dawning on me: June 2008

Ok, i feel like the biggest loser for being at the right place but at the wrong time. You see, i'm a hardcore volleyball fan and being in Japan and staying for a year is something other fanatics would kill for. Yeah, i was there when the Italy, Brazil and USA dominated the World Cup 2007 and got the first three tickets to the Olympics, but it was not enough. It was just the start of the volleyball season. I had to come back home and to cut the story short, i missed the most important matches prior to the Olympics and will miss the ever popular FIVB World Grand Prix 2008, of which the finals will be staged in my dear old YOKOHAMA. bad. bad. bad. If only I had the option to stay a little bit longer.

look at what i've missed

(WOQT: Japan vs. Poland)

Japan hosted the FIVB Women's Volleyball World Olympic Qualifying Tournament last May17-25 in Tokyo. And yes, my predictions were right. Though I wanted team Japan to top the competition, finishing with Serbia and Poland on the same ground and getting that much-coveted ticket to Beijing is good enough for me. haha It went like this. Japan demolished Poland, Poland sweeped Serbia but Serbia blocked Japan to tie their standings at 1-1. So much rivalry, so much pride. After all, these teams are ranked 7th (Serbia), 8th (Japan) and 9th (Poland) in the world. Together with Kazakhstan as the tournament's best Asian team next to Japan, they complete the volleyball list for the Beijing Olympics.

Here's the complete list (from fivb.org):

Women's Olympic Games 2008
Qualified Teams

1. China (host country)
2. Italy (1st World Cup)
3. Brazil (2nd World Cup)
4. U.S.A. (3rd World Cup)
5. Algeria - Africa
6. Kazakhstan - Asia *
7. Russia - Europe
8. Cuba - Norceca
9. Venezuela - South America
10. Poland (1st World Olympic Qualification) *
11. Serbia (2nd World Olympic Qualification) *
12. Japan (3rd World Olympic Qualification) *

* The Asian Continental Qualification Tournaments were played combined with the World Olympic Qualification Tournaments in Japan
COQT = Continental Olympic Qualification TournamentWOQT = World Olympic Qualification Tournament

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's go local.

When the world had its eye on Japan, I had mine on local collegiate volleyball. The 1st conference of the 5th season of the Shakey's V-league had kept me glued on the boob tube every afternoon. So now, i know the new faces of Philippine volleyball. Wink!

Right after UAAP Season 70, I have to admit, I became an FEU convert. (Go Shaira! Go Chel! Go Abanto!) haha But a big surprise at the opening of the Shakey's V-league left everyone in doubt, FEU sported a technically new team with more than half of its champion team out for the conference. Out of the seven, including their libero, only three were left; Gonzalez, Morada and libero Taganas. I really didn't expect them to place and true enough, they didn't. But I have to commend their efforts and fighting spirit. Young as they were as a team, they managed to pull off several 5-setters with the more experienced teams (e.g. Lyceum and Ateneo) and actually won games for themselves. Hintayin nating huminog ang FEU, they'll be a deadly team to watch out for.

Obvious bang FEU fan ako? haha Anyway, fast forward. After I dropped my hopes for FEU, I was for San Sebastian all the way. I cheered for the Visayan teams (USJR and USLS), but, no, I'm a Lady Stag for this conference. Even more, when they announced that their former Thai import, Jaroensri Bualee will be back to play for them. Plus, I'm in awe of their quicker, Rysabelle Devanadera and their libero, MJ Pepito. They were my team to beat, I even gambled with my brother who was for Adamson, 'coz we both expected an Adamson-San Sebastian final clash way before the final four was decided. But lo-and-behold, something happened on the way to the finals. Underdog Lyceum of the Philippines stopped Adamson and Ateneo bested San Sebastian to force a double knock-out game. It was suddenly Adamson vs. San Sebastian / Lyceum vs. Ateneo. And true to their winning form, Adamson and Ateneo kissed the championship court leaving San Sebastian and Lyceum fight for 3rd. In the end, Adamson wanted it badly more than Ateneo, and won Game 1 and 2 of the best-of-3 finals match. As for my Lady Stags, they went home with the 3rd Place trophy after 2 duels with Lyceum.

Adamson Lady Falcons, Shakey's V-League 5th Season Champions

List of Awardees (from v-league.ph):
Best Scorer:13 BOTO, Beverly - Lyceum of the Philippines University
Best Attacker:7 JAROENSRI, Bualee (G) - San Sebastian College
Best Blocker:8 SORIANO, Ma. Rosario - Ateneo de Manila University
Best Server:7 BENTING, Angela - Adamson University
Best Digger:6 GATA, Lizlee Ann - Adamson University
Best Setter:5 SERAFICA, Janet - Adamson University
Best Receiver:5 PEPITO, Mary Jane - San Sebastian College
Most Improved Player:8 SORIANO, Ma. Rosario - Ateneo de Manila University
Most Valuable Player:11 BAUTISTA, Neriza (G) - Adamson University
Most Valuable Player For Finals:11 BAUTISTA, Neriza (G) - Adamson University
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One season down, more to come! Hello Olympics! :) See yah there!