Blue Pegasus indeed soared great heights as it paraded its class and eventually bagged home the Over-all Championship award in the recently concluded UP BATANGAN Sportfest held at the Amorsolo covered court, Aug. 19.
        Inspired by the sterling leadership of Team Capt. Jeff Pariño, the Pegasus members gave outstanding performances in the different events, thus compiling the decisive 465 statistical points enough to take home the Sportfest’s most prestigious accolade. The Red Centaurs came lagging behind with their compiled 447.5 points while the Black Furies settled for last place finish with their 417.5 point tally.
        Banking on their net prowess, the Blue Pegasus ruled the mixed volleyball event, boasting an unscathed tally two of victories. Led by ace netter Jo-ens Buquiz, they survived the seriously stiff challenge posed by their remarkably competitive antagonists. Blue team simply displayed such composure, not breaking down even when the Furies crawled back with their powerful spikes or when the Centaurs provided them a scare with their excellently executed placings and diggings. The Black Furies eventually waylaid the Red Centaurs in their battle for the next best thing in the said event.
        However, it was the Furies and the Centaurs turn in the spotlight as they wowed even their opponents with their exciting routines and flashy costumes in the most anticipated cheering competition. The two teams clearly outshone the Pegasus as they shared the honors for being the best cheerer in this year’s sportfest.
        Beyond the competitive atmosphere was the sheer joy and excitement the UPB members experienced as they recalled their youger days in participating in games like Tug-of-war and Relay consisting of hopping with tied slippers, mimicking the wheelbarrow, drinking beer and fast-eating a handful of rice.
        Equally satisfying and exhilarating are the events like Chinese garter, tong-its , Sipa, chess and jackstones with golfballs. Surprises were everywhere as certain members stood out in unlikely events as in the case of Chaiperson Ronald Ebora performing high stunts in Chinese Garter and baseball buddies Rhoy Landicho and Andoy Natanauan doing exceptionally great in jackstone.
        This year’s MVP awards went to Ethel Perez and applicant MJ Manalo. The successful event was organized by the Internal Affairs committee headed by David Bernal.

VETERANS-RSJ SPLIT WINS IN EXHIBITION CLASH
By: KJ “Tiano” Vargas

        Rookie-Sophomore-Junior Lady Hoopbelle Maycee Lacsamana took the Herculean task of taking the scoring cudgels as the RSJ’s smothered the Lady Veterans, 23-14 in their ear deafening exhibition clash. Showing some well crafted moves in the shaded area, Maycee had a scoring spree in the paint as well as in the stripe, as she tallied in 15 big markers to lead all scorers in the game. However, the promising stalwart had to bleed for these points as Veterans Apaul Mendoza and Carla Alegria introduced hell on her life with their over-eager and menacing defense.
        The Veterans mainly relied on the hardcourt brilliance of last year’s MVP Hazel Ann Lopez. With some help from her other seasoned cagers, Hazel carried her squad’s hopes alive with her timely shots allowing her to compile 12 of the total of 14 Veteran points.
        Hoop intensity was at its highest during the game causing great adrenaline rush among the players who, in response, aggressively hustled for the leather. Such court energy translated to hard fouls, sloppy defense and some other court theatrics including players being floored down. Also, the intensity greatly rubbed off to the highly partisan spectators who went wild on their cheers and jeers.
        In the mens division of the basketball exhibition event, the Veterans avenged for the bruised pride of their female counterparts as they emerged victors by the slimmest of all leads, 51-50, against the youthful RSJ’s..
        Standout applicant MJ Manalo had a chance to extend the game from regulation but he faltered in his free throw in the dying seconds of the clash. He was able to haul down the rebound but again missed the putback thus sending the Veterans in great jubilation at the final buzzer.
        The Young Ones drew first blood in the game as they erected quite a lead through their transition offense primarily orchestrated by hotshot Jessie Natanauan. However. the Young Once finally found their groove and began bombarding their goal with their half court sets led by backcourt general Paolo Perez.
        While the hardcourt action served as a reminiscent of EVC Cup games, the crowd was treated a whole new dimension of play brought by the new breed of players. Several newcomers like MJ, Jed and Darbene shared the limelight with the seasoned UPB basketball heroes Rico Torres, Ryan Cantos and Teddy Pol Landicho.
        The exhilarating basketball exhibition matches were the highlights in UP Batangan Annual Sportfest supervised by the Internal Affairs committee headed by David Bernal.