Pinoy College Hoop Wars Underway

July 14, 2012 marked the first time UAAP and NCAA games were aired on national TV on the same day. Wonder why? Here is what happened.

Shortly before the NCAA began its 88th season on June 23, they signed a new lucrative contract with the Associated Broadcasting Corporation, better known as TV5, to air its games through the AKTV block on IBC 13. Under the new contract, the seniors games will be aired on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 4-8 pm. Looks like a smart move for Manny V. Pangilinan, isn't it?

Under previous coveror ABS-CBN, NCAA games were aired mostly on Wednesdays and Fridays only, with most, if not all Monday games aired only during the Final Four and the Finals. With the arrival of AKTV, they were able to air all games at the aforementioned days. The only prominent game they did not cover so far was the now-famous San Beda-Arellano game. That game saw the six-player Red Lions team, decimated by player suspensions, upset the 15-man Chiefs team on June 24. 

The move to AKTV also rescinded the NCAA's previous commitment to host its games at the state-of-the-art Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, with logistical problems cited for the decision. The new schedule put up by AKTV would be in conflict with most of the UAAP schedule, which plays its games on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. And because most of the NCAA games played host to sparse crowds, hosting a game at the MOA would be costly as well.

The UAAP's 75th season just got underway today, with National University, this year's host and whose owner Henry Sy bankrolled the construction of the MOA Arena, blowing out the University of the East by over 30 points. Far Eastern University then escaped past the University of Santo Tomas after trailing by as much as 12 points in the second game. Meanwhile, a pair of blowouts in the NCAA today saw Arellano University and San Sebastian College defeat Lyceum of the Philippines University and Jose Rizal University, respectively.

Aside from the MOA, the UAAP will host select games at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum and the PhilSports Arena for the first round alone, mostly for non-marquee games. The Ateneo-La Salle game, perhaps the one game both school's fans encircle on their calendars, will be at the MOA on July 28. 

The first ever basketball game at the MOA was held on July 7, when the PBA hosted a Governor's Cup semifinal game between the B-Meg Llamados and the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters. 

Every Thursday and Saturday, from July to October, there will be no ratings war. Instead, for college hoops fans, this will be a time to switch channels more often to watch some of the future pros slug it out on the hardwood and make an impact. Whether rooting for the highly physical NCAA or the more glamorous UAAP, fans are looking forward for this opportunity to cheer loud and proud. 

Is WWE Leaving Solar?

Last Thursday, many Filipino wrestling fans were expecting a new episode of WWE Raw on Jack TV, a Filipino cable network owned by Solar Entertainment. However, instead of a new episode of Raw, a drama series (which I wasn't able to see) was aired in lieu. Several hours later, Jack TV posted this explanation:

Then earlier today, ABS-CBN, through its UHF channel Studio 23, posted a spoiler video hyping a possible move of all WWE programs (Raw, Smackdown and pay-per-views such as WrestleMania) to their network. You may check the link here on Studio 23's Facebook account. 

The said network has been airing WWE Superstars since 2010, a program Solar wasn't able to pick up, and the possible move of Raw, SmackDown and the pay-per-views to ABS-CBN is a sign that Solar, especially Jack TV, is attempting to replace WWE programming with more reality, drama, suspense and action programs. Also affected will be the supplementary WWE programs aired on Solar Sports, such as Vintage Collection, NXT, AfterBurn, Bottomline, among others. It is unlikely that ABS-CBN will pick up WWE's supplementary programs, due to the full lineup of Studio 23's programs, nor will it be aired on Balls, due to the said network's orientation to the unscripted Ultimate Fighting Championship. 

We'll keep you up to date on the possible move or renewal in the coming weeks.

Metro Files: The Scouts Area, Quezon City

The Scouts Area near Diliman, Quezon City were named after the Philippine delegation of the 11th World Scout Jamboree, who were perished in a plane crash near modern-day Mumbai, India. The area encompasses Barangays South Triangle, Sacred Heart, Laging Handa, Paligsahan and Obrero, and borders Barangay Kamuning and West Kamias in the southeast, Roxas in the southwest, West Triangle in the northwest, Santa Cruz in the west, and Pinyahan in the east.

The most recognizable landmark is the rotonda in the intersection of Timog Avenue and Tomas Morato. It was originally built in memory of the Boy Scouts who perished on the way to Greece in 1963, and was later topped by the statue of former Quezon City mayor Tomas Morato. The stretch of T. Morato from Kamuning to Timog is stacked with restaurants of all classes, whether for economical or formal means. Some restaurants are also located within the residential communities. 

The tip of T. Morato faces the ABS-CBN broadcast center, which surrounds the triangle of Mother Ignacia, Sgt. Esguerra and Eugenio Lopez Streets. The latter street was originally named Scout Albano, but was later renamed after the ABS-CBN founder.

Rival station GMA occupies the intersection of EDSA and Timog Avenue, extending to the  Samar Avenue and GMA Network Drive. The latter street was originally named 11th Jamboree, until recently when the portion of the street from Timog to EDSA was renamed after GMA Network. The recently opened GMA Network Studios was built near the GMA Kamuning MRT station.

Roces Avenue is also a major artery in the Scouts Area, where its most recognizable landmark is the Amoranto Sports Complex. Named after another former Quezon City mayor, the Amoranto hosts sports events, but is best known for the annual staging of the Pulp Summerslam, where Pinoy rock fans convene to witness a concert featuring local and foreign rock acts.

Two hospitals are also located: the Dr. Jesus C. Delgado Memorial Hospital at Kamuning and Roces Extension, and the Capitol Medical Center in Quezon Avenue, Scout Magbanua and Panay Avenues. Three hotels are also located: the Hotel Rembrandt in Tomas Morato, the Century Palace Suites in Timog and Tomas Morato, and the Camelot Hotel in Mother Ignacia, Scout Tuason and Eugenio Lopez streets. 

The Scouts Area is mostly residential, and is occupied by first and middle class residents. The Scout Borromeo stretch from Tomas Morato to Sgt. Esguerra, however, has been occupied by squatters for an eternity.  If only there's a way to demolish the squatters area, then the Scouts Area would've been a healthy residential community to be reckoned with.

Now why don't you check out the Scouts Area in Quezon City and see the meaning of first and second class living all in one room.