Ive written so many blog entries about the recently concluded UAAP season...
Im hoping this will be the last discussing the issues...
I have just finished reading Charles’ own entry...About what else but that burning of the Archers’ names written on wood during the Blue Eagle bonfire last Tuesday night. According to him, this was an alumni’s idea and unfortunately for Team Ateneo [I am pertaining to the players, coaching staff, particularly to Chris and Yuri who were given the honor to light the bonfire], NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT. And just like wildfire, this spread and now a new ish has emerged...ALL BECAUSE OF THE IMMATURE DOING OF ONE PERSON.
I learned about this just yday aft at my org tambs. It ticked me off smuch because I thought everyone was just having fun that night. [I chose not to go into Bell field anymore since I was in flip flops. I do have the autograph of the entire team on my Adidas BE cap and poster anyway.] Apparently, the word “FUN” should have been more particular – CLEAN FUN. But that was not how things went last Tuesday.
I posted a comment on Chris’s blog last night. I was not blaming him or the team for what happened. I was saying that WHOEVER DID THAT MUST BE REPRIMANDED as he or she created another thread for everyone to talk about – and not the good kind. It added another chapter to the Ateneo-La Salle or La Salle-Ateneo rivalry. And I do not think thered be any end to it anytime soon. Sad but true. I also felt bad as it seemed that Chris was already frustrated w the comments of the people about it, evident in how he responded to it. [At least thats how I read his reply on this ish.]
I remember how my dad gave me all these reminders before I saw my first UAAP game back in 2002. He was worried as rumbles were common during their time. Fortunately, I came home in one piece without witnessing any of those fistfights. In junior year, I saw several Blue-Green matches. By senior year hs, I was watching practically all the games live. It was then that I first got scared coming to the games. Alumni seated at my back were shouting at the refs for the bad calls, some trash talking and calling the opposing players rude names. I was terribly disgusted. There really were calls that I myself would contest but I do believe the foul language was unnecessary. Still, I tried to enjoy myself in the games.
I am currently on my junior year in college, taking up Broadcast Communication. I have been watching UAAP srs div bball for seven years now. [I am supposed to be in my senior year already but I shifted.] And this year, I HAVE SEEN 14 OUT OF 17 ATENEO GAMES LIVE. As stated in previous entries, I have befriended a couple of Ateneo alumni as well as you see the same people in every game. One of them is Sir Rolly who introduced me to other Ateneans, including Dr. –something- who is also a prof in ADMU [and she brought papers to check during one of the games]. These alumni, I am proud to say, cheer on the players till the very end without the foul comments, despite debatable calls from refs. On the other hand, you have this other group who cant stop themselves from uttering insulting words directed to both players and refs. [I remember this one game I saw in Ultra alone. This Ateneo alumna mom was making fun of this gay Adamson supporter from the other side of the playing court. Now isnt that pathetic? Shes all grown up but shes being so childlish! So what if this person wants to cheer for this Falcon? EACH IS TO HIS OWN, much like she chose to study and cheer for the Blue Eagles. So whats her problem?] THESE ARE WHAT STOP SUPPORTERS LIKE ME FROM WATCHING THE GAMES LIVE. Tis also frustrating when they ATTACK THE PERSON ALREADY. Charles mentioned some people calling Rabeh “a terrorist.” Ive encountered Ateneans during the semis vs UE calling the Red Warriors “mabaho”, “pangit”, etc. I MEAN CMON! CAN YOU PEOPLE BE MORE CHILDISH THAN THAT? I couldnt help but turn my head and give them a disgusted face. Im not an Atenean but I am ashamed for the Ateneo community. TIS WHAT YOU CALL “PATHETIC”. Ive also seen several games alone [even if Im this tiny girl who seems lost to be amidst these alumni in the games] and I cannot help but shake my head whenever I hear the alumni or an alumna or alumnus cursing, both the refs and opposing players. THEY SHOULD KNOW BETTER THAN THAT. DONT THEY REALIZE THAT EVERY TIME THEY DO STUFF LIKE THIS, IT SOMEHOW REFLECTS THE KIND OF UPBRINGING THEY HAD? WORST, THEY DRAG THEIR SCHOOL’S NAME WITH THEM. Tis all about school spirit, but I deem THAT [trash talking and the like] unnecessary, whatever the situation may be. LOOK AT THE PLAYERS [though thered been instances of exchanges of words and fistfights as well between them over the years], theyre calm and collected...at least they try to be. But my love and passion for bball (at least watching) goes beyond my disgust with people like them. I CHEER MY HEART OUT FOR THE TEAM TILL THE VERY LAST SECOND OF THE GAME CLOCK, WIN OR LOSE. [Much like how Larry plays when he was still playing for Ateneo as I have not seen him play in PBA lately...And I SEE THE SAME PASSION IN JAI.Ü]
And mind you, I have the same feeling when it comes to my own college alma mater. UP and UST are like the ADMU and DLSU in cheer dance competitions. And I hate how my own schoolmates say nasty things about the Thomasians as well. I have much respect for the Salinggawi Dance Troupe. So I am disappointed when I hear Iskos and Iskas giving uncalled for remarks against them. During the 2006 UAAP Cheer Dance Competition, I was required to watch it for my PE class. While UST was performing, people from my school were also saying “stuff” to the Thomasians. I think I was the sole person on that side who was watching intently and actually smiling at the great execution of the Gawi dancers. Why? BECAUSE I HAVE MUCH RESPECT FOR THEM TOO. I CAN APPRECIATE EXCELLENCE WHEN I SEE ONE, DESPITE IT BEING A THREAT OR COMPETITION TO MY OWN SCHOOL. Tis healthy competition...until the trash talking and bickering starts.
During game two in the best of three for the finals this season, I think the people around me were wondering why I was cheering my heart out every time Jvee Casio was called for a foul. I was happy because I knew the kind of threat he poses upon Ateneo. I know how good of a player he is, as Ive seen him play for several years now. I WAS HAPPY EVERY TIME HE WAS GIVEN A FOUL BECAUSE I HAVE HIGH RESPECT FOR JVEE CASIO. I ADMIRE HIS SKILLS AND THE HEART HE HAS FOR THE GAME. Although he does fumble during crucial games (well, sometimes), I think he is the biggest contributor for the Archers getting into the finals. Unfortunately, his efforts came up short. But kudos to him for not being bitter about it, at least when his face was shown on-screen when Ateneo had already won.
I have been watching UAAP games for seven years now. I have seen La Salle crush the dreams of potential pro players from other teams aspiring for that championship ring, with their teamwork and incredible skills. But I did not see that special spark that the Taft-based boys always have coming into the games this UAAP season. They lacked that thing. AND ATENEO HAD IT. TEAM WORK COUPLED W DEFENSE AND HEART. :) The 2008 Ateneo Blue Eagles had all the right ingredients to come out victorious. And they did. :D
But tis just sad how issues keep popping out like mushrooms in the field. How from the v beginning of the season, during the ADMU-DLSU first round game when a TF was given against the Archers’ coaching staff for failure to wear their IDs, things like these have already emerged. I just hope they become more consistent in the implementation of rules like this in the seasons to come.
But what I noticed during this season UAAP bball matches is HOW THE MEDIA CREATED THIS FRENZY ON THE BBALL GAMES, PARTICULARLY DURING THE ATENEO-LA SALLE SECOND ROUND GAME. If all the hype in the respective schools werent enough, they had to join in and build up even more tension between the two schools. People have somewhat become slaves to this endless bickering. Quoting Charles, each was “looking for reasons to make fun of the other and stuff like that.” Has collegiate bball gone THIS LOW?
I must admit, I still enjoy myself during the games. I just try to shut off all the comments and remarks you hear from the people around you [both from Ateneo supporters and the fans of the team their playing against]. BECAUSE I CAME TO CHEER FOR “MY TEAM”---as I will never be an Atenean and am helluva proud to be from UPd. But my love and passion for collegiate bball, after all, began with the Blue Eagles...back in 2002. Thus CHEERING FOR THE HAIL MARY SQUAD IS SOMETHING ALMOST INNATE IN ME ALREADY. People can call me die-hard, fanatic or whatever name one can think of...After all, I did line up for six hours in AC and ended up w gen ad tix---BUT I WAS HAPPY. And despite the sucky view I had during game two, I made the most of what I had----I CHEERED MY LUNGS OUT FOR ATENEO, EVEN IF THERE WERE MOMENTS I WAS THE ONLY ONE SCREAMING IN THE CROWD. BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT LOYALTY IS SUPPOSED TO BE [Let me reiterate that I havent completely “abandoned” the Fighting Maroons as I was one those screaming heartily during their match against the Tams last July 30 in Ultra.] And if I was all about winning also, I believe I would also burn all my resources to watch the cheer dance live as the UP Pep Squad is one to be reckoned w here---But no, I dont. Because tis really bball I enjoy watching, not for the players but for the love of the game. :)
...
SO WERE NO BETTER THAN THE OTHER. I believe in that now. Because we all have had our share on spreading nasty things about a player, coach or team we love to hate. Because we all have had our share on laughing at the mistakes of the opposing squad. Because we all have had our share on calling the people rude names and getting too personal. My Atenean “kuya” once told me people think hes “mayabang” when it fact he isnt...NOT ONE BIT! Tis because of the whole generalization. Much like when I entered UPd, people have labeled me coño just because I came from Poveda. TIS UNFAIR AND ALL BUT I HAVE LEARNED TO LIVE W IT. Besides, when these people actually take time to get to know you, they realize that it isnt all true. [Well yeah, maybe Im coño but tis only because of the way I talk. Im no bratty RK. Im not even rich!] I used to say La Sallians [as Ive been told they dont want to be called La Sallites---since this is the one w the bad conotation of being stupid RKs] are aloof but Ive met lotsa Ateneans who make me raise my eyebrow too. AND ONE OF MY REALLY GOOD AND CLOSEST FRIENDS IS FROM DLSU! [Special mention to DINCEEÜ] So tis just a matter of finding people youd click w. I agree w Charles when he said that those generalizations are unfair (as I myself am a constant target of that), but THESE THINGS ARE INEVITABLE. YOU JUST GOTTA LEARN TO DEAL W THEM, PUSH THESE THINGS ASIDE...LIFE WILL GO ON! Because tis all about how a person will deal w things like these. If you let yourself be affected every time, thats your problem.
BUT THERES STILL HOPE. FOR CHANGE. Though the end of the rivalry between the Eagles and the Archers, the UP Pep and the Gawi, et al is nowhere near, I think itll help to be A LITTLE MORE SENSITIVE AND SENSIBLE SUPPORTER. Just like this thing I have when it comes to watching bball games live:
1) YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TRASH TALK THE OPPOSING TEAM,
2) YOU CAN ONLY REPRIMAND YOUR OWN PLAYERS BECAUSE IT IS THEM YOU CAME ALL THE WAY FOR---but foul language is still unacceptable,
3) KEEP YOUR COMMENTS WITHIN THE GAME PROPER, ANYTHING OUTSIDE THE PLAYING COURT AND THE GAME IS DEEMED FOUL---especially when people ridicule them for physical appearance and such---WHEN WILL YOU PEOPLE GROW UP?
AT THE END OF THE DAY, REMEMBER THAT IT IS JUST A GAME.
And just like one of the lessons I learned in Broadcast Communication, “ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS BUT LEAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND AFTER.” [for prod work]
P.S. I hope that the alumnus/alumna/alumni responsible for that burning incident last Tuesday night come clean about it. Although according to Charles, Fr. Ben will issue a formal letter of apology to DLSU for that, I still think the person/s who did it should be man enough to admit his mistake. He or she tainted a supposed successful celebration of the victory of his or her alma mater.
LETS STOP W THE BICKERING. TIS POINTLESS; A WASTE OF TIME. IT DOES NOT ONLY TAINT THE NAME OF OUR OWN ALMA MATER W THE WAY WE ACT BUT IT DESTROYS US AS A PERSON TOO. IT NEVER ENDS. NO ONE WINS. SO WHATS THE POINT?
AND LETS GIVE IT TO THE EAGLES. THEY DESERVE THE WIN. THEY REALLY WERE THE STRONGEST TEAM THIS SEASON. [Even former Senator and DLSU star player Freddie Webb said so. Thats what I call being “humble in defeat.”] I HOPE THERE WONT BE ANY UNTOWARD INCIDENT REGARDING THE WIN OR ANYTHING RELATED TO IT ANYMORE. TIS TIRING AND GETTING REALLY PATHETIC ALREADY.
OBF! KUDOS TO THE BLUE EAGLES FOR A WONDERFUL SEASON.
TO CHRIS AND YURI, CONGRATULATIONS FOR LEADING THE HAIL MARY SQUAD TO ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP. THEY LEAD BY EXAMPLE, FOR BEING SELFLESS SMART PLAYERS IN AND OFF THE COURT.
Heres to a successful UAAP Season 71 as hosted by my college alma mater and to Season 72 to be hosted by Ateneo I believe. [I cannot quote anyone for this Season 72 thing but theres a huge possibility as they also hosted hte year after their win in 2003 and since the Loyala-based school will be celebrating their 150 years in 2009.]
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in pain
annnoyed . jaded
spent and melancholic
contemplative
optimistic
exhausted
amused
dorky
stressed
awake
determined
extremely happy and speechless