F inally after weeks of preparation, both high school and college Josephians once

again gathered for the holy mass at the grotto, grand parade around the town cen-

ter, and opening program on a rainy Monday morning at the school grounds for the si-

multaneous intramural meet, Sept. 5–9.

Theme: „Shine as light in the world‟

SJCSI 2011 Intra MSJCSI 2011 Intra MSJCSI 2011 Intra Meeteeteet kicks offkicks offkicks off

Sindangan puts up

DepEd reg’l sports fest

Seahawks soar over Crimson

S indangan National Agricultural School and Sindan-

gan Pilot Demonstration School hosted the 2011 De-

partment of Education Regional Sports Festival for

Teachers and Employees, July 29–31.

Around 600 participants

from the nine divisions of Region

IX–Zamboanga Peninsula partici-

pated.

DepEd officials from the

regional office graced the opening

ceremony at SNAS gym.

The participants, mostly

physical education (MAPEH)

teachers, competed in badminton,

basketball, chess, table tennis,

lawn tennis, darts, and volleyball.

All seven sports events

were held at the SNAS grounds.

Each delegation came with

their technical and officiating offi-

cials and tournament managers.

The athletes came from

the divisions of Dapitan City, Di-

polog City, Isabela City, Pagadian

City, Regional Office, Zamboanga

City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zam-

boanga del Sur, and Zamboanga

del Norte. (Amy K. J. Andus)

SEA Games

on 11/11/11

The XXVI South East

Asian Games 2011 will be held in

Palembang and Jakarta, Indonesia.

The SEA Games Organiz-

ing Committee ensures to make

the Indonesia SEA Games memo-

rable by choosing to hold the

opening ceremonies on Nov. 11,

2011, or 11/11/11 and the closing

ceremonies on Nov. 22.

The biennial sports festival

will take place in Jaka Baring

Sports Complex, Palembang; and

in Jakarta at the Bung Karno Main

Stadium, the largest and oldest

stadium in the country.

Both ceremonies will be

held in venues along the banks of

the Musi River and the historic

Kuto Besak Fort.

Athletes from Brunei Da-

russalam, Cambodia, Indonesia,

Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the

Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,

Timor-Leste, Vietnam will com-

pete in 44 measured, games, mar-

tial arts, and concentration sports.

Among the uniquely SEA

Game events are futsal, vovinam,

kempo, and pencak silat.

Indonesia hosted the X

SEA Games 1979, XV SEA

Games 1987, and XIX SEA

Games 1997.

(William A. G. Bulaqueña)

G old medals, 542.

Sports, 44. Coun-

tries, 11. Venues, 2.

The Rev. Nathaniele A.

Denlaoso, chaplain, together with

the Rev. Randy B. Tic-ing, offici-

ated the special mass.

It was followed by the pa-

rade of the different year levels

and college departments with their

respective muses and the candi-

dates for Mr. and Miss Intra Meet.

During the opening pro-

gram, the Saint Joseph College of

Sindangan–High School band

presented a Drumline exhibition

despite the rain.

Michael E. Tan, president

of the college Supreme Student

Council, gave the welcome mes-

sage.

―This week-long activity

gives us the opportunity to show

the talents that each one of us has

as a true Josephian. We are going

to shine not because we will win,

but because we exhibit fair com-

petition,‖ Tan said.

Jerome R. Siso of II-St.

Elizabeth, a regional level tennis

player, lit the friendship torch,

carried it around the field, and

brought it back to the grotto.

After which the Rev.

Denlaoso formally declared the

2011 Intramural Meet open.

The hoisting of delegation

banners followed. For the high

school, the seniors raised their

banner ahead of the sophomores,

juniors, and freshmen.

For the college teams, the

College of Business Administra-

tion hoisted their banner the fast-

est, beating the College of Ac-

counting Technology–Information

Technology and the College of

Arts and Sciences–Education.

Reymund Danielle U. Ju-

galbot, president of the high

school Supreme Student Council,

led the oath of sportsmanship.

Jerome E. Ochavo, MAEd,

overall in-charge of this year’s

intramural meet and literary–

musical contests, gave the closing

remarks.

Soduko and Rubik’s Cube

as well as the first elimination

round in basketball (men) be-

tween the freshmen and seniors

immediately began.

(William A. G. Bulaqueña)

Barking dogs...

20/20 Vision

C2

C3

Friendship torch. Jerome R. Siso carries the torch around the school grounds after lighting the symbolic flame

during the intra meet opening ceremony. W hat better way to pump up the competitive spirit

of Josephians for the next five days of games and

sports than to root for the college basketball varsity team

win in an exhibition game in their home turf?

Blue volley belles

toss yellow, green

Exhibition game. The SJCS Seahawks beat the WMSU Fighting Crimson,

79-76, in a friendly match during the intra meet opening day, Sept 5.

Under the scorching sun,

the junior women’s volleyball

team easily smashed the sopho-

mores to add five gold medals to

their lagging tally that Thursday

morning, Sept 8.

The first set was already

intense as both teams showed

their skills in overhand digs and

jousts. The blue team led early

with 15–8.

Shiela C. Tormis, the cap-

tain ball of the juniors, gave the

shots for them to lead the first set

after gaining straight points.

Sweet Jane A. Fat, the

sophomore captain ball, threw

sharp serves but to no avail.

Mae Jean E. Ducoy

showed agility to dig and recover,

but Irish B. Niñofranco received

them well.

However, the juniors were

unstoppable with Shiny Love E.

Esic’s strong jump serves to close

the first set, 25–21, to their favor.

Losing the previous set, the

sophies struggled to clinch their

rivals. They could not direct the

ball back to the juniors who had a

much tighter defense. Neither

could they prevent the ball from

being grounded in their court.

Throughout the second set,

the blue team served their aces

and solid smashes to tear into the

yellow team.

The game ended with the

juniors hitting 25—to the delight

of their screaming supporters—

while the sophies got stuck at 10.

In the elimination rounds,

the juniors beat the freshmen, 25–

18, 25–17; and the seniors versus

the freshmen: 25–13, 25–8.

(Bill E. Dagondong)

The cagers from Western

Mindanao State University, Zam-

boanga City, blasted off with the

first shot by Dixon Punzalan.

Their tight defense pre-

vented the Seahawks from scoring

to consequently hold on to their 4-

point lead by the end of the first

quarter.

Three-point shots stormed

the second quarter as point guard

Punzalan and forward Jefferson

Abalo showed their shooting

skills that still kept WMSU in the

lead.

However, the Seahawks

managed to stop the Crimsons’

drive and penetration with their

sudden change in defensive tac-

tics—from whole-court

trap to half-court trap

man-to-man.

―Because of the

tough press breaker of WMSU,

the whole court trap did not work.

After the 8–0 blast

of easy game, we

were forced to change

our defense,‖ coach William

Calvo said.

The second half started

with great exchanges of incur-

sions and shot selections.

In the third quarter, Sea-

hawks broke WMSU’s 2–3 zone

defense and tied at 42–42.

Four minutes and 42 sec-

onds of the third quarter, Sea-

hawks guard Edmar Salac did a

fast break and a lay up through a

clear basket, and brought Sea-

hawks into a 2-point lead.

This was followed by

captain Wayne Jalosjos’ follow-

up shot that never gave their op-

ponent a chance to respond.

The crowd of students and

outsiders boomed as winger

Reynante Devila’s 3-point shots

rained the court.

The Seahawks’ half-court

man-to-man and press breaker to

WMSU’s zone defense proved

effective when third quarter ended

with a 17-point lead in favor of

the Seahawks. SeahawksC2

MatchPoint

This Sporting Life

Sports Bureau Director: Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot

June–September 2011

El Obrero “Writing is prayer.”

Section C

A tale of six cities T he winning city will have the best of times; and the

losing bidders, the worst of times.

Time-out

Checkmate

Joelan M. Tongco tongco.joelan@yahoo.com

Kevin G. Siasico siasico_kevin@yahoo.com

20/20 Vision

Reymund D. U. Jugalbot reymund.jugalbot@ovi.com

A tribute to the referees

All the right moves

C hess has been called

by some as ―the high-

est plane of human pleas-

ure;‖ and by others, ―an

admirable effort of the hu-

man mind.‖ No doubt it

has been a truly fulfilling

pastime for people of all

ages—a far cry from the

religious leaders’ condem-

nation of the game in the

past as a sinful diversion.

The Philippines is the first country to officially endorse the inclu-

sion of chess in the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Jose ―Peping‖ Cojuangco, president of the Philippine Olympic

Committee, supported Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the president of the World

Chess Federation (FIDE), who visited Manila to gain more support from

members countries.

However, FIDE has for the past 10 years lobbied incessantly to get

chess into the winter Olympic Games, not into the already diverse sum-

mer program, but without success.

The decision on which sporting events to be included in the Olym-

pic Games lies solely in the hands of the International Olympic Commit-

tee. While some events easily get the nod from the committee, others

leave the public baffled.

Take for example table tennis. It is an Olympic event but golf is

not. Other sports that are considered ―major events‖ such as baseball and

softball have not been considered worthy of the IOC approval. And so is

chess despite being a legitimate sport played internationally.

As of late, Ilyumzhinov has offered to carry out chess demonstra-

tion games during the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He considers

that the presentation of chess at the 2014 Games will help engage this

sport in the program of winter Olympic Games.

Winter Olympic Games are strictly those played on ice or snow.

For chess to be entered in the winter games program, it is necessary to

add a phrase ―intellectual games,‖ according to the FIDE head. Another

variant is to use ice chess or plastic chess pieces with ice inside.

The Philippines has several world-class chess players who can

give the country a medal should the sport become an official sporting

event in the Olympics.

In fact, the Philippines finished a strong second in the men’s chess

division in the recent Asian Games, second only to China.

The inclusion of chess in the future Olympic Games will give our

chess grandmasters Wesley So and Mark Paragua the opportunity to com-

pete in the winter games. The Philippines last sent a delegation to the

quadrennial event in 1994.

Like the medieval Arabs who carried the game with them to the

western world and popularized it, the Filipinos’ participation in chess in

future Olympics will surely provide a chance for us to win a medal and re

-awaken the Filipinos’ interest in chess and sense of patriotism.

I n any sporting event, the famous teams, the wild

crowd, and star players are all we can notice. But how

about the person who calls the foul? Who truly watches

the game closely with his naked eyes? Can we notice him

at all?

That is the referee. By the

way, a referee is a person of au-

thority who is responsible for pre-

siding over the game from a neu-

tral point of view and makes on

the fly decisions that enforce the

rules of the sport. Technically,

any match cannot be called a

game without a referee. This kind

of job is not as easy as we think

because a referee does not only

know the rules and mechanics but

also has a positive attitude to-

wards the players of that particu-

lar game.

A referee is sometimes

called an umpire, a judge, an arbi-

ter, a linesman, a commissar, a

timekeeper, or a touch judge. The

title depends on the game or sport

being played.

In basketball, football,

soccer, and other big sport games,

a referee also runs like the play-

ers. He must be close to the ac-

tion in order to have a clear view

of the goings-on. Sometimes he is

even hit by the ball, but that is

part of being a referee. He risks

himself in order to make a good

call.

Seldom does a referee’s

decision make a player mad at

him. Poor one, fortunately, a refe-

ree can call or give a technical

foul or red card for that player

anytime once he executes an un-

pleasant deed within the game.

We cannot imagine what a referee

would look like if he were beaten

by the players for just a simple

call they did not like.

But a referee is not perfect.

He cannot see every move of the

players in the field. His sight is

limited, and he calls decisions

based on what he sees.

In spite of the risk, he faces

the consequences of his decisions

as he strives to make the game as

clean as possible.

Some referees are old al-

ready, but we cannot force them

to retire because the game may be

their passion or career. Admit-

tedly, most of them are not regular

salaried employees but dependent

on per-game-basis take-home pay.

The real priceless income

from refereeing a game is the ac-

knowledgment and appreciation

from the players and the crowd.

Let us all put our hands

together for them for doing such

an honorable job, and may the

virtues of honesty and good atti-

tude be with them. They are the

real playmakers not only in a

game but also in real life.

Mens sana in corpore sano

T he human body is a perfect creation. With its dif-

ferent parts, we can do different things simulta-

neously or multi-task and be capable of doing physical

activities. With a perfectly fit body, we can draw at-

tention from people around us. But a fit body alone

cannot surpass an activity that requires both physical

and mental abilities. Briefly, nobody wins a game with

the mind flying and the fit body trying its hardest. It is our responsibility to

preserve and protect our body from

anything or any condition that dete-

riorates health. A healthy diet and lifestyle can contribute greatly to a

sound health of an individual. Good nutrition, rest, and sleep in ade-

quate proportions, a balance between one’s work and environment as

well as surroundings are all the essentials of a fit and healthy body.

Likewise, one can add shine to one’s body by practising yoga or

meditation.

We can see how our body becomes healthy, how it reshapes

into a desired form, but still this body needs something that makes it a

sound one—a sound mind. A sound mind is free of all mental wor-

ries and tensions, stays cool, understands the reality, and thus main-

tains equilibrium with its environment.

Ideally, it is really difficult to have a sound mind. Perhaps

rarely one would find a sound mind because a normal person can

have mild stresses and worries of daily life, but we cannot consider

these factors as unhealthy. However, a sound mind is a kind of mind

that can withstand the stresses, has coping skills, has defense mecha-

nisms, and has an ability to overcome the troubles of everyday situa-

tions.

The World Health Organization defines health as ―a state of

complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the

absence of disease or infirmity.‖ So having a sound body also re-

quires a sound mind. We cannot do things with just our body alone.

We should also consider great thinking and concentration to avoid

errors in judgment.

Just remember that a sound mind plus a sound body is equal to

victory in every aspect of life.

Editorial

Sports Opinion C2 El Obrero MatchPoint│June–September 2011

In the final quarter,

WMSU’s center Jaypee Padua

dominated the under basket, but

the menacing Seahawks were un-

controllable.

WMSU Fighting Crim-

son’s 2-point shots were answered

by Jalosjos and Devila’s 3-point

shots.

The friendly game ended

with the Seahawks’ home court

victory, 79–76.

(Marc Caen C. Aricheta)

Seahawks . . . From C1

Sports and Politics Meldrid B. Baculpo

El Obrero MatchPoint ▪ Sports Bureau

Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot

Director

Writers and Contributors: Marc Caen C. Aricheta •

Tanya Grace Anne A. Benitez • William Andrew G. Bulaqueña •

Julius Zeth N. Calumpang • Bill E. Dagondong • Judee B. Garsuta •

Ma. Joeresa P. Jamora • Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario •

Mary Grace J. Parilla • Kevin G. Siasico • Joelan M. Tongco Correspondent: Amy Kosela J. Andus (SJCSI The Staff)

Artist/Cartoonist: Meldrid B. Baculpo

Photojournalists: Reginald Clement S. Pondoc • Kevin G. Siasico

Visit our Facebook fan page for the 2011 Intra Meet coverage.

The International Olympic

Committee has begun the selec-

tion process for the host city of

the 2020 Summer Olympics.

As a major international

sports and cultural festival, it will

be celebrated in the tradition of

the Olympic Games. The host

city will be elected in Buenos

Aires, Argentina, during the 125th

IOC Session on Sept. 13, 2013.

The following cities were

formally nominated by their re-

spective National Olympic Com-

mittee to host the 2020 Games:

Baku, Azerbaijan, an-

nounced on Sept. 1 that it submit-

ted its bid. It has already hosted

several sporting events.

Doha, Qatar, announced

in August that it was bidding, too.

Qatar was granted by the IOC to

host the games in October due to

extremely hot weather in summer.

If Qatar wins, this will be the first

time for the games in the Middle

East.

Istanbul, Turkey, was

nominated in July and confirmed

by the Turkish government.

Among the bidding countries,

Turkey has yet to host an Olym-

pics.

Madrid, Spain, was con-

firmed by the Spanish government

only in July. Spain hosted the

games in Barcelona last 1992.

Rome, Italy, was chosen

instead of Venice as the candidate

for Italy’s bid. Rome already

hosted the games in 1960. Rarely

did it happen in the past that the

same city would host the games

twice.

Tokyo, Japan, also ex-

pressed interest and confirmed its

bid in July despite the earthquake

and tsunami that devastated

much of eastern Japan.

On the other hand, one of

the rings of the Olympic logo

represents Africa. The modern

games have never been held in

that continent since 1896. No bids

from countries in Africa have ever

succeeded.

In Africa, no other country

has won more Olympic medals

than Kenya—thus, making that

country a strong contender if it

ever submits a bid.

Come 2013, the Olympic

host nation and city will be

named. True to the Olympic

spirit, the important thing is not to

win but to take part.

Games and Sporting Events

Competing Year Levels

I II III IV

Badminton (Men) B G S *

Badminton (Women) G * B S

Badminton-Doubles (Men) BB GG ** SS

Badminton-Doubles (Women) GG ** BB SS

Banner-Raising Contest * SS BB GG

Basketball (Men) ** Bx5 Gx5 Sx5

Basketball (Women) ** Bx5 Gx5 Sx5

Chess (Men) BB GG SS *

Chess (Women) BB * SS GG

Darts (Men) B S * G

Darts (Women) * S B G

Darts-Doubles (Men) SS ** BB GG

Darts-Doubles (Women) ** BB SS GG

Games of the Generals (Men) ** GG BB SS

Games of the Generals (Women) BB ** GG SS

Long Jump (Men) B * G S

Long Jump (Women) * S B G

Mini-Marathon (Men) * * GS B

Mini-Marathon (Women) S * * GB

Rubik’s Cube (Men) B S G *

Rubik’s Cube (Women) * B S G

Sepak Takraw (Men) ** BB SS GG

Shot Put (Men) * B S G

Shot Put (Women) * S B G

Soduko (Men) * B G S

Soduko (Women) S * G B

Standing Long Jump (Men) B * S G

Standing Long Jump (Women) B * S G

Table Tennis (Men) G S * B

Table Tennis (Women) S B * G

Table Tennis-Doubles (Men) GG BB * SS

Table Tennis-Doubles (Women) SS BB ** GG

Triple Long Jump (Men) G * B S

Triple Long Jump (Women) * G B S

Volleyball (Men) * Bx5 Sx5 Gx5

Volleyball (Women) * Sx5 Gx5 Bx5

Medal Summary

Gold 7 8 22 27

Silver 7 13 19 25

Bronze 14 27 14 9

Ranking * 3 2 1

Philippine Volcanoes

Mary Grace J. Parilla marygrace.parilla@ovi.com

T hanks to their underwear billboard controversy, a lot of us would not

have heard about them or known that rugby was played professionally

in the country.

Rugby

Tanya G.A.A. Benitez tanyabenitez98@yahoo.com

Football Beware of the Azkals

E Sports News & Features C3 El Obrero MatchPoint│June–September 2011

Waiting to erupt

N i c k n a m e d t h e

―Volcanoes,‖ the Philippine na-

tional rugby union team actually

represents the country in interna-

tional rugby union.

They have been playing in

the Asian Five Nations–Pacific-

Asia since 2008. Even though

they are currently in Division I,

they still have to debut at the pres-

tigious Rugby World Cup.

Although the sport has

been played mostly by expatriates

in Manila for decades now, the

Philippine team played interna-

tionally for the first time only in

May 2006.

The Philippines won the

match versus Guam 18–14 cour-

tesy of its squad of long-term ex-

pats and a few Filipino players.

In December 2006, the PHL team

went undefeated in the Asian

Rugby Football Union (ARFU).

A year later, an all-Filipino

team was selected for the 24th

South East Asian games in Thai-

land where they reached the

medal rounds after two days of

pool matches. Defeating Malay-

sia earlier and being defeated by

host Thailand later, the silver

medal performance was a stellar

accomplishment for the team.

In 2008, the Volcanoes

dominated the fourth tier of the

ARFU Asian Five Nations series

by beating Brunei in a historic

101–0 and Guam, 20–8.

The following year, the

team won the inaugural Asian

Five Nations Division II rugby

tournament in Parañaque City.

By defeating Iran and Guam in

their two matches, the PHL team

was then promoted to the Asian

Five Nations Division II. Just last

year, the Volcanoes defeated

number one seeds, Thailand (53–

33) and host India (34–12).

While the other interna-

tional teams receive extra funding

from the International Rugby

Board’s Major Market Funds and

train in Springbok Academy or in

Rugby Academy in New Zealand,

the PHL team relies heavily on

the generosity of local business

and rugby enthusiasts at home and

overseas.

The news of their earlier

success and the fact that rugby

was played in the Philippines at-

tracted would-be players from

mixed ethnicity. Since 2006, the

team has added more and more

players of Filipino heritage; and

for the first time, the team has had

a Filipino coach, Expo Mejia,

since last year. The present Vol-

canoes’ squad includes four sets

of brothers.

The future seems even

brighter for the team. They van-

quished all four rivals, including

powerhouse Kazakhstan, in the

Asian Division II Championships

in Laos last year.

Aside from their moniker,

the Volcanoes refer to themselves

as the ―Sons of Lapu-Lapu,‖

the first Filipino hero who re-

pelled Magellan back in the 16th

century.

Even though they may

come from rugby-playing nations

but brought together for sharing

the same special rugby ethos, they

convey good old-fashioned

national pride.

Not all team members re-

side in the Philippines, but they

are all true sons of the nation—

worthy to be emulated as sports

heroes who have lived their motto

of ―Respect, Discipline, and

Proudly Pinoy;‖ and transcended

their ―brief‖ encounter.

Barking dogs occasionally bite...

S uch was the fate of the Philippine National Football

Team popularly known as ―Azkals‖ or the Filipino

term for street dogs. Either they were the underdogs or

the mixed-race players, they were earlier on the right

path but eventually got lost along the way to the 2014

FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Round Leg Date and Venue Teams Scores Result

1

1 June 29, 2011

Sugathadasa Stadium

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

vs.

Philippines

1–1

Draw

2 July 3, 2011

Rizal Memorial Stadium

Manila

Philippines

vs.

Sri Lanka

4–1

Won

5–1 Won Aggregate Score

2

1 July 23, 2011

Mohammad Al Hamad

Stadium, Qadsia

Kuwait

vs.

Philippines

3–0

Failed

2 July 28, 2011

Rizal Memorial Stadium

Manila

Philippines

vs.

Kuwait

2–1

Failed

Aggregate Score 5–1 Failed

Controlled by the Philip-

pine Football Federation, the Az-

kals represent the country in the

international football stage. They

are among the oldest national

teams in Asia but the PHL team

has never qualified for either the

Asian Cup or the World Cup.

It had been a very long

time already when the team last

enjoyed success from 1913 to

1934 in the Far Eastern Champi-

onship Games. But when they

defeated Vietnam 2–0 in the 2010

AFF Suzuki Cup, they awoke the

national consciousness of the Fili-

pinos in the field of football, or

soccer as it is known here.

In September 2006, the

PHL team fell to 195th on the

FIFA World Rankings. By the

end of that year, the team moved

back up to 171st overall after a

good kick in the 2007 ASEAN

Football Championship qualifica-

tion. They won three games in a

row, which was a first for the

Philippines, and thus qualifying

for the 2007 ASEAN Football

Championship. Prior to these

victories was their first ever win

of the tournament in 2004.

Since 2007, the PHL team

had failed to qualify for a major

competition. They came close in

2008 after missing out on the

2008 AFC Challenge Cup only on

goal difference, and the 2008 AFF

Suzuki Cup with an inferior goals

scored record.

In 2010, they qualified for

the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, where

they stayed undefeated in the

group stage and also went on to

beat defending champions Viet-

nam, becoming one of the biggest

upsets in the history of the tourna-

ment. The team reached the

knockout stage for the first time,

eventually losing to Indonesia in

the semi-finals.

In 2011, the Philippines

qualified for the AFC Challenge

Cup for the first time since quali-

fiers were introduced in the tour-

nament.

On July 3, 2011, the Phil-

ippines recorded their first ever

victory in FIFA World Cup Quali-

fiers, beating Sri Lanka 4–1 in the

second leg of the first preliminary

round. They advanced 5–1 on

aggregate, drawing 1–1 in the first

leg before winning at the Rizal

Memorial Stadium.

The Azkals’ 2014 World

Cup dream was cut short when

they were beaten by the formida-

ble Kuwait Al-Azraq, 2–1 (5–1

final aggregate score) at Rizal

Memorial Stadium on July 28.

The lone goal was scored

by midfielder Fil–German

Stephan Schrock who, together

with team captain Alexander

―Aly‖ Borromeo, missed the first

leg due to suspension.

The Azkals lost to a better

team but they inspired a new gen-

eration of players with dreams,

too. Win or lose, football is here

to stay.

Chess This position, from an

England–Netherlands game in the

1995 Moscow Olympics, looks

fairly quiet, but black is tied un-

pleasantly to the defense of e6.

How did white break through?

(Solution on C4)

Flashback

2011 Intramural Meet Medal Tally

Black

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

a b c d e f g h

White (to play)

F rom castling to promotion, the sophomore trio

proved that the only way to be the chess wizards was

to check the junior team where escape was impossible.

J unior cagers hauled whooping five gold medals in

men’s basketball when they narrowly overtook the

sophomores in the championship game at 2 p.m., Sept. 8.

Yellow checkmates blue

Seniors slam

sophies, 3–2

Juniors cage Sophies

Seniors keep up winning streak

W inning was a tough feat after the round-robin

eliminations, but carrying on the winning tradi-

tion was even tougher for the seniors.

Juniors: b-t-b

sudoku wiz

Seniors leap to victory

Champions for the nth time

Governors Roxanne Da-

taro, junior; Joyce Nicole Jalosjos,

sophomore; and Sean Maverick

Realista, freshmen, accepted the

trophies for the first, second, and

third runners-up, respectively.

Jugalbot, also the senior

governor, received the champion-

ship trophy then helped in unveil-

ing the perpetual banner.

It is presently on display

on the outside wall of IV-St. Rita.

The winners of the dance

contests in the literary–musical

night presented their winning

dance routines: the group imper-

sonation and the somersaulting

hip-hop by the seniors.

(Reymund D. U. Jugalbot)

In the standing long jump

events, Neil M. Manguilimotan

was ranked first at 7.7 ft in his

second attempt.

Fresh Grace A. Romero

was also ranked first for her sec-

ond and final attempts at 6.1 ft.

In the long jump events,

Romero set the highest record for

the women’s division at 10.2½ in

her third attempt.

Rey Michael O. Anadeo,

junior, topped the men’s ranking

with 12.4½ ft in his final attempt.

Michael John U. Panong,

senior, came second at 11.9½ ft;

and Christian B. Dolandolan,

However, the winners may

come from the same year level.

Jake B. Magallon and

Judee B. Garsuta, both juniors,

proved to the non-sudoku ―kukus‖

that no computation was needed

for this logic-based number place-

ment puzzle.

Held right after the open-

ing ceremony on Sept. 5, the tour-

nament eliminations were in easy,

moderate, and difficult levels.

In the men’s division,

Mariel S. dela Cerna, senior, was

second while Reger Ed A. Ca-

perig, sophomore, was third.

For the women’s, Ma.

Allysa Shyn F. Rosado, freshman;

and Mara Aubrey Sistine L. Es-

coreal, senior, were the silver and

bronze winners.

(Judee B. Garsuta)

Sudoku. Judee B. Garsuta solves

the “challenging” puzzle.

During the first and second

quarters, the game was a close call

when both teams showed their

best form. The winners automati-

cally got the gold while the losing

team settled for the bronze.

In the third quarter, the

junior rookie Harold M. Andabon

gave straight points.

Refusing to be left behind

in the tight fight, captain ball Rey

C. Alcober of the sophomores

also threw in straight points. He

showed a lightning lay-up and a

flying shot.

The junior guard moved

back when Alcober threw the shot

Josephians run for gold

C hristen Mae E. Casoco and

Cindy Rose O. Bugay, sen-

ior table netters duo, showed

their exemplary techniques to

defeat the sophies, 3–2.

In the first set, the senior

pair released their smashes but the

sophies were also alert to defend

with their unremitting drop shots.

Casoco gave her killer

serve to Ahra M. Baynosa, but the

latter returned the ball with her

quick backhand. With nothing to

do, the seniors lost the first set to

the sophies, 11–7.

In the second set, the game

peaked into its climax. Casoco

and Bugay were in high spirits

and regained composure.

Niña J. A. V. Nugas gave

the top spin in her serves, but

Bugay was ferociously deter-

mined to control the rolling ball

back to their opponent. The

sophomore pair had no idea how

to defend that killer smash and

lost the set, 11–3.

The competition was ten-

sion filled when the crowd went

wild for the sophies. Casoco ap-

plied her sizzling top spin, but

Nugas alertly used her drop shot.

The third set ended favoring the

lower year, 11–8.

In a desperate bid to con-

quer the fourth set despite the

astonishing forehand and back-

hand smashes by their rivals, the

seniors were able to get back in

the game, 13–11.

In the final set, the senior

pair released their unstoppable

smashes and forehand techniques

to victory, 11–4.

(Joelan M. Tongco)

Jump for joy. Remart A. Dadan dashes to the finish line during the early

morning marathon from Brgy. Disud to the SJCSI overpass.

The winner stands alone. Reymund D. U. Jugalbot accepts the trophy for

the seniors who topped the 2011 Intramural Meet medal tally.

Solution to Chess Game (C3) 1. Bc7! 2. Qxe6+ Ke8 3. Qg6+ Rf7 4.

Ne6 Qb6 5. Nxg7+ Kf8 6. Ne6+ Ke8

7. Qg8+ Rf8 8. Ng7 mate

With a final medal tally of

27–25–9, the lord of the score-

board took the tallest trophy, the

perpetual banner, and the title

―Overall Champion of the 2011

Intramural Meet‖ during the

awarding ceremony at the high

school outdoor stage, Sept. 15.

Right after the flag cere-

mony, Cristina S. Bajalan, MA-

Ed., principal, gave the opening

remarks.

Michael A. Masalta, the

Supreme Student Council adviser;

Reymund D. U. Jugalbot, SSC

president; and Yanessa Naval,

SSC vice-president, assisted Ba-

jalan in handing out the trophies

to the participating year levels.

O f all the events in the intramural meet, only the 2-km

mini-marathon on a balmy Thursday morn was

reminiscent of the ancient Olympics in spirit and form.

Held outside the campus,

the marathon was run as a road

race from Disud Elementary

School, the starting point, to the

finish line under the overpass con-

necting the two campuses.

Each year level had a

maximum of three runners. They

converged at the starting point for

the 6-a.m. event on Sept 7.

The high school marathon-

ers started first, then were fol-

lowed by the college runners.

In the men’s division, Re-

mart A. Dadan, a junior, dashed to

the finish line first. He was fol-

lowed by Joelan M. Tongco, an-

other junior, and Sidney Rico T.

Rebollido, a senior.

In the women’s group,

Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario, a sen-

ior who was the undefeated mara-

thoner during the previous two

intramural meets, was once again

triumphant by leading April Mau-

reen R. Lumahang, a freshman;

and Fresh Grace A. Romero, an-

other senior.

The word marathon comes

from the legend of Pheidippides, a

Greek messenger who was sent

from the battlefield of Marathon

to Athens to announce that the

Persians had been defeated in the

Battle of Marathon, which took

place in August or September 490

B.C.

(Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario)

On Board 1, Rhave I. Bar-

celo was one of the toughest play-

ers of the yellow team. He

thwarted Heron M. Dumajel’s

king from escaping through his

tactics and strategies to win the

match.

Mark Christian C. Dion-

aldo, the Board 2 player, was ag-

gressive to attack Jacques A. S.

Simbulan’s men and eventually

to destroy the junior’s defense.

Board 3 player Fivos C.

Patsalidis was rather tricky to just

wait for the right moments to

strike at Remart A. Dadan’s posi-

tions.

Patsalidis spent many a

good time seeking for the right

moves to assail Dadan’s men until

the blue player was under threat

of capture that could not be

avoided anymore.

Per official results submit-

ted by Pastor Max Ramos Jr., the

tournament arbiter, the sopho-

mores earned 10 points; the jun-

iors, 6; freshmen, 5; and seniors, 3.

In the women’s division,

the seniors redeemed the men’s

poor standing by leading with 9½

points.

The juniors, freshmen, and

sophomores trailed at 6, 5, and 3½

points, respectively.

(Julius Zeth N. Calumpang)

S udoku, short for soji wa

dokushin ni kagiru, means

―the numbers must be single‖

or ―the numbers must occur

only once.‖

L iving up to the altius motto of the games came easily

for the seniors in two of the three measured sports.

freshman, third at 11.8 ft.

In the triple long jump

events, freshmen Dolandolan and

Dennis P. Endrina led the ranking

with 12.2 ft.

They surpassed their ear-

lier best of 11.11 ft that Manguili-

motan, a senior, equaled in his

third attempt. Franz Angelo A.

Labadan, junior, was third at 11 ft.

Among the women jump-

ers, Aiza Abegael D. Camal,

sophomore, set the all-time high

of 10.1½ ft in her second attempt.

Seniors Romero and Jezza

Joy M. Castolo were second at 9.1

ft. (Ma. Joeresa P. Jamora)

that gave the sophies a lead, 38–

37, for the first time.

However, the euphoria of

that lead was cut short when Al-

cober was disqualified after being

found out to be under the influ-

ence of alcohol—a violation of

the intramural meet rules and

regulations— only during the half

time of the third quarter.

The blue cagers were then

unstoppable that the yellow men

could not lead anymore. The jun-

iors gave the finishing rainbow

shot that led them to victory, 56–

53.

(Bill E. Dagondong) Winning form. Fresh Grace A. Romero of IV-San Lorenzo Ruiz jumps at

10.2 ½ ft to win the women‟s long jump event.

C4 El Obrero MatchPoint│June–September 2011

Sports