Third Day: UP Floorball League

Blue Fire Sparks and TLZ even out at 0-0

Ylanan Gym, UP Diliman - The match between the Blue Fire Sparks and TLZ started with aggressive offensives from both teams. A few minutes into the game, Blue Fire Sparks pushed the TLZ into the latter's court. Timothy John Mora and JP Bonifacio then attempted to score, but were thwarted by TLZ's defense or missed the goal by a few inches. Lou Marvin Diaz and Izza Cortez from TLZ effectively deflected the ball away from their court at the last minutes of the game, ending the first period in a draw.

The second period started evenly, with the ball played at both courts. TLZ's Michelle Robles and Mimi Mabanta kept Blue Fire Spark's forward's at bay, preventing further attempts to score. Goalkeepers Neil Astrologo and Nathan Tarcelo, from TLZ and Blue Fire Sparks respectively, continuously blocked any balls that got past their team's defenses. Further scoring attempts by Drew Esguerra and TJ Mora from Blue Fire Sparks were rendered unsuccessful by TLZ's tough defense.

After an intense game, the match ended in a draw. The excellent defenses from both teams prevented all attacks from both teams' scoring attacks. It was a match of equals in terms of strength, defense and gameplay.

On August 11, Blue Fire Sparks will be challenging Superfly at 11:30, while TLZ will face Stick-O at 12:30. Will these teams finish the season as unequaled rivals? Find out the next League day!

Article by Ray Ming
Photos by Nate Tarcelo

Sixy dominates first half, topples Mighty 300
By Liam Canlas

Ylanan Gym, UP Diliman - Sixy used a dominating 3-0 first half performance to defeat the Mighty 300 and secure their first win of the season.
The game started on a sour note for the Mighty 300 as Redbert Maines was sent off the court by the 1:06 mark due to a High Stick violation. Sixxy was quick to take advantage as Dan Rasgo scored his first career goal at 2:00. Rasgo’s presence was not only felt on offense as his aggressiveness on both sides of court was key in limiting the Mighty 300’s possession of the ball. Joshua Paunil later scored at 8:00, while Caezarina Idul made sure that Sixxy closed the half strong with a goal at 9:45.
In the second half, Sixxy stretched the lead even further as Idul once again scored 50 seconds into the half off an assist by Paunil. Down by 4, The Mighty 300 went to their veteran core of Bullet Ribaya, Redbert Maines and Jeff Castro for scoring as Ribaya scored at 15:20, while Maines got their second goal at 17:30 off an assist by Castro. But Paunil scored again at 18:00 to bring their lead back to 3. With two minutes remaining, the Mighty 300 managed only one more goal as Ribaya took advantage of a pass by Castro at 19:45.
Penalties slowed the pace of the game early on as three high-stick violations were called including the Violation that sent Maines off the court for two minutes. Two hand-ball violations were also called. Sixxy’s Eric Gelido recorded 7 saves while the Mighty 300’s TJ Ablaza had 5.

On August 11, Mighty 300 will be challenging the Badass Boomslangs at 12:00, while Sixy will meet Blades of 4ury at 11:00.

Blades of 4ury down Stick-O, gains top standing
By Jomax Bagasao

The Blades of 4ury remain unbeaten as they down Stick-O 4-1 in the 3rd Season of the UP Floorball League last Saturday at the College of Human Kinetics Gym.
Coming off from a fresh victory, the Blades led by power duo Luis Manila and Marco Ortiz got to a fiery start as they used their speed to break the defence of the Stick-O’s. Their efforts seemed futile as the Stick-O’s put up a great wall, blocking passing lanes and preventing the Blades to make clear shots. However, the Blades managed to keep control of the ball due to the Stick-O’s erratic plays. It was midway through the first period when the Blades saw openings and began to exploit it. Ortiz, with the help of a short pass from Miguel Dimacali, made a one-timer quick enough to elude the pesky defence of Stick-O’s goal keeper Liam Canlas putting the Blades 1-0 ahead.
The defence of the Stick-O’s continued to falter allowing the Blades to attack the goal. Canlas stood his ground defending the multiple attempts of Manila from the left wing. But an error on handling the ball proved to be costly as Manila was fast to push the ball and score.
With less than a minute remaining in the first period, a jumping violation was called on Sid San Pedro costing the Blades to be handicapped by one player for two minutes. But Manila demonstrated his agility as he navigated his way through his defenders and scored a power play shot at 9:40 putting the Blades in a comfortable lead of 3-0.
Despite being handicapped the Blades continued with their aggressive play and ball control. And with just one minute clocked in the records, Manila was able to move his way through the court scoring his first hat trick of the season. Ahead 4-0, the Blades maintained their momentum as they kept on attacking the goal keeper of the Stick-O’s. Canlas became steadier and showed his true prowess as he blocked every ball that came his way.
Errors on ball passing and violations committed by the Stick-O made it easier for the Blades to keep the ball on their side. The goal by rookie Nimuel Diones at 18:04 was a little too late as the lead was too big to overcome.
This dominant win by the Blades of 4ury puts them on top of the standings with an unblemished 2-0-0 record while the Stick-O’s drop to the bottom with a 0-2-1 record.

Watch out for this two teams on August 11 when Blades of 4ury will face Sixy at 11:00, while Stick-O will challenge TLZ at 12:30.

Ramos accomplishes hat-trick of hat-tricks as Superfly defeats Boomslangs
By Redbert Maines

For the third consecutive time in the 3rd Season of the UP Floorball League, Ralph Andrew Ramos scored thrice in a game. Ramos’ stellar performance was more than enough for Superfly to defeat the Badass Boomslangs.
The game started rather slowly for both teams, no small thanks to their defensive efforts, as each fought to find space for a chance at the goal. Ramos’ got the first taste of the goal as the got through at 4:26 mark to start his remarkable game. The Boomslangs’ defense started to break down. Less than a minute afterwards, Superfly wingman Joco Navarro managed to catch a pass from Ramos at 5:05 to score his first goal of the season. Ramos followed this at 6:42 with another unassisted goal. The first half ended with Superfly with an advantage of three goals to nil.
The second half saw unsuccessful efforts towards the goal from Boomslangs’ star forward Tata Cabillas. His aggression to maintain the ball cost him a high-stick violation at 11:10. The defense was ably led by Saldio Amador and Nathan Nogales, who stood as a field player for the first time. Superfly once again got the rhythm with another goal marking 15:31 as Navarro’s, this time coming off from his own. To complete his hat-trick, Ramos came off with another shot at 18:19 which went pass through the Boomslangs goalkeeper Royce Corrige. Sweetheart Baz of the Boomslangs created their team’s lone goal for the game at 18:42. The game ended with Superfly’s downing the Boomslangs impressively with a final score of 5-1.
Bryan Bautista wore the helmet for Supefly and saved three attempts from the Boomslang whose goalkeepers, Myk Villanueva defending the goal thrice in the first half and Corrige blocking shots six times in the second half.
Follow these teams on August 11 as Superfly will battle it out with Blue Fire Sparks at 11:30, while Badass Boomslangs will face Mighty 300 at 12:00.