Valorant: Pinoy-loaded Team SMG begins Game Changers Championship campaign | ABS-CBN

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Valorant: Pinoy-loaded Team SMG begins Game Changers Championship campaign

Valorant: Pinoy-loaded Team SMG begins Game Changers Championship campaign

Mark Demayo,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Nov 28, 2023 05:11 PM PHT

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Team SMG. Handout/Riot Games.
Team SMG. Handout/Riot Games.

MANILA -- Team SMG will battle in the opening day of the 2023 Valorant Game Changers Championship in São Paulo, Brazil on Tuesday (Wednesday morning, Manila time).

They are composed of Filipino players Alexy "Alexy" Francisco, Kelly "shirazi" Jaudian, and Camille "Kamiyu" Enriquez, Odella "enerii" Abraham and substitute player Ryona "tarathiel" Shannen Tan from Indonesia, and in-game leader Abigail "Kohaibi" Kong from Singapore.

North American organization Evil Geniuses, one of the NA region's representatives and recent winner in their region's qualifiers, will be their first opponent in the second match of the day.

EG's roster includes Filipino-American Lorrian "Lorri" Elad, who plays the initiator role. She previously reached the grand finals during the 2022 edition of the tournament with Shopify Rebellion, but fell short against eventual champions, G2 Gozen.

The Singapore-based organization solely represents the Asia-Pacific region in the premiere Valorant tournament for women and marginalized genders on its second edition.

They come into the tournament with a winning streak since the start of the year and emerging victorious from the recent APAC Elite Qualifiers, currently racking up a 34-0 record.

The eight teams competing in the tournament will battle for the lion's share of the $500,000 prize pool.

The Team SMG and Evil Geniuses match can be watched at Valorant Esports' Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook pages at 4am Manila time.

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UAAP: De Jesus tips hat to Lady Bulldogs, Meneses — ‘Very solid yung NU’

UAAP: De Jesus tips hat to Lady Bulldogs, Meneses — ‘Very solid yung NU’

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

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The National University Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87. Photo from UAAP Media.The National University Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — De La Salle University head coach Ramil de Jesus had a front row seat to National University's display of their prowess on Sunday, as the Lady Bulldogs opened their title defense with a victory.

The Sherwin Meneses-mentored team got one over de Jesus and his Lady Spikers, with NU sweeping La Salle on Sunday.

The veteran coach was admittedly in awe of the impressive performance of the hitters from Jhocson Street.

“Very solid yung NU,” the multi-titled coach commented. “Kumbaga, kilalang-kilala nila yung isa't isa. Yun ang isa sa mga strengths nila. Dahil sa tagal nila magkakasama. Alam nila yung weaknesses, and alam nila yung strengths.”

De Jesus also commended Meneses who took over the spot that NU’s former tactician left, Season 86 champion mentor Norman Miguel.

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“Happy ako para sa kanya, kasi halos lahat ng team na napuntahan niya, maayos and buo,” said de Jesus. “Yung pinapasok niyang sistema unti-unti nang nakukuha.”

Meneses’ system would be crucial for the present core of Lady Bulldogs as they have won two championships since 2022, with Bella Belen and the rest of the squad winning Season 84 with Karl Dimaculangan and just last year with Miguel.

However, de Jesus emphasized that the main foundation of this success -- aside from their coaches -- is the solid volleyball program of NU from high school to the collegiate ranks.

“Actually, yung NU, hindi lang naman yung Season 84 eh,” he said. “Since sa high school, magkakasama na yun. So, magtagal na talaga sila magkakasama.”

“Advantage talaga na yun. And then, alam din nila kung paanong hindi sila mara-rattle. Alam nila kung sino yung go-to-guy talaga, so very solid yung NU,” he continued.

And this, acknowledged de Jesus, is a design that is very challenging to sustain.

“Every year nag-evolve yung volleyball eh,” he said. “So, ang challenge ngayon eh, kung kayang maka-adapt nung, lalo na recruitment kasi yung problema eh.”

“Pag medyo active ka sa pagre-recruit, and then yung lahat ng Class A na player yung makukuha mo, advantage yun.”

“Pero kung makakakuha ka ng Class B, napakahirap i-develop, and then isabay doon sa Class A? Mahabang proseso yun,” added de Jesus, who is now on his 28th year as Lady Spikers head coach.

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