Lady Eagles vs NU

NU has always been the team you SHOULD beat. I remember way back in college, aside from a must win against La Salle because of tradition, it was also don’t lose to NU because it was embarrassing. These days with the entry of the Sy’s into the picture, the NU stereotype is well gone. The Bulldogs are tied at 2-2 with Ateneo and UST, and the Bullpups are 4-0 (the most wins I’ve seen them have since the Batac brothers almost beat Ateneo in the F4), tied with the Eaglets at 1st. The Lady Bulldogs, may still not be a title contender, but they have vastly improved.

I arrived a few minutes late to the game (it was at 8 in the morning on a Sunday!), expecting to see the Lady Eagles bring it to NU. I was so surprised to see a very close game between the two bottom tiered teams. Through three quarters it was a nip and tuck affair as both teams exchanged leads. In close games such as these, it usually boils down to when the barker calls out the last two minutes. And those last two minutes may be logged into Lady Eagle history.

With 1:58 to go, NU was comfortably leading by 7, 58-51. All seemed lost as the Lady Eagle offense and defense weren’t giving them the points and stops that they needed. Everything went to Ateneo’s favor when a foul was committed on Sarah Mercado. A scuffle between Mercado and an NU player occurred. I really didn’t see what happened but the teams almost came to blows, but the referees were able to control the situation. Aside from the infraction, a disqualifying foul was called against an NU player. This gave Sarah 4 free throws, 3 of which she made. So with practically time unmoved, the score was 58-54, NU still leading. A quick play ensued with Jen Dimaano being left open at the center of the arch for a big 3, NU 58-ADMU 57 with maybe 1:40 left.

Sarah Mercado scored 5 points in the last 2 minutes to give the Lady Eagles the win over NU, 61-58
(Lady Eagles vs NU - Philsports Arena, July 25, 2010)

NU sued for time to set their play. A quick two would have doused the Lady Eagle confidence at this point, but the defense held and finally clicked. Of a turn over, Sarah found herself alone running down court, a quick pass, a layup, a basket plus a foul, Ateneo up 59-58. She may have missed her free throw, but that was all it took to break the Lady Bulldog’s confidence. A series of errors and fouls prevented NU from coming back. Dimaano sank 2 of her final four free throws to ice the game at 61-58 in favor of Ateneo. NU still had a chance, but Ateneo’s rejuvenated defense prevented any three pointers from going it.

Jen Dimaano's three pointer and clutch free throws in the end game was a major factor in the comeback by the Lady Eagles.
(Lady Eagles vs NU - Philsports Arena, July 25, 2010)

This may have been a battle between bottom tiered teams, but how it was played was amazing. Both teams showed the heart and the will to win. One would think that the Lady Eagles have a slim or no chance of making the final four with perennial powerhouses like FEU, UST and Adamson. But I believe that under the new coaching staff, with new players like Jen Dimaano and veterans like Sarah Mercado, and the heart and passion they showed for the game, they would never go down without a fight and they may just surprise us all.

One Big Fight Ladies! One big fight!

*Aside from Ateneo, the teams I root for in the UAAP are UP and NU. UP maybe because of the Katipunan connection (I love Rodics! Haha!) and NU because who doesn’t love the underdog (or underbulldog)?

For more of the Lady Eagles as well as other Ateneo sports photos, go to www.fabilioh.com.

You may also view my facebook for more of their photos.

It's not all about Men's Basketball: The Season 73 Lady Eagles

I've been following the Ateneo Lady Eagles ever since I started shooting for Ateneo way back in 2005. In fact, their game vs UST was the first ever game I shot and what really got me interested in shooting sports. The Lady Eagles of today are very different from the champion team that won under mentor John Flores and the leadership of Casey Tioseco, AJ Baracoso, Che Ngo and Kat Quimpo. The only holdovers of that team are Sarah Mercado and Mariana Lopa, who are the current queen eagles of the team. This team may have a new coaching staff and new players, but they have what every Lady Eagle team has had since the team's conception, heart.

Sarah Mercado scores on a short jumper.

(Lady Eagles vs FEU - Philsports Arena, July 18, 2010)

The new coaching staff led by former Blue Eagles Epok Quimpo and Yuri Escueta, Blue Eaglets assistant coach Joe Silva and former Lady Eagle Kat Quimpo.
(Lady Eagles vs NU - Philsports Arena, July 25, 2010)

Mariana Lopa sets the play.
(Lady Eagles vs FEU - Philsports Arena, July 18, 2010)

For more of the Lady Eagles as well as other Ateneo sports photos, go to www.fabilioh.com.

You may also view my facebook for more of their photos.

Ateneo Blue Eaglets vs Adamson Baby Falcons

The Eaglets won convincingly over the Baby Falcons today 78-61. The score however was very different in the early part of the contest. Adamson even tied the score and even lead a couple of times during the first half. At half time Ateneo was on top by only 5 points.

The designated scorer of Ateneo, Kiefer Ravena, seemed to be out of sync today. He missed free throws, lay ups and threw a couple of errant passes. It seemed that Kiefer was limping at certain points of the contest. During one time out, he had to have his ankle re-bandaged by the team's PT. In the final minutes, Coach Jamike decided to pull him out and sent him to the dugout to have his ankle checked.

Despite a sub-par game by his standards, Kiefer was still able to score in double digits.
(Blue Eaglets vs AdU - Filoil Arena, July 24, 2010)

It was a good thing that Von Pessumal showed up to play today. He scored 23 points to lead the Eaglets turn the close match into a blow-out. Defense still played a major part in the Eaglets' game, and the team, despite having 10 new players, showed that they can play defense and adjust to Coach Jamike's brand of play. They forced Adamson to commit a string of errors that the Eaglets easily converted into points.

Von Pessumal played a great all around game, and led the Eaglets to their 4th win in as many matches.
(Blue Eaglets vs AdU - Filoil Arena, July 24, 2010)

The Eaglets play the NU Bull Pups this Tuesday. Let's hope the Kiefer will be 100% by then, as this won't be a walk in the park as NU beat a strong UST team just last week.

One Big Fight!

For more of the Blue Eaglets as well as other Ateneo sports photos, go to www.fabilioh.com.

You may also view my facebook for more of their photos.

2009 Photowalk

Every year on November 1st, my friends and I go on a photowalk. Here are some choice shots from our 2009 trip.

2 men and a pedicab.
One man stares blankly as if contemplating his future.
The other finds a way to rest comfortably inside the cab.
(Quiapo, November 1, 2009)

Tour de Quiapo.
A man and his three children find a simple but fun way to get around the Quiapo area.
(Quiapo, November 1, 2009)

Three stars and a sun.
Philippine flags in a row at the Rizal Monument. We have such a beautiful flag, don't you think?
(Rizal Monument, November 1, 2009)

You can view my other photos from that trip in my facebook page.

The Three Kings of the Season 73 Blue Eaglets

In 2006, the Ateneo Blue Eagles had their 3 kings - Macky Escalona, Doug Kramer and JC Intal. As I watch the current Blue Eaglets, I couldn't help but think that they have their own version, albeit earlier in their basketball careers, of the 3 kings...

Kiefer Ravena. Easily the crowd favorite.
A coach's dream player, an opponent's nightmare.
Fun to watch, hard to shoot.
(Blue Eaglets vs UST - Filoil Arena, July 13, 2010)

Paolo Romero. A dependable big man.

A basic player who delivers.
(Blue Eaglets vs UE - Filoil Arena, July 17, 2010)

Von Pessumal. My favorite player.

Think Wesley Gonzales without the attitude (sorry Wes).
A great person, on and off the court
(Blue Eaglets vs UE - Filoil Arena, July 17, 2010)

For more of the 3 Kings and the Ateneo Blue Eaglets as well as other Ateneo sports photos, go to www.fabilioh.com.

You may also view my facebook for more of their photos.

MVP Olympics 2010

Took these photos of the first ever MVP Olympics way back March. Obviously I work for PLDT, who by the way won the overall championship.

This PLDT employee may be a "veteran", but
he sure did teach the younger ones a thing or two.
(1st MVP Olympics - Meralco Compound, March 26-28, 2010)

A shot of the PLDT Ladies Volleyball team with their coach.
I don't recall how they fared in the competition, but they did put up a good fight!
(1st MVP Olympics - Meralco Compound, March 26-28, 2010)

A snap shot of the younger employees cheering on their "kuya's" in the Men's Basketball Team.
(1st MVP Olympics - Meralco Compound, March 26-28, 2010)