After almost 3 months of intense play, the two-round elimination tournament of the UAAP has ended. Only four teams remain, each chasing the elusive goal of winning this year’s UAAP men’s championship. Ateneo, ranked number one; FEU, number 2; the UE Red Warriors, at the 3rd slot, and UST, 4th. With the final four set up, Ateneo will play UST with the Eagles having a twice to beat advantage. While 2nd seed FEU, with the same twice-to-beat advantage takes on the UE Warriors.

Except for the absence of De La Salle, these four teams were tipped from the very beginning to make it to the final four. Even before the season, I would tell friends that no matter what happens, it will be an Ateneo-FEU showdown, no assurances on who will win the title, though. So let’s dissect the final four match ups that we will be eagerly watching. Read the rest of this entry »

Off-season. Thoughts about being a couch potato, catching up on DVDs while eating a Quarter Pounder Meal, with the big possibility of going big time race my mind. But I kid myself. The off season is when we go over board, pushing ourselves, working extra hard and preparing yourself along with the team for the season that will start on October.

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A fitness craze has taken over. I see people spending at least 30 minutes running in the treadmill or using the stair master machine on a daily basis. I know of people who purposely schedule their days to get at least 40 minutes of Yoga or Pilates. I see in Fort Bonifacio running after their grueling 9 to 5 jobs.People aren’t satisfied seeing Brad Pitt in his chiseled body; they aspire to have a similar one. Women go to great lengths to have an “America’s Next Top Model” figure and be as sexy as Christine Reyes or Marian Rivera. Are our fitness efforts really to achieve a healthy well-being or are they all for vanity purposes? However, losing weight, being healthy and exercising seem to be all related. Or so they say.What if I tell you that those long hours in the gym, effort spent in that cardiovascular activity, working out and pushing yourself to the limits might not make you lose weight? Worse, I learned you can even gain weight. Will you still do it?I read an article on TIME Magazine entitled “Why Exercise Won’t Make You Thin” and it really made me want to think things through. Does this mean we should screw exercise and go back to our slacker ways? Let me know by posting your comments. Too bad I can’t make this decision as I make my living by exercising.

After Ateneo de Manila’s victory over rivals De La Salle University last Sunday, rumors of their immediate 2nd round face-off circulated barely 24 hours later. Why so soon, many wondered. Well, the UAAP has always based the schedule of the two teams’ 2nd round match up on their rank at the end of the first round. As it turned out, their team standing dictated they meet up pronto. Last Sunday’s historic game lived up to its billing. Just when people assumed the heavily favored Ateneo would easily run over the young DLSU squad, the Archers jumped on their rivals early, but faded in overtime. I expect another exciting game from both squads, one that’s less dramatic but more action-packed than their August 9 bout. Here’s what to expect: Read the rest of this entry »

*Once again, the battle of epic proportion is on. No, I am not talking about the constant bickering of the opposition versus our Philippine government nor am I talking about the different potential presidential candidates hurling mud like allegations on each other’s wrong doings. Stop the bickering, political debates, and showbiz talk because come the Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 all eyes are on the sporting arena. Bitter rivals De La Salle University will be battling the Ateneo de Manila University. Read the rest of this entry »