Tales of misplaced swag in collegiate sports

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ CJ Cansino was criticized not only by Ateneo fans but also by basketball fans for his taunting of the Blue Eagles’ bench and gallery during their game last Sunday, October 22.

While taunts and trash talk have always been part of the game, nowhere is karma faster than in sports.

Here are two other instances of taunting that backfired in local collegiate sports:

San Sebastian Stags

During the 2009-10 season, San Sebastian, behind its Pinatubo Trio of Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual and Ian Sangalang ended San Beda’s run of three consecutive NCAA titles with a finals sweep of 2-0. That was the year Sudan Daniel took over from Sam Ekwe.

The next season, the two schools met once more in the NCAA finals. When it seemed like San Sebastian’s reign would be over as the Red Lions blew them out 93-73 in Game 1, the Stags took to the court for Game 2 wearing shirts that said “NCAA All-Filipino Champions”.

It was a jab at San Beda and their foreign student-athletes. San Beda swept them and earned their revenge with Daniel named Finals MVP.

The next year, the two once more met in the finals. There was a twist heading into NCAA Season 87. Daniel went down with a knee injury in the preseason, and that meant San Beda was going to play all-Filipino.

Both teams won one game apiece during the elimination round. They both finished 16-2 and figured in the top-seed playoff, with San Beda winning. In the finals, the Red Lions swept the Golden Stags to end the Pinatubo Trio’s college career on a sour note. 

San Beda got back with an even bigger jab by proclaiming themselves as “All-Filipino Champions”.

National University Lady Bulldogs

During Season 76 of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, NU was making all sorts of noises about challenging for the title.

Why not? They had Dindin and Jaja Santiago, Ivy Perez, Precious Salibad, Rizza Mandapat, Aiko Urdas, Desiree Dadang and Myla Pablo.

In their very first game of the season, they defeated the Alyssa Valdez-led Lady Eagles, 3-2, while displaying massive doses of swag, with Pablo memorably dancing in front of the Ateneo team.

In the second round, it was more of the same, with NU prevailing, 3-1. NU finished as the second seed (with La Salle topping the elimination round).

The Lady Eagles finished third and had to go through the step-ladder format. They dispatched Adamson, 3-0, in the first round. They then got back at NU, which owned a twice-to-beat advantage with a pair of 3-1 wins.

In the locker room, the Lady Bulldogs were scolded for their misplaced swag.