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Bulldogs kick off V-league drive vs Tams
After the highly successful Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, collegiate volley takes center stage beginning today with National U launching its title-retention drive against UAAP rival Far Eastern U in the men’s side of the 2023 V-League Collegiate Championship at the Paco Arena in Manila......»»
Retailers’ meet to banner Jollibee success story
This year’s 29th edition of the National Retail Conference and Expo centers on the success and challenges of the country’s most successful multinational chain of fast-food restaurants, Jollibee Foods Corporation. The event will also introduce the company’s chief business officer, Joseph Tanbuntiong, who will share how Jollibee triumphed amid challenges. Famed for its “bida ang saya” tagline, Jollibee is known to never fail Filipino and international customers, bringing smiles to faces with their well-thought-out meals, including its famous signature Chickenjoy. Having made its mark on the global stage, Jollibee’s success is not only a triumph for the brand but for Filipinos as well. However, just like most other businesses, the food company has its own share of challenges on its way to success. Tanbuntiong will be the conference’s closing keynote speaker on 11 August 2023, at the SMX Convention Center Manila. He will enlighten the audience in the 29th NRCE with his keynote speech titled “Rapid Expansion: Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Business Growth.” Drawing from his post as for the Philippines, country head Tanbuntiong will share strategies for managing rapid expansion including investing in technology and infrastructure, building a strong team and culture, and being agile and adaptable. His talk will expound on what it means for a company to experience a retail breakthrough, showcasing how Jollibee took a quantum leap, innovated, and proudly planted the Philippine flag with its global brand in different parts of the world. The 29th NRCE is made possible by these sponsors and partners: Relex Solutions, The SM Store (Diamond); ETP International PVT LTD, Wilcon Depot Inc., Anchanto, Globe Business, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, PLDT Enterprise, Ayala Malls (Platinum); Gateway Mall 2, Robinsons Malls (Gold); Security Bank, Bench, Bayer Philippines, SM Supermalls (Silver Sponsor); Retailgate Technologies (Official Technology Partner); The Philippine Star, The Manila Times (Official Newspapers); BusinessWorld (Official Media Partner); Wish 107.5 (Radio Partner); Union Bank of the Philippines, Entrego, Inewvation International Corp. (Sponsors) and its official PR partner Media Blitz Group. The post Retailers’ meet to banner Jollibee success story appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Monsters in Phl volleyball
Philippine volleyball is again in trouble. The country’s lone professional volleyball league — the Premier Volleyball League — is under fire after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation penalized it for staging a tournament “within the national team period without authorization.” Based on the calendar of the International Volleyball Federation, no commercial tournaments will be held around the world from 16 May to 15 October to give way to the national teams’ participation in various tournaments. The PVL, however, kicked off its Invitational Conference last week to run till 30 July with guest teams from Japan and Australia said to be joining to jack up the level of competition in the semifinals. The biggest casualty is the national squad that competed in the AVC Women’s Challenge Cup in Indonesia recently. With the core of the team that saw action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games like Alyssa Valdez, Kat Tolentino, Jia de Guzman, and Mylene Paat busy with their respective mother teams in the PVL, the PNVF had no choice but to send young and untested players to the prestigious continental tournament. Bannered by Faith Nisperos, Michelle Cobb, AC Miner, and Roma Doromal with Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Bang Pineda as the only veterans, the national squad had a forgettable seventh-place finish. This didn’t sit well with the PNVF. In a memorandum that Daily Tribune obtained last Thursday, the federation cracked the whip by barring PVL clubs from securing the International Transfer Certificates of foreign players in the reinforced conference. Sideliners see the penalty as a declaration of war by the PNVF leadership as it will prompt the PVL organizers to either alter their format or scrap the season-ending conference altogether. But more than that, the sanction will disrupt PVL operations, hurting the players, coaches, officials, utility, and other personnel who are banking on professional volleyball to make ends meet. But let us remember that the PVL is the federation’s last remaining ally. When the PNVF was formed at the height of the pandemic in 2021, the PVL rallied behind it while other leagues such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, University Athletic Association of the Philippines, and the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League refused to toe the line. The PVL had also been very cooperative and supportive of the national team program by deploying its players to major international tournaments. In fact, when the PNVF leadership threw a tantrum and fired National University players from the national squad, it was the PVL that cleaned up the mess by sending its players to the AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup that the country was set to host. During the buildup to the SEA Games, the PVL made the major sacrifice of halting its operations so its players could go to Japan for a 15-day training. Although it could have easily refused since the Osaka training was scheduled from 13 to 28 April, which was outside the national team window, the PVL still agreed to lend its players to help the federation regain a SEA Games medal. The PVL has also been very gracious, allowing national team head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito of Brazil to coach one of its marquee clubs, Akari, even though there are many local coaches available who can easily do the job. And now this? The PNVF is penalizing the PVL for something that could have been resolved with a mere phone call or a 30-minute meeting. You don’t do that to your partner, especially your most loyal — and last remaining — ally. What if — only what if — PVL team owners fire back and bar their stars from playing for the national team in the 19th Asian Games? Can the PNVF still form a competitive team? The monsters that have been terrorizing Philippine volleyball are again starting to appear. And, sad to say, they are destroying the relationship between the PVL and PNVF, greatly affecting the country’s chances to form a stronger, more competitive national team. Unless local officials slay the monsters — pride, greed, arrogance, and lust for power — Philippine volleyball will forever be a source of punchlines in the international arena. The post Monsters in Phl volleyball appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Eagles, Knights banner cast for June 28 WC simulation
Eight collegiate teams will slug it out in the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Invitational Games on June 28 with the event serving as simulation for the country’s hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Aug. 25 to Sept. 10......»»
F2 plucks La Salle, FEU players
F2 Logistics got its own share of fresh, talented recruits from the collegiate ranks as it plucked Jolina dela Cruz and Mars Alba of reigning UAAP champion La Salle and Jovelyn Fernandez of Far Eastern U to boost its stock in time for next month’s Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference......»»
Lyceum, Ateneo banner Philippine squads in Vietnam collegiate MLBB invitiational
Lyceum of the Philippines and Ateneo's LG Helios, who were Collegiate Center for Esports (CCE) Season 1 and CCE University Clash Invitational champions, respectively, will test their mettle against top college MLBB teams in the MPS SEA Campus Invitational Summer 2022 slated on October 7-9......»»
Global retail experts banner list of speakers at 27th NRCE
Foreign experts will impart fresh ideas that will help local retailers in their adjustment to the new normal, including the best ways to navigate through a post-pandemic global retail landscape, at the two-day 27th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo that will start today via virtual conference......»»
AcadArena partners with UCCL for Luzon Conference of collegiate esports circuit
AcadArena has partnered with United Collegiate Championship League (UCCL) as co-host the National Campus Open (NCO), AcadArena's open-entry collegiate circuit......»»
Youth Esports Program to Open 2nd Leg of NICL with DOTA 2
Following the successful opening run of the National Interschool Cyber League (NICL) featuring Riot Games’ first-person shooter game Valorant, leading esports organization Mineski Philippines launches NICL’s second run of regional qualifiers last December 28, 2020. Showcasing game developer Valve’s multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) PC game DOTA 2 this time, the next leg of NICL regional qualifiers is open to teams consisting of senior high school and college students aged 16-22. NICL is the banner program under Mineski Philippines’ Youth Esports Program (YEP), formed in partnership with the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) to support the grassroots development of esports amongst Filipino students and promote responsible gaming. “Over the years, gaming in the Philippines has evolved from its rep of casual hobby and is now being recognized worldwide as a legitimate sport. YEP, through NICL, strives to continuously redefine esports for students and schools and work with them to incorporate esports into their varsity programs,” shared YEP Program Director Marlon Marcelo. Marcelo added that through programs like NICL, YEP is providing students with a structured path towards a career in the ever-growing gaming industry. Proof of this is no other than Mineski Global CEO and Founder Ronald Robins, who made a name as a renowned professional DOTA player in early 200s, and went on to build Mineski, a chain of internet cafés that eventually evolved to be South East Asia’s biggest esports organization. “Competing in DOTA tournaments has opened a lot of doors for me, and I want to recreate that for today’s youth by providing more accessible and more structured programs like YEP and NICL. Suffice to say, the second leg of NICL is very close to my heart, and I am inviting all eligible students to participate,” said Robins. To register to the NICL DOTA 2 Leg, interested participants can head on to YEP’s Facebook page provided that they adhere to the following guidelines: All team members must be enrolled in SY 2020-21.No team members must have a failing grade.Only one member of the team can be from a different school. Registration closes on January 29, 2021. Top four teams from the regional qualifiers will move on to the regional finals, where the prize pool of Php30,000.00 is up for grabs. Regional finalists will then get a chance to win as much as Php150,000 in the grand finals. For more information about Mineski, YEP, and its other programs, visit www.mineskiglobal.com/ or message them on yep@mineski.net......»»
Kouame, Paras banner cadet-led Gilas Pilipinas pool for Asia Cup qualifiers
Announced by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Inc. on Friday, collegiate stars are set to represent flag and country with the professionals still in the PBA bubble in Clark City, Pampanga......»»
Cool Smashers officially introduce new libero Ponce
Not to be outdone by its sister-team, three-time Premier Volleyball League champion Creamline also made significant moves to beef up its roster. The Cool Smashers making sure they got all positions covered, formally introduced their latest addition in Adamson University libero Thang Ponce. Say hello to our newest ka-vibes that’s joining our #CreamlineCoolSmashers lineup! Let’s give a good vibes welcome to the former Lady Falcon, Thang Ponce! She’s a 2018 PVL Collegiate Conference Best Libero kaya she’s a strong addition to the team! #ArawArawGoodVibes pic.twitter.com/0ymKA6FDRp — Cool Smashers (@CoolSmashers) August 25, 2020 One of today’s talented liberos in the collegiate ranks, Ponce will give Creamline an extra piece to man the floor alongside starting defense specialist Kyla Atienza. The arrival of the 2018 PVL Collegiate Conference Best Libero also filled the spot left by veteran Mel Gohing, who transferred to Motolite. Creamline’s recruitment coup came on the heels of ChocoMucho’s aggressive signings of volleyball big names including Denden Lazaro, Ponggay Gaston and Deanna Wong to play alongside Ateneo Lady Eagles teammates Bea De Leon, Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino. With a seasoned lineup, the Cool Smashers remain to be the team to beat come the PVL’s fourth staging of the Open Conference, which is expected to begin as soon as the government gives its green light for competition to resume amid the health crisis. Already bannered by reigning Open Conference Most Valuable Player Jema Galanza, Alyssa Valdez, setter Jia Morado, Michele Gumabao and Risa Sato, Creamline added another weapon to its arsenal early this year after tapping the services of all-around player Ella De Jesus......»»
PBA: 'Perfect team' allowed Asi Taulava to dominate 2003 season
Asi Taulava is going strong heading into his 21st PBA season. The Ageless one is trying to become the first local player to play in the league for four separate decades. Taulava is one of the best players the PBA has ever seen and his banner year came in 2003 when Asi went full "The Rock" mode to dominate the league. In the 2003 season, Asi was the PBA's Most Valuable Player and was in the All-PBA 1st team and All-Defensive Team. In that year's All-Filipino, Taulava was the Best Player of the Conference and Finals MVP after leading the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals to their first championship. Even during one of the best single-season performances in the PBA, it was a "perfect team" that helped Asi stamp his class in 2003. "I had a perfect team," Taulava said on 2OT with PBA broadcasters Magoo Marjon and Carlo Pamintuan. "My first 3-4 years, remember at the time Mobiline just bought the franchise from Pepsi. The franchise was moving through cultures. The MVP group came in and now we started getting pieces," he added. As Talk 'N Text built its team, the Phone Pals ended up surrounding Asi with veterans like Vic Pablo, Bong Ravena, Mark Telan, Patrick Fran, and Donbel Belano. Talk 'N Text also added rookies Harvey Carey and Jimmy Alapag via Draft. "The big piece was bringing in Vic Pablo from Shell. Then Bong Ravena, Patrick Fran... then we added Jimmy Alapag and Harvey Carey. Bringing those guys in plugged those holes that we had," Taulava said. "We couldn't believe Jimmy fell to 10th in that Draft," Taulava added as Alapag became the final pick of the first round in the 2003 Draft. Carey was the fourth selection. Coached by Joel Banal, the Phone Pals beat Tim Cone's Alaska Aces after five grueling games in the semifinals. In the Finals, Talk 'N Text overcame a 0-2 deficit to tame Chot Reyes' Coca-Cola Tigers in six for the title. "Coke was really good at the time, they had Rudy [Hatfield], Johnny [Abarrientos], Rafi [Reavis], they had all these guys that knew how to win and at the time, they were in the semis majority of the time. That team was built to win," Taulava said. "We just happened to catch them [off guard]. I think they thought the series was over when we went down 0-2, they never thought we would fight back. Everything just happened. Lucky for us everything fell into place, because it could have easily been a 4-0 sweep," Asi added. — Follow this writer on Twitter, @paullintag8.....»»
TNT governor Vargas calls Baldwin’s apology a little bit insincere
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas is not buying the reason of Tab Baldwin for his controversial statements about the league. The TNT governor, speaking about the issue for the first time, said that he had accepted the apology of the embattled Ateneo de Manila University coach. “Nag-apologize si Tab eh. He apologized to me privately. I have accepted the apology,” said Vargas during the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday. But Vargas felt that it was a ‘bit insincere’ as Baldwin clarified that the statements he said during his appearance in the Coaches Unfiltered podcast last June 11 were taken out of context. “Ang impact sa akin nu’ng comment niya na ‘taken out of context’ after the apology he made was a little bit insincere,” said Vargas in the Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Go For Gold PH, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and powered by Smart. Baldwin, who is also the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas program director, drew flak from the league after his comments on local coaches’ tactical immaturity, calling the PBA single-import conference a big mistake and accused referees of giving imports an advantage in officiating. The American-Kiwi mentor clarified that he was just talking about his first impression of basketball in the country but was taken out of context. “It was sort of saying I apologize but I was taken out of context so it tended to push to blaming others,” said Vargas. Baldwin already apologized to the league after his comments drew a firestorm affecting the professional and collegiate ranks. Some agreeing with his commentaries while some took offense of his observations. “The consequence of that statement ‘taken out of context’ became more divisive,” Vargas said. Baldwin was slapped with a P75,000 fine and a three-game suspension by the league two weeks ago. TNT also last Thursday relieved Baldwin of his post as KaTropa’s consultant and assistant coach. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles .....»»
10 things that make Alyssa Valdez phenomenal
Alyssa Valdez has arguably made the biggest impact in Philippine volleyball. Her skills, passion and charisma endeared her to volleyball supporters, purists or casual fans, from all walks of life. She brings energy and leadership to every team that she’s joined. Valdez draws a huge crowd every time she plays. Valdez is the poster girl of the sport that for years struggled to draw mainstream attention in a nation which considers basketball as its biggest sporting event. The 27-year old pride of San Juan, Batangas is the face of local volleyball. So on her birthday today, let’s look at some of the things that makes the Phenom really phenomenal. Two-time UAAP women’s champion Valdez is Ateneo de Manila University’s undisputed Queen Eagle. Talks about the Lady Eagles’ breakthrough championship will not be complete without the mention of her name. After two years of bridesmaid finishes, Ateneo bagged its first-ever UAAP title in 2014 after beating the thrice-to-beat De La Salle University in four games in the Finals despite leading a young band of Lady Eagles playing under the new system of Thai coach Tai Bundit. The following year, Ateneo, with Valdez at the helm, retained its crown in a tournament-sweeping fashion. Three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Her skills during her collegiate career stood out among her peers. Valdez’s effort was rewarded with three Most Valuable Player awards in Season 76, Season 77 and in her last playing year in Season 78 in 2016. She also pocketed the Season 76 Finals MVP award. Young phenom Valdez didn’t build her reputation overnight. It was her hard work and effort that brought her where she is right now. She was still a diamond in the rough when she was recruited by University of Sto. Tomas in a regional meet. But the Espana-based squad polished Valdez into a real gem of a player. Valdez, backed by a powerful lineup that featured the likes of Kim Fajardo and Jaja Santiago, won three straight UAAP girls’ titles and in the process collected three season MVPs. She was also named UAAP high school athlete of the year twice. National team mainstay With her talents, dedication and good work ethics, Valdez has been a mainstay with the national team. Her first tour of duty was in 2008 when she represented the country in the Asian Youth Championship held in Pasig City. She joined the PHI Team in the 2014 FIVB Southeast Asian Zone qualifier in Vietnam. In 2015, she donned the tricolors for the Asian U-23 Championship and on the same year saw action in the country’s return in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore after a decade of absence. Since then Valdez participated in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur and 2019 Manila SEA Games. She also took part in the 2017 Asian Senior Women’s Championship and the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. 2015 SEA Games flagbearer Valdez also carries the honor as being the first-ever volleyball player to become the PHI flag-bearer in the SEA Games. She marched holding the national color in front of Team Philippines during the traditional parade of nations inside the OCBC Arena in the 2015 Singapore SEA Games. Accomplished commercial league star She has been collecting commercial league titles since high school starting from the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League. Valdez was also successful in the different conferences of the defunct V-League, racking up championships and individual accolades. In the Premier Volleyball League, she powered Creamline to three titles including a sweep of the Season 2 Reinforced and Open Conferences in 2018. She won three conference MVP awards. Import abroad International leagues took notice of Valdez’s talents and charm so it’s not surprising that she landed offers to play abroad. Valdez played as an import in Thailand for 3BB Nakornnont from 2016 to 2017. After her stint in Thailand, Valdez flew to Taiwan to play for Attack Line. Host, Actress, TV personality Valdez is a regular fixture in different sports shows in ABS-CBN S+A. She’s a host, courtside reporter and a game analyst. Valdez also had a few showbiz stints. She appeared in some Kapamilya teleserye including a cameo in ‘And I Love You So’ in 2016 alongside Julia Barretto and Miles Ocampo and in the movie ‘My Letters to Happy’ with by TJ Trinidad and Glaiza De Castro. Aside from her TV and movie career, Valdez is also one of the most recognizable athlete product endorsers. Social media influencer She is also one of the most popular Filipino athlete on social media. As of posting, Valdez has 1.9 million Twitter followers, 1.3 million followers on Instagram and her YouTube channel has more than 76,000 subscribers. Featured in the Olympics Channel website While the likes of Sisi Rondina, Jaja Santiago and Bryan Bagunas were featured in the FIVB website, Valdez’s impact on Philippine Volleyball was highlighted in a feature article in no less than the Olympic Channel website. The article touched about her humble beginnings to her meteoric rise and why she is regarded as the nation’s brightest star in the sport. These are just some of the things take make Valdez a true pride of our nation in the sport Happy birthday, Alyssa!.....»»
San-En NeoPhoenix big boss calls Thirdy Ravena the Philippines best player
Thirdy Ravena has already made history as the first-ever Asian import signed on to play in Japan's B.League. The three-time Finals MVP with Ateneo de Manila University is all set to suit up for San-En NeoPhoenix for the league's 2020 season. He is the first player to be joining the Japanese league by way of the "Asian Player Quotas" instituted in November of last year. The rule aims to open doors for more and more non-Japanese Asian players to join the B.League to "enhance competition in daily games… and expand business in the Asian market." And the reason for that is quite simple. "Thirdy is the best player in his country. Signing him is big for us," Phoenix Co., Ltd. President Kenjiro Hongo said in his native tongue during an online press conference formally introducing San-En's newest player on Friday. Ravena will be heading to Japan after a collegiate career that was capped off with a three-peat. Right after that, he was named into the Gilas Pilipinas pool. Now, the 6-foot-3 swingman will be looked at to help out a NeoPhoenix side that only had five wins to show in 41 games last year. "He can play shooting guard. He can play small forward. He will be a key player for us this season," Hongo said. Even more, the Japanese bigwigs have full faith that as good as Ravena already is, he can only be better - and bring them along with him. As Phoenix Co., Ltd. General Manager Seiichiro Kage put it, "He's a young player and his ability is really great. There is no limit to what he can do." --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @riegogogo......»»
Kat Tolentino: How she ended up as a Lady Eagle
Suffering an injury is a dreadful experience for any athlete. What more if it’s a career-threatening one? Kat Tolentino went through three harrowing knee injuries in a span of three years – two of those she suffered while in Canada. But those misfortunes played a big role in convincing Tolentino to fly to the Philippines and eventually become one of the most recognized names in collegiate volleyball. The Ateneo de Manila University volleyball star in an interview on So She Did podcast shared how she ended up in the Lady Eagles' nest. “It was actually a long story but basically, when I was in Grade 11, my brother was out there in the Philippines already, he was playing basketball for Ateneo and I was just visiting him for vacation,” said Kat, sister of former Blue Eagle Vince. The Ateneo volleyball management that time already knew who the 6-foot-2 spiker was and she was invited to train with the then Roger Gorayeb-mentored Lady Eagles. “I actually don’t even have the shoes at that time or any like knee pads,” she recalled. “So I have to borrow from my cousin and then I borrowed knee pads from the men’s team.” She played with the team but it didn’t convince her to follow the footsteps of her brother, living alone in a tropical country that is thousand of miles away from home. “For me I was in Grade 11 at that time and I didn’t really think like, ‘Oh I want to go to the Philippines’. In fact, I was kind of confused why my brother moved there,” said Tolentino, who is currently back in Canada after the cancellation of the UAAP Season 82 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “I think, it’s just crazy because at that time, I was getting mad at my mom because I was like, ‘Why are you making me move to the Philippines?’ I was only like Grade 11,” she added. Tolentino that time wasn’t ready to get out of her comfort zone. Naturally, she chose to stay in the Great White North. Tolentino was in University of Canada when she suffered her second left anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2014, a year after her first. “I went to University in Canada for one year and I don’t know if you know that I had three ACL injuries. So the second ACL injury, I was in University in Canada but I just decided after I got the second one in Canada, I needed change and I wanted to experience something different,” she said. Tolentino thought a new environment might change her fortune. Luckily, the Lady Eagles’ door remained open. “Ateneo contacted me when they heard I got injured again,” she said. “They said that they’re still willing to help me and wanted to help me with my rehab and therapy and they had a very good surgeon. So yeah, they just called up and I ended up there.” The hype was high for the Fil-Canadian when she finally got the chance to don the blue and white when the then two-time UAAP champion Ateneo joined the now defunct Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference in July 2015. But the injury bug followed her to the Philippines and once again bit Tolentino hard. The hitter suffered a right ACL injury while warming up and had to undergo another operation and months of rehabilitation. She was forced to miss UAAP Season 78 and watched helplessly from the sidelines as archrival De La Salle University dethroned the Lady Eagles. After months of therapy, Tolentino finally made her official debut in the UAAP in Season 79 in 2017 – a victorious welcome over University of Sto. Tomas. Ateneo fell short in the Finals that year. The following season, the Lady Eagles missed the championship entirely for the first time in six years. In Season 81, Tolentino helped Ateneo capture its third title. She announced after winning the crown that she’s leaving the team but decided to make a return for a swan song this year. Unfortunately, the league cancelled the tournament after just four playdates. Asked if she’ll be back for another tour of duty if given the chance, Tolentino admitted that she’s still thinking about it. “I think for me it’s not something I can decide now,” she said. “I would be thankful if they would allow me to go back but I can’t say anything right now.” Looking back, Tolentino would like to think that her second ACL injury brought her to Ateneo. It wasn’t the best of situation to be in to make a life-changing decision but it in the end it turned out just fine. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
Dawn Macandili: It All Started With a Flying Shoe
Libero Dawn Macandili had to start somewhere before becoming Miss Everywhere. Her first venture into volleyball – the start of her successful journey – is as memorable as the pair of shoes she was wearing that day. Coming from a sports-loving family, it’s all but natural for the former De La Salle University star to be into sports. Her father played hoops for Jose Rizal University for a while but had to give it up as he was already juggling his studies and work. Macandili's paternal grandmother was a slugger on a softball team and her brother played basketball before shifting to tennis. Her eldest sister played volleyball and then became a team captain of a cheering squad in college while her other sister fell in love with tennis. She ended up choosing volleyball as her sport. “I started playing (volleyball) in the middle of fifth grade,” said Macandili, who recalled that she was around 11-years-old then when she joined the De La Salle University-Lipa team. The national team standout shared a humorous anecdote about her official volleyball game debut. Back then she was a spiker. “My first-ever official volleyball game was back when I was in Grade 5 and I was playing in Skechers with Velcro straps,” she said. “In the middle of the game while I was running for the ball, one of my shoes came off,” Macandili continued. “That was the most memorable first game ever.” From there Macandili never looked back. Transferring to De La Salle-Zobel, Macandili was given a new role under Ramil De Jesus, who was also the coach La Salle's high school team. “At first, I was a spiker for DLS-L’s grade school team because my teammates were almost the same height as me. When I moved up to the high school team I played libero as my height wouldn't suffice (as a spiker) anymore,” she said. “Our coach in the high school team was coach Ramil de Jesus. I, being a Lasallian at heart, could not imagine studying anywhere else but in DLSU,” Macandili added. “Another big factor was that coach Ramil is a great mentor and has produced elite players. I thought that if I was going to play in college. I was gonna play for him.” She won three high school UAAP titles from Season 73 to 75. Macandili was also a member of the team that won gold in the 2010 and 2012 Guam Youth Games and helped NCR win the Palarong Pambansa 2013 gold medal where she was also named Best Libero. Naturally, she moved up to play for the Lady Spikers in college. Her first two years weren’t as successful as she wished it to be after DLSU lost to Ateneo in the UAAP Finals in Season 76 and 77. The Lady Spikers got their payback in Season 78 and won two more titles as Macandili closed her collegiate career a champion. In that three-year reign, Macandili bagged two Best Receiver awards, Best Digger honors and the Season 80 Finals Most Valuable Player award. She brought her success to the Philippine Superliga, winning numerous titles and individual accolades, including the 2016 All Filipino Conference MVP. Macandili joined the national team in 2017 and saw action in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games, 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia and in the Manila SEA Games last December 2019. Macandili was also recognized as 2nd Best Libero in the 2017 AVC Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship held in Binan, Laguna. Looking back, Macandili can’t help but be grateful on that first volleyball game of hers. After all, the shoe that flew off somewhere brought her to where she is now. That gem of a memorable moment never fails to put a smile on her face. --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles.....»»
Hoffman boosts bid for Paris Paris
Olympics hopeful Lauren Hoffman yesterday set a new national record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with a gold medal performance in the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida......»»
Creamline still team to beat
Creamline’s dramatic, come-from-behind 26-28, 22-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14 win over Cignal Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena showed that it’s still the superpower in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.....»»
Catch-up Fridays eased for teachers
JENIELITO "Dodong" Atillo, spokesperson of the Department of Education (DepEd-Davao), clarified during the AFP-PNP press conference held on Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, that the implementation of “Catch-up Fridays” has been streamlined to alleviate any perceived burden on teachers......»»