The 3rd Jobslympics

It was a warm and heat Friday for the participants and visitors at the Evergold Gym.Every team was hoping to achieve in this event.The Red and Green Team.

“To UNITE to CONQUER”  that’s the theme of this year’s Intramurals.

The Diploma in Computer Technology 1 ,2 and Sunday School And Diploma in Events Management were Red’s.And Green’s are the Diploma in Multimedia Design Animation 1 and 2,Bachelor of Business Management and Information Technology.

It’s starting Opening Ceremony with lightening torch by Student Council’s President Mark Kenny James Lim.Followed by Pledge by Ms. Jaica Florida.After that “Lets the Game Begin!”

The first Activity was the Cheerdance started by the Green team.Unfortunately, not immediately turned Red team perform due to technical problem with audio.But still continue the performance by Red Team.

After Cheerdance, the Dance sports perform by 2 participants of Red team and 1 from Green team.It was emotionally-act performed on 2nd round on Red team.Both of 2 teams are cheering for their team.

The 3rd is the Dodge ball where challenging and skillful followed the 3 games:Basketball,Scrabble and Darts.In basketball, The Red Team has won with the score of 34-32.And the MVP is Pimentel.

The afternoon events was the Badminton,Dance craze and Wacky Race.On wacky race was skilled games for every participants and the students enjoyed for that.

And the final is the Awarding Ceremony were Red and Green team are hoping that they are won.

The result of the Activity and Winners are:

Cheerdance: Green Team

Dance sport:

Runner-up:Red Team(Leineth Cayetano and Jomarie Ramas)

Champion:Red Team(Arman June Visabella and Ricmyr)

Dodge ball:Red Team

Basketball:Red Team

MVP:Pimentel

Scrabble:Red Team(Vanessa Jovero)

Darts:Red Team(Jonathan Ramas)

Badminton:Red Team(Danilo Go)

Wacky Race:Green Team

And Overall Champion is RED Team..Congratulations and hope next sports fest will Become enjoyment and prosperous.

Kadayawan at its best in Davao City

At the Start of 3rd week of August the people of Davao City is exited in much awaited Kadayawan festival.The visitor’s are gently come at the Durian city to watch a colorful and enjoyment scene.The malls are were lot more activities that  the people were populous in that sites.If I were shopping at the mall,there’s a discounts in their sales and the famous actor and actresses that can seen in television,national television rather and the folks shouting and over the joy that expected his or her idol was come seen in personal.

  

Between the shine at morning and rainy at Evening,the people of Davao still enjoy in that celebration under of this situation.

 

 

Next Year,the celebration still enjoy and if  can it just, more strides in improving satisfaction to be felt still the people of Davao are happy.

You, what can you say about Kadayawan in Davao?

Premier Skills helping Botswana to get ahead

How the Premier League’s lead international initiative is changing lives in Botswana

On Saturday, Botswana will continue their attempt to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for only the second time in their history when they face Mali in the first leg of qualifying.

“The Zebras” may have never played in the FIFA World Cup but they have been on the rise in African football and were the first country to book a place in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Aiming to stop them qualifying for the tournament in South Africa in January are a Mali side with a strong Premier League influence – Fulham’s Mahamadou Diarra and West Ham United’s Modibo Maiga are in the squad.

Botswanan football too is also feeling the benefit of the Premier League’s assistance with a scheme to ensure that the country’s improved elite ranking is replicated at grassroots level.

Success story

Premier Skills, an international partnership between the Premier League and the British Council, operates in 20 countries around the world and develops community coaches and referees so that they can pass on their knowledge and expertise to others.

The initiative has been going for five years, in which time more than 350,000 young people have benefited from the programme, while 1,500 community coaches and referees have been trained.

Botswana is one of the Premier Skills success stories and with the help and support of the Botswana Football Association, the programme has completed the final Phase Three where newly trained coaches who have come through the scheme begin to coach new trainees.

You can watch a video feature on how the programme has changed lives for Batswana (as people of Botswana are called) by clicking on the photo at the top of this page, and here, two Premier Skills coaches describe what impact the initiative has made on them.

What have you learnt from Premier Skills and how are you able to impart that knowledge to the community?

Fatima Sedimo: I have been involved with Premier Skills since 2009 and I have learnt a lot. As a teacher to the mentally challenged and the physically disabled I have learnt how to include life skills within training sessions. I have found it very easy, even with the most severely disabled children, because Premier Skills has taught me to work from simple to complex and how to use different equipment to suit different levels of learners.

Barobi Nwako: I have learnt that football is not just a game but a tool that we can all use to teach to the community. I have learnt to run community projects through football and to teach my players some lessons on life skills.

What do think of Premier Skills and how it is affecting the community? 

Barobi Nwako: It has helped us a great deal. I have attended a few courses on coaching but on how to use football on the pitch . My eyes have been opened as Premier Skills has taught me how to use football to reach out to the community and to spread different messages on life skills through football.

What has it been like as a Premier Skills champion passing on the knowledge to new coaches?

Fatima Sedimo: It has been a wonderful experience. The response was positive. Botswana is a small country and we have few skilled coaches but Premier Skills is helping to increase that number which will help our communities back at home especially the ones in the remotest areas.

How do you think the children have responded?   

Barobi Nwako: It’s wonderful, it’s awesome. It was our first time working with them but everything was superb I’d say. The first day is a challenge but I have enjoyed being with them.

What do you think of the Premier League and its involvement in communities like Botswana? 

Fatima Sedimo: It is a wonderful because they have taught us many things and made us into coach educators. We are going to transfer the education they gave us to our brothers and sisters and there are courses going on around the country that after a year or so will be all around Botswana.

Is the Premier League popular in Botswana?

Barobi Nwako: Everyone is supporting Premier League teams. We support Arsenal, we support Chelsea, and we support Wolves. It’s amazing the way we support the Premier League teams.

Fatima Sedimo: Yes, because of Premier Skills it has become very popular, everyone asks about it and wants to become engaged in it. Botswana football is very proud of the Premier League.

‘Ang Huling El Bimbo’ gets whole trending to the filipino in Mid-’90’s

  Most of all people relate of this song because of its will happens in life of a person especially in lovelife.therefore, sometimes repeat about 3 times a day about this song.The Filipino says that the Eraserheads is the best bands of the year 1996.

“Maski bata man o matanda, makasasabay ito.Ito na siguro ang pambansang awit ng Pilipinas ”

-said the one person before who loves this song.

Even for me,when I was young when I heard this song before I emotionally crying because though I understand the song, and as I mature I have my feelings because of this song.This song has Content of the story of   3 children that go to the house of a woman to teach them to dance Boogy and Cha-cha.Later,one boy fall in love on the girl.After many years,they never met with the news that her son but no wife.She worked at Ermita.But suddenly,the dark cames he found that She accident in the dark alley.

That’s how the the story shows love and loneliness of one Person.

For you, what can you say in this song?

A Good Jessie that have I meet

Like the the other person,I compare to this person in Late President Magsaysay,He is a man of masses of Naga city

Was born on May 27, 1958 at Naga City.He is the 3rd of 5 siblings of Jose Chan-Robredo Sr. and Marcelina Manalastas.

He studied elementary at Naga Parochial School a private Catholic school where he began to hone his talent and love for chess.The school was known and had established a record for winning Bicol’s annual province-wide chess tournament and Robredo’s brother had been among its champions. However, when it was Robredo’s turn to represent his school, he only garnered second place.

He entered high school at Ateneo de Naga University in 1970 and was in junior year when President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in September 1972. The university administration immediately called an assembly and warned its students against getting involved in anti-government activities – which could result in the school being closed down.

In 1980, Robredo worked for the San Miguel Corporation in Mandaluyong City, in the Physical Distribution Technical Services of the General Services Division, and within six months, Robredo had hurdled two of the three levels in the division and was then sent to the finance division for another six months.

When Robredo’s immediate superior transferred to Magnolia Ice Cream, San Miguel Corporation’s ice cream division, he was invited to come along. He was assigned to logistics planning and concurrently functioned as staff assistant to the physical distribution director.

In 1986, Robredo returned to Naga City, where he became Program Director of the Bicol River Basin Development Program, an agency tasked to undertake integrated area development planning in the three provinces of the Bicol region.

He obtained his undergraduate degrees in Industrial Management Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at De La Salle University. He was later accepted as an Edward Mason Fellow and graduated with a Masters of Public Administration degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1979. In 1985, Robredo finished his Masters in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, as a scholar and was named the Graduate School and Faculty Organization awardee for scholarly excellence. The Far Eastern University bestowed Robredo with a doctorate in Humanities, honoris causa, during its 80th commencement exercise held at the plenary hall of the Philippine International Convention Center on April 4, 2008, recognizing his efforts to develop Naga City.

As he backs at the Naga City, he ran and elected as the Mayor in their city in 1988 at the age of 29.

He is the youngest mayor in Philippine history. His three terms as mayor ended on June 30, 1998.He was again elected as City Mayor in 2001 and finished his second three terms on June 30, 2010. He served for a total of nineteen (19) years as Naga City Mayor before being appointed on July 9, 2010 as Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Robredo was able to transform Naga City from being dull and lethargic to being one of the “Most Improved Cities in Asia,” as cited by Asiaweek Magazine in 1999.

During his time in city hall, Robredo was credited for “dramatically improved stakeholdership and people participation in governance, in the process restoring Naga to its preeminent position as premier city of the Bicol Region. In 1995, in recognition of his skills and competence as a leader and development manager, Robredo was elected President of the League of Cities of the Philippines, the national association of city mayors. Robredo also chairs the Metro Naga Development Council. He served as chairman of the Regional Development Council, the regional planning and coordinative body of Bicol’s six provinces and seven cities, from 1992 to 1998.In recognition of his achievements as Naga City mayor, Robredo was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2000, the first Filipino mayor so honored.

From June 30 to July 9, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III was Secretary of Interior and Local Government, until Aquino named Robredo as Interior Secretary.At least two politicians from Bicol, Luis Ortega and Luis Villafuerte, Sr. expressed opposition to Robredo’s confirmation by the Commission on Appointments of which Villafuerte himself was a member. In March 2012, the Commission on Appointments bypassed Robredo’s nomination.He is Loving Father also in his family.He finished all the assignment  in his job.

But suddenly,On August 18, 2012 , the Piper PA-34-200 Seneca I aircraft (registered RP-C4431) carrying Secretary Robredo crashed off the shore of Masbate City. He was scheduled to go home and watch his daughter’s swimming competition in Naga City. The Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government said that the pilot sent a distress call to the Masbate airport requesting an emergency landing. The plane never made it to the airport and crashed in the sea. His body was retrieved three days later, August 21, 800 meters from the shore and 180 feet below sea level.

His funeral was held on Archbishop’s Palace in Naga City before it was transferred to Malacañan Palace for an official wake on August 24, 2012. His remains were later brought back to his hometown, Naga on the early hours of August 26. He was cremated on Tuesday, August 28, 2012.

On August 27, 2012, it was announced that Philippine President Aquino would confer the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Chief Commander upon Robredo on August 28, 2012, just before the state funeral.

For me he is my good father,hero,public servant, and Man of Filipino.

The Filipinos loves watching NBA

It has been a long-standing and somewhat inexplicable love affair, Filipinos and basketball. Statistically, Filipinos are, per capita, probably the most passionate NBA fans in the world, whether it’s online, on television, on cable or in the sports pages. The most active SMS users in the world (second only in volume to China whose population is more than eleven times that of our little archipelago) also patronize the league actively in terms of mobile content.

 

For over three years, Rafe Bartholomew (now one of the most gifted talents of Grantland.com) studied the phenomenon on the ground. His being American and a skilled player helped open a lot of doors for him, and his humorous, voluminous study “Pacific Rims: Beermen Ballin’ in Flip-flops” actually became the third-best selling book in the Philippines in 2010. His tome was topped only by the “Twilight” series and “A Purpose Driven Life”. Consider the fact that the former was a multi-part series supported by movie tie-ins, and the latter a self-help set that had been around much longer, and you’ll realize how powerful that book on basketball was.

Still, a truly concrete explanation has yet to be found for this incongruous passion between a race whose males average about 5’8″ in height and a game which evolved into the playground of giants. Why is it that vertically challenged people like us are so doggedly determined to master a game played by behemoths?

First, even before the NBA was born, the United States used the educational system to ferry basketball into our bloodstream from the late 1800s onward. The young sport was originally snubbed as not being masculine enough – believe it or not – and was first played by girls here. In addition, many parents didn’t want their boys playing it, like the father of 1936 Berlin Olympian Jacinto Ciria Cruz, who hid all his son’s pants so he wouldn’t be playing hoops out in the street. Also, in the early days there were only two regulation courts in the entirety of what is now known as Metro Manila. One of them was at the old Manila YMCA, where SM Manila now stands.

Until the early 1990’s, US military facilities (particularly Clark Airbase in Pampanga), were the primary source of live NBA action. The faint, hazy early-morning signal emanating from the 800-foot elevation of their tower was water for thirsty roundball fans 90 kilometers away. Many of us lost a lot of sleep trying to keep track of Magic, Bird and Jordan just to get our fix. Some bought bootleg videotapes of NBA games just to have a tangible piece of the league.

The infiltration into schools gave the sport a good start, but other sports were introduced, too. So why did basketball become the passion of this nation? Aside from the fact that we naturally gravitate towards many things American, basketball appeals to the innate artistry of the Filipino, and the NBA is its highest art form. Older Filipinos used the words abilidad (natural talent) and diskarte (creativity) a lot. Even without much formal training, Filipinos latch onto the finer points of the game, particularly in terms of freelancing. We are probably the most inventive players of the game below the net, and dream of doing that above the rim, as well. That’s probably one reason why there is a very strong Boston Celtics Philippines club following.

Basketball may be a team sport, but it also allows for a “star” player to shine. Even in the Philippine music industry, bands reach a certain height of fame, but solo performers (many who come from those selfsame bands) skyrocket when they’ve left their bands. Basketball is like having a five-man band playing jazz, making things up as the go along, or it seems. Locally, we had pros who couldn’t dribble with their left hand, but survived because fans could relate to them.

And speaking of relatability, NBA players took advantage of their basketball gifts to get through school (well, most of them) and earn a very good livelihood. It is a dream of many of the impoverished in the Philippines as well. It’s like hitting the genetic lottery if you were born above six feet tall or able to drain three-pointers. Some call it the aspirational value. To the NBA’s credit, despite the supposed weaker buying power of the Philippines, the league has been very active in promoting itself and its stars in the country, from its NBA Madness to the NBA Asia Challenge and even player visits sponsored by athletic shoe brands Nike, adidas and Reebok. And Filipinos are very loyal fans.

But perhaps one little-known fact that almost all Americans are unaware of ties us into basketball and the NBA even more closely. The game was originally inspired by a children’s game very close to one of our own.

“Tumbang preso” is a street game that has been played by tens of millions of Filipinos for over a century. Basically, a bent tin can is placed in a target zone, and the goal is for one team to get past the defenses of another and knock the can down by flinging their rubber thing slippers at it. When James Naismith was looking for inspiration for the new winter sport he was asked to invent, he harked back to a Canadian cousin of tumbang preso he had grown up playing. It was called “duck on a rock”. The rules were similar. The difference was that the can was placed on an elevated place (a rock) and they used stones to knock it down. Naismith purposely wanted an elevated goal to avoid contact. Of course, he had no control over how the game would evolve now, did he?

So think about it. The shared history of millions of children in the Far East and North America, fused into a flowing, creative game originally invented as a winter escape. Maybe subconsciously, we know this, and that’s why we love basketball. And that’s why we love the NBA

Reyes praises Gilas resilience after vengeful win over Iran

TAIPEI – Smart Gilas-Pilipinas survived a couple of missed free throws down the stretch and the late surge by Iran to hack out a thrilling 77-75 win on Friday as it kept its championship bid alive in the 34^thWilliam Jones Cup basketball tournament at the TPEC gym.

The Nationals botched four free throws in the final 31 seconds – including three in a row – and then held their collective breath as veteran Mehdi Kamrani missed a potential game-winning three-pointer in Iran’s final play before finally celebrating the hard-earned win.

“Hindi dapat dikit, but we missed two open lay-ups, and four free throws,” said an obviously relieved Gilas coach Chot Reyes.

The victory created a three-way tie at the top at 5-1 among the Filipinos, the defending champion Iranians, and the US team – a 77-66 winner over Jordan earlier – with two playing days left in the tournament being held in honor of the late former Fiba secretary-general.

The Nationals, who lost 91-72 to Lebanon in their previous outing, take on the host team on Saturday at 7 p.m., before capping their campaign with a 5 p.m. game against the Americans on Sunday.

The team with the best record after the tournament will emerge champion.

Marcus Douthit was back to his dominant self with a team-high 22 points and 10 rebounds, while the Rain or Shine pair of Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan added 17 and 12, respectively, for the Nationals, who dealt the two-time defending champions their first loss of the tournament.

The Nationals enjoyed lead of as much as 63-51 early in the fourth and were protecting an 86-81 edge with 31 seconds to go when they began missing their free throws.

Douthit flubbed a bonus gift shot, Ranidel de Ocampo bungled two, and Chan only had a split, 77-75, with seven seconds to go that opened the door for a possible game-winning shot by Iran.

But Kamrani muffed a desperation three-pointer that sealed the Philippines’ second win in three Jones Cup meetings with Iran since last year’s 73-59 victory in the preliminaries.

“Tapos na sana ng maaga, but it’s really different when you’re playing with the name of the country on your jersey. That’s something we have to learn and get used to,” said Reyes, who finally won over the Iranians after losing to the same team then bannered by Hamed Hahhadi and coached by Rajko Toroman, 75-69, in the first round of the 2007 Fiba-Asia Men’s Championship in Tokushima, Japan.

Held to just three in the first half, Samad Bahrami exploded for 23 points in the last two quarters, including six in a row as Iran made it a 76-75 game.

“Iran is a tough team. They never die, very physical, and warriors. But we showed the heart of our team and how far we can go,” said Douthit.

For the second straight game, PBA commissioner Chito Salud watched and supported the Nationals from the gallery section, joined by chairman Robert Non, vice-chairman Mon Segismundo, Talk `N Text Board member Patrick Gregorio, and PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial.

Lampard: Premier League ‘the best in the world’

The start to Frank Lampard’s 18^th season in the Barclays Premier League could hardly have been better as the Chelsea midfielder converted a penalty in his side’s 2-0 victory at Wigan Athletic on Sunday.

 

The 34-year-old is the highest-scoring midfielder in the competition’s history, the only player to have managed double figures in goals in nine consecutive seasons and last season he became one of only six players to have passed 500 Premier League appearances.

Lampard is set to make his 523rd League appearance this evening at home to Reading as Chelsea look to build on their winning start to the campaign and attempt to add to the three League titles Lampard has helped them win.

The England international’s 2011/12 season was bookended with trophies. He won the Barclays Asia Trophy with Chelsea in July 2011, before lifting The FA Cup in May and then adding the one major club honour missing from his collection: a UEFA Champions League winner’s medal.

Speaking exclusively before the start of the 2012/13 season the 34-year-old looked back on the drama of last season’s campaign and modestly reflected on his legendary status in Premier League history.

He reveals how Chelsea became united to become European champions and how he almost left these shores to play abroad.

 

“”All the way down the League teams are improving

and have something to fight for”

–Frank Lampard

 

Exciting finale

How exciting was it to be a part of last season?

Frank Lampard: It was amazing. If you wrote it as a movie script no one would believe it. It just shows how competitive the Premier League is.

What’s the footballer’s take on Sergio Aguero’s injury-time winner that sealed the title for Manchester City – are those last-ditch goals about guts or luck?

FL: You need a bit of luck – every team does. We had some at Chelsea last season, but you have to keep believing and Manchester City never gave up. They pushed and pushed and got the reward. Aguero is a class player and with strikers like that in your team things can happen for you any time in a match.

Was it the most competitive season you’ve played in?

FL: For me personally it wasn’t, because we weren’t where we wanted to be in the League. Not to be challenging for the title and focusing on the two cups we eventually won changed the emphasis at Chelsea. Six teams competing for the top places made it harder than ever and it will be tougher again next season. Manchester City will be strong, Manchester United are always the benchmark and you can’t underestimate teams like Arsenal or Liverpool. It’s great for the League to have so much strength.

 

Chelsea’s victory in the UEFA Champions League ensured England were the top performing European league for the fifth year in a row. What makes the League so strong?

FL: It’s tough as there’s no easy games, no simple three points as all the way down the League the teams are improving and have something to fight for. Other leagues in Europe have top teams but I feel we have more strength in depth and more top players from around the world.

What was the secret to Chelsea’s Champions League win?

FL: It’s common knowledge we had some shaky times last season, but once the managerial change came there was a fresh unity – like the Chelsea of old. We all felt part of the campaign again and we wanted it badly – we always have. Players that are used to winning things don’t give that up easily. It’s about big players and determination.

 

‘Best league in world football’

Last season was the Premier League’s 20th. You’ve played in 17 of them – what has changed on and off the pitch in that time?

FL: So much has changed in my time. The TV influence is huge and it has taken the English game to such new levels with interest around the world. This has allowed teams to grow and attract the best players and they have helped raise standards and training techniques, which now leave us with the most interesting and, for me, best league in world football.

How proud are you of what you have achieved in the Premier League?

FL: When I signed for Chelsea I wanted to win things for my club. Having done that, personal achievements are great to have – but they’re just stats. It’s all about trophies. I’m part of a team and if I can break records to help my team I’m doubly happy.

 

What is your most memorable experience in the Premier League?

FL: When I scored the two goals against Bolton that won Chelsea the League for the first time in 50 years. Wow, that was something, even thinking back to it now. The reaction of the fans was unreal.

 

Drogba great

We said goodbye to Didier Drogba at the end of this season. He has been a wonderful ambassador for the Premier League, but what are your memories of your long-time teammate?

FL: Didier is a great player and a great man and he will always be a friend. We get on really well. He’s a winner and a decent human being and he does such tireless work for charity.

What about the next generation of Frank Lampards? Do you think we will see more home grown players coming through Chelsea’s training ground?

FL: Cobham is a great facility and I feel we have a good, fresh generation of young coaches working with our players. Everything is set up for the youngsters and Chelsea and I hope we bring through lots of great players.

What will be your memories of being part of the Premier League’s history?

FL: I love playing in the Premier League. It’s no secret I nearly went to Italy with Jose [Mourinho] and I would have liked to have seen what it was like playing in a totally different league. But I’ve no regrets as the Premier League is watched all over the world and it’s great that people enjoy what we do. To play in the Roman Abramovich years at Chelsea has been incredible. He gave us the chance to challenge for all the honours and it’s been a real pleasure.

one of Azkal Players joins the 1st Division of German Bundesliga

 

Philippine national men’s football team member Stephan Schrock will be playing at the top echelon of German football after signing a three-year deal with Bundesliga first division squad TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, according to a report on the league’s official website.

The 25-year-old Azkals member had spent the past eight seasons as a member of the first team of SpVgg Greuther Fuerth, which currently sits atop the standings in the second division of the Bundesliga. Last month, Schrock helped the club make a Cinderella run to the semifinals of the DFB Pokal, Germany’s top Cup competition.

Ironically, Fuerth defeated Hoffenheim in the quarterfinals of that tournament.

Schrock missed Fuerth’s semifinal match against defending Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund due to injury.

“I’m very much looking forward to the challenge at 1899, who have made a name for themselves on their way to becoming an established side in the Bundesliga. I can take the next step in my career here,” Schrock told the Bundesliga site.

“Stephan Schrock was a prime transfer target of mine. He has all the qualities that a modern day defender needs to have. In signing him we have gained the necessary substance and will have more alternatives in our defensive department for the future,” said Hoffenheim coach Markus Babbel.

While Schrock is deployed as a defender in the Bundesliga, he played the midfield for the Azkals in three matches last year.

NCAA Standings: San Beda roars back to No. 1

1. San Beda Red Lions

(Overall record: 8-2; Last week: 2nd)

Entering the second round in a three-way tie for the top spot, the Red Lions were the only team that took care of business this week, pounding the Lyceum Pirates, 77-47, behind a season-high 16 assists from Baser Amer and 17 points from Jake Pascual.

Despite the loss to San Sebastian near the end of the first round, San Beda is starting to look like the steadier team. In their last three wins (against JRU, Letran and Lyceum), no team has come closer than 22 points. And that gives them the solo lead in the NCAA standings and great position moving forward in the second round.

2. Perpetual Help Altas

(Overall record: 7-3; Last week: 4th)

Perpetual got back to its winning ways against Saint Benilde this week, bouncing back from an upset loss to Arellano at the end of the first round. The Altas have had a lot of close calls against lower-ranked teams in their last few games, including this one where they let a 15-point third quarter lead dwindle down to one point with a minute and a half remaining.

That’s not a great sign for the Altas. But what is a good sign is that they got the ‘W’ – which puts them three victories ahead of their closest pursuer for the last spot in the final four.

3. San Sebastian Stags

(Overall record: 7-3; Last week: 1st)

San Sebastian suffered upset losses in two of their last three in games that probably say more about them than about their competition. There’s no doubt the Stags have a great on-court product, but one has to wonder about their motivation to continue competing at a high level at this point, especially reigning Most Valuable Player Calvin Abueva, who was drafted by the Alaska Aces in the PBA Draft last Sunday.

To top things off, they’ll have to deal with the surprise resignation of coach Topex Robinson, who will focus on his duties as part of the Aces’ coaching staff.

4. Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers

(Overall record: 7-3; Last week: 4th)

After closing out an impressive first round with losses only to San Beda and San Sebastian, JRU disappointed this week, falling to the Arellano Chiefs. The JRU defense, which held opponents to under 80 points in seven of their first eight games, has allowed 83 and 85 in the last two contests.

On the plus side, the scoring has been high of late – the Heavy Bombers are averaging 91.5 points in the two games since San Beda held them to a season-low 37 earlier this month – but they’ve had a lot of success keeping the scores low and it’s interesting to see how this plays out for them in the coming days.

5. Mapua Cardinals

(Overall record: 4-5; Last week: 5th)

The Cardinals stayed idle this week, but things are looking up for them after winning back-to-back games to close out the first round. Defense has been leading the way for the Cards in their current streak, holding San Sebastian and Arellano to 54 and 49 points, both season-lows for Mapua.

In fact, all four of their wins this season happen to be the games where they allowed the least amount of points. They lost all five games in which they allowed more than 63 points, and are 4-0 when allowing 63 or less.

6. Arellano Chiefs

(Overall record: 4-6; Last week: 7th)

Arellano picked up a big win this week, knocking off the favored JRU Heavy Bombers, 85-82, behind big performances from Rocky Acidre, Nard Pinto and James Forrester who all had 16 or more points.

The Chiefs have defeated higher-ranked Perpetual and JRU in two of their last three games, but they’ll have to defeat the teams in the lower half of the standings if they want to keep this run going. They’ll get the chance for that this week when they play EAC on Saturday’s playdate.

7. Letran Knights

(Overall record: 4-5; Last week: 6th)

The mysterious disappearance of center Raymond Almazan has apparently been solved with the 6-foot-7 Mythical Team member sitting behind the Letran bench in their game against San Beda and expressing a desire to suit up in the second round in spite of his going AWOL in the last six games.

His return will be a huge boost for the Knights’ campaign. They aren’t out of the final four race yet, but they do have a lot of ground to make up. And it’s unclear whether Letran coach Louie Alas will give Almazan his regular minutes back – or even whether he should.

8. Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals

(Overall record: 3-7; Last week: 9th)

The Generals pulled off the upset of the season when they toppled the powerhouse Stags, 77-67, behind strong efforts from Russell Yaya, Igee King and, of course, Noube Happi. Even more impressive? They did it without two of their guards, Francis Munsayac and Jorem Morada, and coach Gerry Espalana who were all out serving one-game bans.

Many have harped about their record not being indicative of how well they play because they’ve lost a bunch of games that could have easily gone either way. Looks like they’re out to prove that right now, and that deserves a small bump up the Power Rankings.

9. College of Saint Benilde Blazers

(Overall record: 3-7; Last week: 10th)

Carlo Lastimosa made his return to the Blazers this week, dropping 23 big points and leading a big fourth quarter run against the Altas, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the Perpetual, 78-74. The suspensions to Joel Tolentino (three games) and Rhoel Maconocido (one game) hurt, as they could have used a little extra lift in what turned out to be a winnable game against a final four contender.

The Blazers have a long way to climb if they still want to make a run at the playoffs, but things are looking much more difficult after this tough loss.

10. Lyceum Pirates

(Overall record: 2-8; Last week: 8th)

The Pirates got trounced by 30 points this week, and though it’s tough to be too hard on them for that – it was San Beda, after all – the fact is they’re still in the middle of a five-game slide where only one has been in single-digits (an eight-point loss to San Sebastian).

Two of the losses were by 30 or more while the other two were by 10 and 14 points. They need to do a much better job staying in games if they want the opportunity to grab a win, like they did in back-to-back games against EAC and Mapua earlier this season. Otherwise, they could find themselves in this spot for a while.