1st Week of March - Part 1 - {revised}

Nutshell Images from Several Playdates

{A Random Mix in Monochrome} 


I'll definitely Insert a few more JPEGs /Fill-In the "gaps"
 {in-between images} in this feat 
by Tuesday evening

INTRO

Monday seems to be the only day of the week when I'm not to be found in a stadium or arena [indoor or outdoor], shooting a Volleyball, Basketball or Football Match.  That's been pretty much the "trend" for me the past months.

This period of the year, when the few remaining UAAP Events wind down into their Semis, and Finals {Championship} Stages -  It does Get Exciting - The intensity in the competition goes to a higher level.

For some high school seniors, 'twill be their last time to play for their beloved alma maters [assuming they just might transfer to a different one come college].   For some college student-athletes - It'll be they're last, ever, opp to win a championship [as young amateurs] and give Honor and have the rare Opportunity of graduating with UAAP [or NCAA] Gold - {The Ultimate Accolade/Badge of Success as far as College Sports is concerned}. 

Only a very select, very lucky few will actually have that once-in a-lifetime Privelege. Conversely, also a select few will eventually experience the dreaded heartbeak of finishing with Silver [on one's final playing year].

No Wonder Emotions are at their HIGHEST come Crunch Time - When Teams/Individual Athletes go through "Win-or-Go-Home" / Semi-Finals -Knockout or "Winner-Take-All" / "No Tomorrow"/  "One Chance is all ya Get" -Championship Matches.

The first seven days of March had me witness several UAAP teams knocked out in a semis match, and a Defending Champion being dethroned, and obviously seeing a New Champion take over.  There are still two UAAP Championship Trophies waiting to be won - and possibly, by the 21st of February - the UAAP will have crowned to Champion Teams again.  Lets' Wait and See.

------------ 

Winning, and Losing athletes, and some of their Die-hard Fans are always Overwhelmed with Emotion - after knockout or Championship Matches - {It's either they end up shedding Tears of Joy OR Tears of Heartache and Frustration}  - That is simply the way things Go.

In my case, the past week - Ive been "overwhelmed" with JPEGs to tweak, and choose from - and being someone who simply does not rush things, when it comes to this blog - and considering that I do make the extra effort to craft a lot of B-t-Scenes images, besides action ones .......

 ...... I've decided, for now - to try condensing pictures from the first eight days of March, seven of which, had me shooting a random number of basketball, football and volleyball matches.  I WILL post several more blog entries, dwelling on a particular match or two {from any of the seven playdates} or a random theme, related to sports.  We'll see.
I like to play it by ear.

- "Ayoko lang ikahon lagi and mga blog entries ko" -  Gets ??

I'd like to mix and match my images from different playdates - and still impart accurately, albeit spontaneously, what I witnessed {or even felt} during those matches I covered - Hopefully, with a certain "spin", or "angle" to keep the "untraditional character" of this blog, or WHATEVER makes this blog what it IS.


Anyway , Here's where I went and took pictures - the past week

March 1 - Sunday 
{ Rizal Stadium }
UAAP Mens' Football - Semi-Finals
De La Salle Knocks Out Ateneo
FEU Tamarraws knockout the UP Fighting Maroons


March 3 - Tuesday 
{ SMART Araneta }
KIA Carnival beats the Alaska Aces
San Miguel Beer beats Barako Bull Energy


March 4 - Wednesday 
{ SMART Araneta }
UAAP Mens' Volleyball Championships - Game #1 {Best-of-Three}
Ateneo Blue Eagles beat the Defending Champion NU Bulldogs
UAAP Womens' Volleyball Playoffs
NU Lady Bulldogs beat the De La Salle Lady Spikers

March 5 - Thursday 
{ Rizal Stadium }
UAAP Baseball Championships Game #1 {Best-of-Three}
Ateneo Blue Eagles defeat the De La Salle Green Archers

March 6 - Friday 
{ Ynares Gym - Philsports Arena - Meralco Gym }
Day 1 of the NBTC High School Championship Matches


March 7 - Saturday 
{ Ynares Gym - Meralco Gym }
Day2 of the NBTC High School Championships 

{ Mall of Asia Arena }
UAAP Mens Volleyball Championships - Game #2 {Best-of-Three}
Atenso beats NU to win the Championship
UAAP Womens' Volleyball Semi-Final {Knockout} match
De La Salle elimenates the NU Lady Bulldogs to advance to the UAAP Finals


March 8 - Sunday
 { Meralco Gym }
Final Day of the NBTC High School Championships

{ Rizal Stadium }
UAAP Womens' AND Mens' Football Championships {Winer-take-All Matches}
FEU beats UP to Win the Womens' Crown
FEU beats DLSU to Win the Mens' Crown

March 1

My Buddy - Mark Cristino

with his Weapons of Choice  - 

entered the Rizal Pitch , during the DLSU-ADMU knockout match with 

"Guns Ablazin' !

 My Nephew - Nace Gonzales

[who once seriously Wanted to Quit the Team !

 Truth be Told -about two years ago]

has now - after the the Ateneo [1-0] loss to DLSU
 a very rare opportunity to win a UAAP Gold Medal

 Ace

Clear !

March 3

My Media Buddies - Czar, Kevin, and Josh

share a light moment inside the PBA Press Room.

  

 Slamma' Jammas

James Damon [#5] scores 25 for the Alaska while

 PJ Ramos drills in 36 for Kia as the Carnival beats the Aces by 4 [103-95]

Baseline Move

Beerman Arwind Santos eludes Barkao Bull JC Intal

March 5

 Eagle Pride
Defending the Crown, Blue Eagle Chip Esguerra does his part

Archer Pride

 The DLSU batters sing their alma mater song.

March 6

The NBTC High School Championships 

Commence with a Formal Ceremonial Toss.

 At the Ynares Gym

 At the Phil Sports Arena

  

At the Meralco Gym

March 7

3-on-3 Competitions commence at the Meralco Gym

[three images follow below]

Before I leave for the Mall of Asia Arena

I manage a few shots inside the Ynares Gym

[three images follow below]

I arrive at the Mall of Asia Arena

with enough time to spare.

Marck Jesus Espejo

accomodates a pre-game interview

 Tears of Joy

I'm happy for you Coach Oliver.

Now , You know How IT Feels.

Me, I  can only compose & shoot.

Congrats Coach !

 What price Victory ?

Despite the Lady Bulldogs' gallant efforts, and with their Ace Spiker/Leading Scorer Ara Galang  having just sustained a delibitating injury in the 4th [and deciding] Set - the Lady Spikers prevail.

 Couldda, Wouldda, Shouldda ?

Just a Game Away From the Finals {Again!}, the Lady Bulldogs lose their Bite when they need it the most - Jaja just can't hold her tears back.

" Nakakatense !"

[Lady Eagle fans - above]

[Lady Bulldogs bench - below]

 Shock !!!

 Disbelief

I never bothered to look at the MoA replay of Ara Galang's FALL cos I was busy trying to capture the initial eaction of this particular Green Archer fan. {2 images above}

March 8 [and March 1]

Fighting the Pain 
Cristina de los Reyes helps out team mate Marie Navea-Huff

Fighting Maroons, Fighting the Tears

Carlos Monfort

Sabrina Nierras

Jinggoy Valmayor
 Tearful Farewell

After leading UP to Two UAAP Championships {in years previous}, sadly, Jinggoy Valmayor and the Fighting Maroons are knocked out by the Formidable Defending Champions FEU Tmarraws.

I manage from a discreet angle as Jinggoy delivers his farewell speech to his 
fellow Fighting Maroons.

Gio Diamante
 Gotta Let It Go

Gio Diamante has the honor of drawing First Blood in his Final Game, as an Archer - and it seems that, in those short lived moments after his goal which put La Salle ahead {1-0} over FEU Might Just Be ! the One that Eventually Wins DLSU the Gold,  that is of course ----

----- IF NOBODY score again, in the Remainder of the 1st Half and the
 Whole of the 2nd Half ! - But, We all know too well - What ensues after.


PS
Yes, Gio's Goal could have Gotten the Gold for the Green Archers -
- and MAYBE, that's what made things more Bittersweet

brosi gonzales