua Macaraig, Elbrin Madrid, John Bernard Magallon, Champ Marin, Jam Ray Mariveles, Nuar-Mar Modin, Nikko Palacio, and Emmanuel Robrigado. The team will be mentored by head coach Fitch Florence Arboleda.

The Red Warriors may not have a stellar UAAP record when all game results are considered, but they do have their moments of brilliance in between. What matters is that they believe they have a reasonable chance of winning every time they enter the arena or field. Every time and in every match, the Red Warriors grow stronger and more determined, ensuring that they will always be a source of pride for the Rectobased community. So let us all do our part and cheer them on this season!