The LaSallian Sports Awards 2012

The LaSallian Excellence Award: JV Casio

From a collegiate standout to a national floor general, Casio has proven himself as an excellent leader even in the international and professional world of basketball.
Today, he is the focal point of the Powerade Tigers’ offense in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
With an amazing performance in the Smart Gilas developmental team under Serbian Coach Raijko Toroman, Casio topped the rookie class of 2011 PBA Rookie draft emerging as the no. 1 overall pick by the Powerade Tigers.
Despite Casio’s first round struggle in the 37th Season of the PBA, his Tigers’ squad was hailed 1st Runners-up of the Philippine cup behind powerhouse squad Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters.
Casio brought wonderful heroics to the hard court during the time he wore the Green and White; he also proved to be a model student and an icon looked up upon by the Lasallian community.
The big time shot maker helped DLSU win two titles during his stay in Taft, while remaining humble, generous and dignified.
In the present PBA conference, JV Casio is still one of the top point guards in the league as he led the Tigers to a strong start.
He has proven himself worthy of his position in the draft after rumors that he does not deserve to be the no. 1 rookie.

Honorable Mentions: Japoy Lizardo (Taekwondo), John Paul Gomez (Chess)

Moment of the Year: Archers’ new found hope 

Dull arrows were falling out of the sky.
Bricking free throws, confusing rotations, coaching mishaps, scoring inconsistencies and softening defense was the theme for the Green Archers’ woeful UAAP Season 74 Men’s Basketball stint.
The Taft-based cagers got wrecked loss after loss even to the mediocre teams due to their inconsistency.
After a dismal 5-9 finish, the fabled Green Archers were left in need of major changes to get back to championship shape.
DLSU opted for a complete coaching staff makeover, leasing veteran coaches from the PBA den.
Former Green Archer Gee Abanilla, PBA Petron Blaze Boosters’ assistant coach, was chosen to man the sidelines for Taft basketeers.
Abanilla’s coaching staff banners Jun Limpot, Lady Archers’ mentor Tyrone Bautista and team consultant Tim Cone.
DLSU’s prized rookie class of 2012 includes Gabby Reyes and Axel Torres from De La Salle-Zobel, LSGH standout Thomas Torres, Cebu’s basketball prodigy Mark Tallo and high school hotshot from Xavier Jeron Teng.
With a crafty mixture of veterans and young guns, expect the Green Archers to click on all cylinders and make a deep playoff run for the championship.

Honorable Mentions: Lady Spikers’ 14-0 eliminations sweep, Green Archer L.A. Revilla’s comeback, DLSU second again in GC race

Surprise Team of the Year: Animo! Squad

The DLSU Animo Squad has long been away from the center stage, but its unparalleled courage has brought it back under the spotlight.
Tapping the services of a multi-titled NCAA cheerleading coach has given some light for the struggling squad.
With new mentor Ruf Vandolph Rosario at its helm, the Animo Squad soared three spots from fifth place last year to a 1st Runner-up finish in the recent UAAP Cheerleading Competition.
Mainstay Aiana Lontoc culminated the Cinderella run when she courageously finished their warrior-inspired routine despite having an elbow injury she suffered on deck.
When a handful of veterans left the squad to graduate midway through the season, the squad went back to the drawing board.
Co-captains Harriette Mauricio and Paolo Ian Lucero have done an outstanding job in leading the young squad.
Nevertheless, their 4th place finish in the NCC Qualifiers proves that this team is still capable of giving the other cheerleading squads a run for their money.

Honorable Mentions: Green and Lady Tennisters, Lady Woodpushers, Green Tankers, Lady Booters

Male Rookie of the Year: Green Shuttler Gerald Sibayan

17-year-old rookie Gerald Sibayan is a rookie sensation to reckon with.
Behind the hefty frame of this Green Shuttlers recruit from Fort Bonifacio High School is a canny badminton player with feathery hands to match.
Many describe this sophisticated player as one who thinks, and who eyes opponents’ weak points and pounds hard with stubborn fatigue retrieves.
The UAAP Season 74 Rookie of the Year bested this year’s batch of neophytes through his complimentary doubles play with teammates.
Showing adaptability throughout the season, Sibayan opened his doubles domination with high school partner John Kenneth Monterubio before finding a successful partnership with veteran Ivan Angsico.
Sibayan together with National University’s and RP teammate Joper Escueta racked fellow Green Shuttlers rookie tandem of Lance Bautista-Monterubio to dominate the Boy’s Double’s 19-and-under division of the 2012 Prima Pasta Invitational Badminton Open.
Given their 3rd place finish in this year’s tournament, many look forward to more improvements for seasons to come.

Honorable Mentions: Green Tracksters Gerald Layumas, Green Paddler Walden Shayne Ledesma, Green Woodpusher Jan Nigel Galan, Green Archer Arnold Van Opstal and Norbert Torres

Male Athlete of the Year: Green Tanker Johansen Aguilar

Johansen Benedict Aguilar made a big splash in the entire UAAP.
He is the season’s Athlete of the Year, together with Adamson’s softbelle Rizza Bernardino.
Aguilar, a consistent Dean’s Lister with a 3.51 GPA last term, also emerged as one of the eight UAAP Athlete Scholars because of his exemplary performance in academics and sports.
DLSU’s swimming sensation, who started swimming as a summer agenda, anchored the Green Tankers back to the championship, bagging the MVP honors and seven gold medals, while setting new UAAP and national records.
Aguilar reached 7th heaven by lording over the 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke, 50m, 100m, and 200m butterfly and the 200m individual medley events to amass 63 points out of the Green Tankers’ 262.
Aguilar first turned heads during the 72nd UAAP season when he was hailed Rookie of the Year, and has since carried on to dominate in the next seasons.

Honorable Mentions: Green Tennister Mike Basco, Green Trackster Patrick Unso, Green Jin R-Jay Del Rosario, Green Spiker Myco Antonio, Green Judokas Colin Nathan Buckley

Coach of the Year: Roland Kraut of the Green Tennisters

Behind every sweep in a collegiate tournament such as the UAAP is a mastermind that puts the pieces of the puzzle together to form the game plan.
For the Green Tennisters, the man behind their hard-earned UAAP Season 74 championship sweep is Coach Ronald Kraut.
The first Filipino to achieve the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Level 3, the highest coaching certification, Coach Roland mastered an adaptive and energetic coaching style while remaining neither a disciplinarian nor an over nurturer.
Instilled with a Lasallian brand of athleticism, Coach Kraut balances his approach to the tennisters; a father on court and a friend outside.
In his 14 years of coaching experience after playing for Taft in 1995-1998, he has managed to keep his team atop of the UAAP standings.
In this year’s elimination sweep to title Coach Kraut’s team copped the crown without a dominant Tennister against the rookie powerhouse National University squad.
Despite his excellent coaching background, this half-German coach only has simple rules.
Coach Kraut always tells his squad to keep three things in mind: hard work, belief in self, and belief in each other.
Three simple principles that applied on three consecutive attempts to chase the prize; the third try was a success as planned by Coach Kraut.

Honorable Mentions: Ruf Van Rosario of Animo Squad, Randy Segarra of Woodpushers

Female Athlete of the Year: Lady Spiker Cha Cruz

She might not have the lead in any statistical category, but her leadership and presence led the Lady Spikers straight to the top of the UAAP Women’s Volleyball.
Meet The LaSallian Female Athlete of the Year, Charleen Abigail Cruz.
Do not be deceived by this girl’s charm and smile, as her killer spikes have stunned many. As a veteran, Cha stands out as a leader in the team.
This season, she rally rounded the Green-and-White volleybelles to an immaculate 14-0 elimination round sweep to book an advanced seat in the finals en route to back-to-back championships.
Though other UAAP schools tried to give the Lady Spikers a run for its money, Cha never failed to deliver; she did anything when needed.
Her will to win, ability to lead her teammates, focus on the court, and versatility make her deserving of the title: ‘Ms. Everything’.
This Lady Spikers’ skipper can spike hard, set, block, and do pretty much everything in between.
Place her as an outside hitter, a middle spiker, or a utility and she still manages to earn points as if she was playing her forte position.
After ending a successful battle this season, Cha’s presence in games will be missed by the team and every Lady Spikers fan.

Honorable Mentions: Lady Woodpusher Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Lady Spiker Abigail Maraño, Lady Fencer Anna Gabrielle Estimada, Lady Archer Aracelie Abaca, Lady Tennister Regina Santiago, Lady Booter Hanna Maiya Ibarra

Most Improved Player: Lady Spiker Abigail Maraño

Way back Abigail Maraño’s rookie year as a Lady Spiker in UAAP Season 72, she was just a player who goes through the motion and delivers the middle hit when given the set.
Her rather lofty and inconsistent spikes showed promise to earn her a spot in the first six, but she was outshined by fellow rookie Joanne Siy, who was hailed as the top rookie.
The year after, she was again relegated to batch mate Michelle Gumabao, emerging from the bench becoming the season’s Best Blocker.
This year, however, is different.
The junior Lady Spiker bested all the UAAP volleybelles, being adjudged as the season’s Most Valuable Player.
The Don Antonio De Zuzuarregui Sr. Memorial Academy stand-out has garnered 71.6 statistical points, a point above her team captain as Maraño led the Taft-based squad, scoring with 192 points in the elimination round highlighted by 157 kills, 23 blocks and 12 service aces.
Notwithstanding her height advantage, Maraño completed her all-around game this season with a solid floor and backcourt defense while perfecting her trademark running and quick plays.
She also barged into the top ten of the digging and receiving category while remaining in the elite five of the attacking, blocking and scoring department.
Finally, after three years of hardwork, this year is Abigail Maraño’s year.

Honorable Mention: Green Shuttler JC Clarito, Lady Archer Trisha Piatos, Lady Booter Natasha Alquiros, Green Batter Carlos Laurel

Team of the Year: Lady Spikers 

Talk about being a powerhouse.
Everything went the way of the Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 74 Women’s Volleyball tournament.
Everyone saw how they fashioned a historic elimination round, boast the best net defense, exhibit an unmatched intensity and desire for a repeat.
Entering the season as the defending champions, it was without a doubt that the Ladies from Taft can be on the top once more.
Excellence seems to be the norm as the Ramil de Jesus-mentored Spikers boasts the cream of the crop with the Best Server and Rookie of the Year Ara Galang, Best Blocker in Michelle Gumabao, Season MVP Aby Maraño and Finals MVP Cha Cruz.
Despite the departure of Season 73 MVP Jacq Alarca and Steph Mercado, the Lady Spikers showed no signs of letting down as the veterans stepped up and new recruits performed way beyond expectations.
Rebuilding is not a problem as they hold prized rookies: top rookie Galang, Mika Reyes and Camille Cruz to rally the Lady Spikers for years to come.
With another championship added to the record books, the Lady Spikers looks to build a dynasty for years to come thanks to a plethora of players having the unmatched desire to win which hinders no roadblocks leading them to the best that they can be.

Honorable Mentions: Green and Lady Tennisters, Lady Woodpushers, Green Tankers, Lady Booters