Want more action from watching your favorite ballgame?

Want to be really up close to the action?

Or you just want more from your newly installed hi-definition large-screen TV?

Well, you can stop wanting as a new dimension comes to your TV sets this June 11.

ESPN will be launching their 3D programming this year.

And with a World Cup soccer match (South Africa vs Mexico) at that.

The network has actually been testing their 3D capabilities for some time now. And come June they will officially be the first three-dimensional television network. They have so far identified about 85 live sporting events scheduled for showing. Initial plans are that they will have no reruns. Consequently, this means the screen will be blank or dark when there are no event scheduled for showing. But that would probably be only until they get more programs in their schedule.

Included in the events they already have slated are NBA games, Collee Football, College Basketball and the Summer X Games.

Oh, and to add to that news… Discovery has announced that they too will go 3D this year. Now imagine all those sharks, lions, tigers and crocs charging through your screen.

Discover will be partnering up with Sony and IMAX for the 24×7 channel.

It was a weekday, and a Friday at that. But somehow, I still found myself in the arena sidelines for that day’s scheduled game. For some reason, I felt a bit weird being there alone without my regular cohorts. 

The first game stirred up excitement as the lady eagles leveled the match in set two. But the lady tamaraws made all necessary adjustments in their gameplay and took the next 2 sets to secure their victory.

Fille Cainglet, Charo Soriano, Dzi Gervacio, Bea Pascual and the rest of the Katipunan belles displayed notable performances. But that day really belonged to the ladies from Morayta as they effectively countered most of the scoring attempts from the girls in blue. Rachel Daquis led action for the lady tams’ scoring crew together with Shai Gonzalez and Numay Vivas.

FEU won over ADMU in 4 sets 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-19

The second game appeared to have been a repeat of the recent NCAA championships as San Sebastian routed Saint Benilde in a 3-setter. The lady stags led by Elaine Cruz, Margarita Pepito and Joy Benito took advantage of the seemingly hapless plays coming from the lady blazers. Only Katty Kwan, Giza Yumang and Charmaine Velez appeared to have been effective for CSB in that game.

SSC won over CSB in 3 sets 25-21, 25-19, 25-14

The games ended sooner than I’m normally used to that day. But it didn’t seem to matter that much, as I was sure things are going to heat up more and be better for the rest of this season.

I might have been too excited as I arrived at around 12nn for an event that was slated for 2pm. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that I wasn’t alone. As a matter of fact, ahead of me was already a rather long queue for tickets which as early as that went around to the back of the arena.

Unlike during opening day for the 1st season, there was no special program to kick-off the start of this season. In a way, that was actually better. It meant that start time was game time!

The first match had the Adamson University (AdU) lady falcons going against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) tigresses.

This season’s current beach volleyball champions Lizlee Ann Gata and Angela Benting both played major roles in driving the efforts from the Lady Falcons’ side. But with regulars like Aiza Maizo, Maika Ortiz, Rhea Dimaculangan and Hanna Mance; the ladies from España controlled majority of the match. Very good performances were also seen from comebacking Angeli Tabaquero and rookie Maru Banaticla.

UST won over AdU in 4 sets 25-18, 17-25, 25-17, 25-16

The second match was between the Far Eastern University (FEU) lady tamaraws and the University of the Philippines (UP) lady maroons. Everyone all had their respective supporters watching and cheering their teams. Even the recently injured Jed Montero of the UP WVT was there helping out the coaching team.

The ladies from State U bravely stood their ground. But the lady tamaraws were unwavering as they claimed the match in 3 straight sets.

FEU won over UP in 3 sets 25-13, 25-23, 25-16

There were some confusion due to changes made with the original schedule. But I think what is out right now is already final. Anyway, I’ll have the latest schedule, standings and game results up on this site as part of the new mini update and news feature.

They’re baaack!!!

The teams from the country’s premiere intercollegiate volleyball league for women resume play starting this coming Sunday. The second conference for the 6th season of Shakey’s V-League will kick off in it’s regular home court at the Filoil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The following are the teams that would be participating for this conference:

• Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons
• Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles
• College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Lady Blazers
• Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws
• Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Lady Pirates
• San Sebastian College (SSC) Lady Stags
• University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons
• University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Tigresses

Below is the schedule of games for the first week.

October 11
2pm – UST vs AdU
4pm – FEU vs UP

October 13
2pm – AdU vs LPU
4pm – UP vs ADMU
6pm – UST vs FEU

October 16
4pm – AdU vs UP
6pm – LPU vs UST

Largely due to ongoing preparations for the incoming SEA games, teams are limited to only one guest player this conference.

It’s really exciting to see what adjustments each team has undergone since the break. All the teams have changes from their previous line-ups. Some teams have new guest players. And some even have new team captains.

But regardless of all the changes, for sure fans would still be there… ever present and supportive of their respective favorite teams. As I would be as well.

See you during the games!

Top basketball leagues in the Philippines both professional and collegiate, have slated a one-day special charity event for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

Spearheaded by the country’s major basketball organizations like the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Philippine Basketball League (PBL), Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Liga Pilipinas, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the fund-raising affair is dubbed as Pinoy Basketball: Kakampi Nyo!

It will be held on Monday (October 5) at the Araneta Coliseum. And there will be two charity games featuring all-star selections from top teams belonging to the participating leagues.

*5pm – 1st game
UAAP/NCAA Selection vs LIGA/PBL Selection
*7pm – 2nd game
PBA Powerade National Team vs Smart Gilas National Team

The PBA-backed national team was our contingent to the recent Tianjin Asian championships; and was also our bet for the world championships in Turkey for 2010. While the Smart Gilas national team is a developmental squad that will vie for the 2011 Asian Games; hopefully eyeing a possible slot in the 2012 Olympics.

Aside from the proceeds of the game, the basketball community (fans, players, coaches, etc) is also encouraged to donate useable footwear for the benefit of the typhoon victims. As a matter of fact, entrance to the upper levels is free but donating your old “but still usable” rubber shoes or slippers will be greatly appreciated.

TICKET PRICES:
Ringside/Patron – P200
Lower Box – P100
Upper A – P50
Upper B & Bleacher – FREE