THE University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad wanted to have fun in the annual extravaganza called the 2008 Samsung-University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Cheerdance Competition.

But the team got more.

The UP Pep Squad, using a tribal war theme complete with a member who posed as the UP-trademark Oblation, defended its title before another jam-packed crowd of 23,443 at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

The UP Pep Squad took home the P195,000 top prize and each member got a Samsung MP3 Player.

THE State U cheerdance team wanted to have fun, but it got more than that. --NONOY LACZA

The University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe finished second for P120,000 and Far Eastern University Cheering Squad third for P80,000.

“Fun, fun, fun, puso, kapit at iyong belief sa routine and coaches, and support that we get from the whole team and our family and friends,” said 22-year-old Angelica Sison, cocaptain of the UP Pep Squad.

Ateneo finished fourth, followed by Adamson, University of the East, De La Salle and National University. Competition chairman Leilani Gonzalo did not divulge the scores.

Cruz vs. Al-Hussaini

THE battle for the men’s basketball Most Valuable Player (MVP) award loomed into a battle of big men—reigning MVP Jervy Cruz of University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Rabeh Al-Hussaini of No. 1 seed Ateneo.

According to figures provided by Smart Bro and Imperium Technology, Cruz finished with 75.0714 statistical points (SPs) to lead the league. Al-Hussaini placed second with 71.1429 SPs.

Cruz led the league in points (19.8 points a game), rebounds (13.7 rebounds a game), and field-goal percentage (55 percent). He also had double-double performances 11 times, including three 20-20 in points and rebounds. Interestingly, UST lost in all of those 11 games, where Cruz posted those remarkable figures.

Al-Hussaini is No. 2 in points (18.0) and field-goal percentage (49 percent), and No. 3 in rebounds (9.6). He scored a season-high 33 points in Ateneo’s lone loss of the season against FEU in the first round. His output is a far cry from his 177 in his entire three-year career prior to this season.

Chris Tiu also of Ateneo is a far third with 62.1429 SPs, while Rico Maierhofer of De La Salle is in fourth with 61.5 SPs. JV Casio also of La Salle is in fifth place with 60.8571 SPs.

Statistics account for 50 percent, team and officials’ votes 15 percent each and media 20 percent.

Touch returns

FLUSHING MEADOWS, New York—With Tropical Storm Hanna bearing down, Roger Federer regained his mastery of tennis Saturday to earn his fifth-consecutive trip to the US Open final and silence talk about his impending downfall—at least temporarily.

Paralympic Games fires off

BEIJING—The Paralympic Games began Sunday in Beijing, a day after China staged a lavish opening ceremony for an event it sees as another chance to cement its role as a global player to an international audience.

Rain or Shine staring at a better season

RAIN or Shine top honchos Terry Que and Raymund Yu are pretty confident this coming season will be different from the previous two.

Both believe the franchise, a perennial tail-ender the past four conferences, now has the tools to compete against the league’s elite.

Amateur basketball godfather Romero is new PBL chairman

DR. Michael “Mikee” Romero, a proven winner in both sports and business, was voted chairman of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) by acclamation during the Board of Governors’ meeting recently at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila.

Two-in-a-row for State University Pep Squad

THE University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad wanted to have fun in the annual extravaganza called the 2008 Samsung-University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Cheerdance Competition.

No Go, no problem, says Dayrit’s camp

CELSO DAYRIT would still seek the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) presidency despite losing former ally Go Teng Kok to the camp of incumbent POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. Triathlon chief Tom Carrasco said on Sunday that Dayrit’s group remains upbeat of clinching the POC leadership despite the decision of Go to shift allegiance to Cojuangco.  

Carabeo, Lao shock vets to win World Cup qualifier

JEFF CARABEO and Kim Lao, fresh faces in Philippine bowling, scored major reversals yesterday to win the 2008 Bowling World Cup national title at SM Mall of Asia and earn the right to represent the Philippines in the international finals in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Bleachers’ Brew: The other side

Officiating is never easy and boy, is that an understatement. I tried it one time and sucked at it. Never again. Having said that, does that make me a more sympathetic person toward the zebras? In a way, but not necessarily so because the men who blow the whistles do it for a living and have done so for years. Is there room for error?