Sports Editors Kirby G. Jalandoni Joaquin A. Santos
Graphic Design Editors Carmela B. Masiglat Neil R. Reyes
Writers Apa D. Aquino Joseph B. Banaag Neal R. Beltran Jeremy L. Chua Ally S. Crespo Jaime D. David Nielbert A. Dy James B. Gavina Gio P. Guinto Miguel G. Policarpio
Layout Artists Tan Yu Ling Fabro Carmela B. Masiglat Neil R. Reyes
Photos Editors Zoey Ignacio Aldo Santiago
Alithea C. Soriano Editor-in-Chief Margarita C. Gonzalez Associate Editor Jyra Zoe T. Ang Managing Editor Jason T. Mariano Design Executive Editor
Photographers Mark Anastacio Trina Camacho Julia Carpio Zoey Ignacio Ralph Lim Gabriel Medina Aga Olympia Bruce Ong Reena C. Pineda Aldo Santiago Joshua Tan Kelly Veneracion Paolo Yaptinchay Izza Zamoranos
Cover Art Jason T. Mariano
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS Kirby G. Jalandoni and Joaquin A. Santos The GUIDON Sports Editors
2019 IS A SIGNIFICANT YEAR IN THE WORLD OF ATENEO SPORTS.
Thirdy Ravena
Not only is the Ateneo de Manila University the host school for the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82, the year also marks the 70th anniversary of the Blue Eagle Gym—an iconic gymnasium that has housed countless games and trainings of Ateneo teams since 1949. Moreover, The GUIDON Sports—the publication that chronicles Ateneo’s athletic triumphs and defeats—turned 90 years old last June 22, 2019. Aligned with these momentous times and the exciting events planned for the season, The GUIDON Sports will continue to innovate the way we tell the story of the
Atenean athlete, guided by The GUIDON’s thrust to take our narratives further with the Truth. The UAAP Season 82 Primer prepares the Ateneo community to witness and engage in the journeys that each team and athlete will embark on. Here, we explore the narratives each team has built throughout the years. This season represents the next chapter, not only for them, but also for Ateneo’s greater pursuit of excellence. Although each team enters this new season guided by their own missions, we all stand united in the same Blue and White that the entire Ateneo community proudly wears.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Band of brothers on a mission Written by Jaime D. David and Gio P. Guinto
LOADED WITH familiar faces, the Blue Eagles head into Season 82 poised to swoop for their third straight crown. The cerebral Tab Baldwin returns for his fourth year as coach of the Blue Eagles. He brings with him a deadly arsenal of weapons, including graduating seniors Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, and back-to-back UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player Thirdy Ravena. Much like last season, Angelo Kouame looks to be a leading catalyst in the Blue Eagles’ title bid. The Ivorian center’s uncanny combination of height, length, and agility allows him to dominate both ends of the court. Moreover, reliable playmakers Tyler Tio and SJ Belangel are expected to receive heavier minutes this year after strong individual performances in Season 81 and the pre-season. This season figures to be one of the most competitive UAAP Men’s Basketball seasons in recent memory with several schools touting championship-caliber squads. However, Ateneo’s mix of brains, experience, and talent makes them the favorites to win it all and secure their third consecutive chip.
Isaac Go
Matt Nieto
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Jhazmin Joson
Win together, inspire together
Written by Nielbert A. Dy
A 2-0 start to Season 81 seemed to have set up the Lady Eagles for a promising year. However, narrow losses to contending teams turned the tables on Ateneo’s campaign. They ended with a 4-10 record, missing out on the Final Four yet again. With the departure of long-serving players Jollina Go and Cara Buendia, the team looks to start anew under the mentorship of newly-minted Head Coach Kat Quimpo. Coming from a system that relied heavily on individual production, Quimpo will adopt a motion offense that
focuses on ball movement. The return of key veteran Hazelle Yam, who was ineligible last season, will give the Lady Eagles a much needed boost on both ends. With more than half the team set to graduate this year, the Lady Eagles come into Season 82 motivated to end their collegiate careers on a high note. Co-captain Nicole Cancio also sees this year as their last opportunity to push women’s basketball further. “There are no local women professional leagues, so this is our last chance,” Cancio says. “We want to inspire young female ballers.”
Nicole Cancio
Gavin Ong
Alexander Santos
Stay locked in
MEN’S CHESS Written by Neal R. Beltran
DESPITE A 7th place finish last season, the Ateneo Men’s Chess team is optimistic entering UAAP Season 82. The team finished Season 81 with 19.5 points—matching their total from Seasons 79 and 80, combined. This year, the Blue Eagles are bringing back four key contributors: Team Captain Gavin Ong, Tristan Cervero, Alexander Santos, and Vince Edralin. The squad is also anticipating the debut of rookies Kurt Ong from Ateneo de Manila Senior High School and Hans Reyes from De La Salle Santiago Zobel. In addition, Season 82 marks the arrival of Head Coach Luffe Magdalaga who coached the Far Easter University Tamaraws to a championship one season ago. As a youthful team, the Blue Eagles gained invaluable experience in Season 81. The players hope that what they learned from last season’s campaign will improve the squad and their camaraderie going forward. With a championship-winning head coach now at the helm, it is easy to imagine the Ateneo Men’s Chess Team taking a jump in UAAP Season 82. Tristan Cevero
Manilyn Cabungcag
WOMEN’S CHESS
Written by Neal R. Beltran
THE ATENEO Women’s Chess team is on the upswing with a new season on the horizon. Even if the team finished Season 81 in last place, their performance wasn’t as dreary as their record suggests. The Lady Eagles were competitive in many matches throughout Season 81, ultimately garnering 22 points—their best finish in five years. A bulk of last season’s core will be making their return in Season 82. Team Captain Merlene Membrere, who is in her fifth year of eligibility, leads the experience-laden squad. Membrere is backed by established veterans such as
Laila Nadera, Alexis Oseña, and former Team Captain Jill Feliciano. The team will also usher in talented rookie Manilyn Cabungcag, who is a former champion of Batang Pinoy, a national sports competition for athletes below 15 years old. Meanwhile, Head Coach Yves V. Rañola will return for his fourth season with the team. The Lady Eagles aim to finish in the top four in Season 82. If last season’s encouraging performance is any indication, the team is on the right track in reaching that goal.
Alexis Oseña
Merlene Membrere
On the right track Laila Nadera
VOLLEY
UAAP SEASON 82 ONE BIG FIGHT
TABLE
Planting seeds for success Mark Parman
Jamie De Asis
Men’s Table tennis Written by Jeremy L. Chua
AFTER A six-year losing drought, the Blue Paddlers finally made their presence known in Season 81. Despite the 3-11 overall win-loss record that put the team at bottom place, the Blue Eagles scored big upsets over eventual Final Four contenders the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, and the De La Salle University Green Archers. Heading into Season 82, long-time veteran James Somontina will return for his final year. Newly minted Team Captain
Mark Parman together with fellow sophomores Jamie De Asis, Carlo Chua, and Bailey Acidera will continue to spearhead the Blue Paddlers’ campaign under the tutelage of Coach Mario Breiva. Meanwhile, an influx of young talent composed of France De Asis, Bruce Romualdez, Eisenhower Yu, and Franco Gonzalez look to contribute in the upcoming season as well. Season 82’s squad will be a right balance of veteran experience and youthful energy—perfect for building a winning culture for the years to come.
Stake a claim Hellari Calvo
Kath BulaqueĂąa
woMen’s Table tennis Written by Jeremy L. Chua
THE LADY Eagles finished Season 81 in sixth place with a 5-9 record, a massive improvement from their 0-14 and 2-12 win-loss slates from Season 79 and 80, respectively. The team looks to sustain their improved performance in the upcoming season. With Coach Joseph Cruz at the helm, Team Captain Hellari Calvo, alongside veteran holdovers Sharmae Ong, Angela Calvo, Kath Bulaqueña, Geque Carado, and Nadine Uy, will lead the charge for the Lady Eagles. Ann Gella Borbon and
Kaela Aguilar, a pair of highly-recruited talents from the juniors ranks, will also join the team. The two blue-chip rookies have national team experience, making them major additions for both the present and future of the Ateneo Women’s Table Tennis team. The Lady Eagles have made linear improvements for the past three years—a clear sign that the team is on the upswing. With a more experienced line-up at hand, the Lady Paddlers have a good chance to barge into the Final Four picture come Season 82.
Men’s beach volleyball Written by James B. Gavina
Winning is in the details Abai Llenos
LAST YEAR, the Blue Eagles went through a tough transition period with an entirely different lineup from seasons prior. The team composed of Abai Llenos, Kurt Aguilar, and Zolo Ligot finished their first UAAP campaign with a 2-5 record, with their two wins against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the De La Salle University Green Archers. All three will be returning for Season 82. In the offseason, they focused on reading the ball better, perfecting their timing, and working
on their defense due to the attackoriented nature of the men’s game. Llenos will once again lead the team as the captain with Aguilar serving as his partner on the sands. Ligot will serve a vital role as the team’s reserve player and voice on the sidelines. For returning Head Coach Vince Mangulabnan, the main takeaway from Season 81 was the valuable experience gained in their collegiate beach volleyball debuts. With a season under their belt, the young trio will now look to secure a spot in the Final Four.
Disrupt and dominate Ponggay Gaston
WOMen’s beach volleyball Written by Ally S. Crespo
DESPITE FAILING to reach their goal of making the Final Four last season, the Lady Eagles come into Season 82 undeterred and with the same target in mind. Team Captain Ponggay Gaston returns with a new partner on the sand: Roma Mae Doromal, who hails from the National University-Nazareth School. Doromal is no stranger to the sand as she has already competed in off-season beach volleyball tournaments. Sofia Navarro, who will be making her UAAP Beach Volleyball debut, fills out the roster as the third member.
Jules Samonte will not suit up this season to rest and provide leadership for the indoor volleyball team. However, still on deck to mentor these Lady Eagles is seasoned setter Coach Vince Mangulabnan. This season, the team will be working hard for a spot in the Final Four. They have given extra attention and care to building the chemistry of the main duo in Gaston and Doromal. Other than making the Final Four, Coach Mangulabnan wants his girls to play this season with a shared 0bjective in mind: To win.
Raise the bar
Paul Cham
Men’s Taekwondo Written by Jeremy L. Chua
THE ATENEO Men’s Taekwondo Team concluded Season 81 in fifth place with a 2-4 record. Aaron Agojo, Paul Cham, and Harley Santos were the bright spots in their Season 81 campaign as the trio earned Ateneo’s only gold medals during the tournament. However, the upcoming season will be a different story. Coach Elmer Rafael’s men will enter Season 82 without Agojo, Season 79’s Team Captain and former national team member. Nonetheless, current Team Captain Cham and Season 81 Rookie of the
Year Santos are expected to step up and fill the void. Sophomore Miguel Garcia III and rookie Joebert Padilla are also expected to play crucial roles in the Blue Eagles’ podium hopes. “Just like our goal for the past season, we will still aim for the championship this year. Despite the absence of one of our key players in Aaron Agojo, we will still do our best in order to bring home the championship,” says Santos.
Harley Santos
TRACK MIN
UAAP SEASON 82 ONE BIG FIGHT
FIELD
WON
WOMEN’S TAEKWONDO Elaine Peralta
Written by Jeremy L. Chua
AFTER A second-place finish in Season 80, several heartbreaking losses dragged the Lady Eagles to fifth place as they concluded Season 81 with a 3-3 record. With 2018 Asian Games bronze medalist Pauline Lopez’s decision to forego the upcoming season to prepare for international competitions, the team faces a steep climb for Season 82. Much of the core members of last year’s team will return this season along with Coach Elmer Rafael. Team Captain Danielle Morales and Co-captain Elaine Peralta will lead the charge, while veterans Alex Rabino, Winslet Rosel, Julienne Bermejo, and Jennevieve De Asis will also banner Ateneo in their Season 82 campaign. With no rookies entering the team, the Lady Eagles will have to lean on their experience and continued development to improve from last season’s performance. “Our silver finish in Season 80 continues to serve as an inspiration for us to work hard and come back stronger,” says Peralta. “We just have to commit our hearts to winning and overcoming our fears which will help us bring home the long-awaited gold.”
Take the throne Danielle Morales
MEN’S SWIMMING Born to swim, built to last Aki Cariño
Written by Apa D. Aquino
SEASON 81’S championship-winning campaign marked the end of an era for the FAST Ateneo Men’s Swimming Team. With last year’s legends leaving the pool, it’s up to the next generation of tankers to uphold the golden legacy and Ateneo’s prestigious swimming standard. This year’s lineup is composed of Team Captain Aki Cariño, Season 79 Rookie of the Year (ROY) Miggy Arellano, Season 80 ROY Miguel Barlisan, and freestyle sprinter Jethro Chua. The veterans will play key roles in passing on the championship mentality to youngbloods Nathan Barlis and Philippine Team
swimmers Jiron Rotoni and Rian Tirol. Against all odds, the long-standing kings from Katipunan aim to sustain the same high level of competition from previous generations in the name of self-growth, respect, and honor for Ateneo. Five years of dominion in the collegiate swimming scene is no small feat. With the guidance of veteran Head Coach Candice Esguerra-Federiso, the team is expected to give nothing less than a champion’s heart, mind, and soul to stretch the legacy even further.
Drew Magbag
WOMEN’S SWIMMING One team, all fast
Raegan Gavino
Written by Apa D. Aquino
THE ATENEO Women’s Swimming Team has established themselves as a powerhouse in the UAAP swimming scene after back-to-back championship stints in Seasons 77 to 78 and Seasons 80 to 81. This season, three-time UAAP Champion and Team Captain Raegan Gavino will lead the charge. Gavino is backed by national team elite freestyle and butterfly specialist Chloe Daos, Season 81 Rookie of the Year (ROY) Dara Carreon, and Season 79 ROY Andrea Ngui. The rest of the seasoned queens are tasked to instill the FAST Ateneo Swimming Team (FAST) championship spirit into all their recruits, most of whom hail from the Ateneo Senior High School. Excellence in all aspects is a testament to the FAST mantra of pushing beyond their limits and keeping the championship dream alive. Head Coach Candice Esguerra-Federiso has been a mainstay in the program for the past seven years. With a large number of rookies at hand, championship sustainability not only relies on the veterans, but also on Coach Candice’s superb leadership and careful tutelage to the youngsters.
Chloe Daos
Fides Bagasbas
Jeno Carino
MEN’S BADMINTON
Written by Joseph B. Banaag
THE ATENEO Men’s Badminton Team turned heads with their grit last season. Their campaign was filled with several come-from-behind efforts, most notably in their valiant stand against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the semifinals. This season’s squad will be led by the Captain duo of Keoni Asuncion and Fides Bagasbas. However, Asuncion and Bagasbas are the only holdovers from last year’s team. The departure of veterans Carlo Remo and Sean Chan means that the Blue Eagles will feature some new faces in Season 82. Their five
rookies—Jeno Cariño, Bryan Bernardo, Cody Torres, Pingkoy Salvado, and Jacinto Maliwat—will all join in the team’s offseason training in Thailand. The balanced combination of talent among the developing rookies and seasoned veterans is a cause of optimism within the team, enabling them to be competitive both at present and in the future. As Head Coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles continues to spearhead the team, the goal remains the same for the Blue Eagles: To end the National University Bulldogs’ dynasty and bring the badminton crown back to Katipunan.
New blood, new heights Keoni Asuncion
Geva de Vera
Sam Ramos
g n i s i R y t s a n y d
Women’s Badminton Written by Neal R. Beltran
COMING OFF a magical run that saw the Lady Eagles win the championship, the Ateneo Women’s Badminton team is back and better than ever. Despite finishing tied for third with the De La Salle Lady Archers at the end of the elimination round in Season 81, the Lady Eagles went undefeated in the postseason en route to the crown. The Lady Eagles will come into Season 82 with much of last year’s title-winning squad still intact. UAAP Season 81’s CoMost Valuable Players Chanelle Lunod and Geva De Vera headline this year’s roster, while seasoned veterans such as former
Team Captain Samantha Ramos and Bea Felizardo are also back into the fold. A handful of rookies like Geia De Vera, Aubrey Masongsong, and the highly-touted Mika De Guzman will arrive to bolster the already-talented roster as well. Unlike last season, the Lady Eagles are no longer the Cinderella team; they will surely be the group marked on every opponent’s schedule. However, the sheer talent of the Lady Eagles should make them more than capable of facing this challenge and defending the throne. Chanelle Lunod
SWIM
blue
bas
battalion
UAAP SEASON 82 ONE BIG FIGHT
ball
Break ahead of the pack Jonathan Talbot
Men’s track and field Written by Miguel G. Policarpio
AFTER CAPPING off Season 81 with a substandard 6th place finish, the Ateneo Men’s Track and Field Team is back with the same supporting cast; this time, ready for redemption. Despite finishing far behind, it was a year of positive strides from the Men’s Team, which saw three Blue Eagles finish with medals in their respective events. This year’s team features a bevy of experienced tracksters. The Blue Eagles will retain their esteemed decathletes, mainly Henry Gonzales, Matteo Crisostomo, and Mark Operario. Expect the tandem of Gonzales and Operario, each of whom bagged bronze medals
Miggy Austria
in the decathlon and pole vault, respectively, to achieve greater feats next season. Also returning to the team are key veterans Jonathan Talbot, Standi Siongco, and sprinters Rafa Dylim and Miguel Garrido. “This should be our breakout year,” claimed Head Coach Mick Perez, who has been at the helm for over 20 years. After an improved outing last season, Perez expects the Blue Eagles to simply take things up a notch this year. The ultimate goal remains the same: Bring Ateneo to a coveted podium finish.
WOmen’s track and field Written by Miguel G. Policarpio
THE ATENEO Women’s Track and Field Team hopes to keep the fire going despite the departure of long-time Team Captain Kim Zulueta and team stalwart Nika Crisostomo. The Lady Eagles ended at 6th place in Season 81, despite tallying more medals and overall points than their Season 80 campaign. As the team focuses on diversifying their athleticism to insert players into multiple events, the Lady Eagles are set to go further as a unit. Gold medalist pole vaulter Jia Kawachi returns this year, along with silver medal awardees Bella Artuz and Sheila Talja. Martha Capistrano
After a notable UAAP debut, sprinter Krizia Zulueta is back to build on an impressive rookie year. Joining this core are veteran standouts Viah Mostoles, Marga Delos Reyes, and Martha Capistrano, all of whom are ready to contribute to the up-and-coming group of tracksters. Along with fifth-year Head Coach Riezel Buenaventura, the team looks poised to build on last year’s gritty performance. With this year’s talented mix of veterans and emerging names, expect the Lady Eagles to vault higher in the UAAP once more.
s e n i l h s i n i f No Jia Kawachi
Marga Delos Reyes
Joc Bulan
Blue babble battalion Written by Gio P. Guinto
AFTER EXCEEDING all expectations with last year’s Disney-themed performance, the revitalized Blue Babble Battalion will carry the school’s colors once again in pursuit of greater heights in Season 82. Team Captains Franny Balburias, Mikee Turano, and Shawn Nagrampa state that their team’s mission remains clear: To capture a coveted podium finish, a feat that had only been accomplished once nearly ten years ago. With a total of ten rookies in the lineup, the team will rely on the remaining veterans and the tutelage of Coach Jacqueline Alolor-Alota to provide the youngsters
with wisdom and motivation. Equipped with an advanced skill set, lifter Jasper Limenzon, who will be competing for the second time, looks to be an important presence in sharpening the rookies’ mastery of techniques. As for the cheerdancers, flyer Thea Banson, who was sidelined during last year’s routine due to an untimely wrist injury, will be a key cog in performing more complex stunts. “We don’t want to put down the level we’ve reached already despite the challenges that we may face. We hope that we may keep it up and even go beyond that this year,” says Balburias.
Iñigo Ubaldo
Step up, shou out
Mikee Turano
TEAM PHOTOS
MEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MEN’S CHESS
WOMEN’S CHESS
MEN’S TABLE TENNIS
WOMEN’S TABLE TENNIS
MEN’S TAEKWONDO
WOMEN’S TAEKWONDO
MEN’S SWIMMING
WOMEN’S SWIMMING
HALIKINU
WOMEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL
FABILOH
MEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ONE BIG FIGHT
UAAP SEASON 82
TEAM PHOTOS
MEN’S BADMINTON
WOMEN’S BADMINTON
MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD UAAP SEASON 82
HALIKINU ONE BIG FIGHT FABILOH
BLUE BABBLE BATTALION
A SONG FOR MARY We stand on a hill between the earth and sky. Now all is still where Loyola’s colors fly. Our course is run and the setting sun ends Ateneo’s day. Eyes are dry at the last goodbye; this is the Ateneo way. Mary for you! For your white and blue! We pray you’ll keep us, Mary, constantly true! We pray you’ll keep us, Mary, faithful to you! Down from the hill, down to the world go I; rememb’ring still, how, the bright Blue Eagles fly. Through joys and tears, through the laughing years, we sing our battle song; Win or lose, it’s the school we choose; this is the place where we belong! Mary for you! For your white and blue! We pray you’ll keep us, Mary, constantly true! We pray you’ll keep us, Mary, faithful to you!
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