Photo by Tim Arafiles

Anjo Gumila (Blue Judoka)

By Angelo K. Gayanelo

Dominance. That sums up the unbeatable human catapult that is Anjo Gumila. Having taken home UAAP gold in his freshman year, and the National Championship last summer, the “Juggernaut,” as he is called, is without a doubt the scariest thing in collegiate judo.

This six-foot brown belter is known for tossing more seasoned judokas to the wayside, and turning fully grown black belts into hapless victims.

His weapon of choice? The uchi mata—a devastating leg reap which sees off Anjo’s opponents upside down in the air, before slamming them on the mats with concussive force.

Having taken the UAAP Junior’s gold three times in a row, Anjo also won the Kid’s National Gold Medal, the Junior’s National Gold Medal, the Philippine National Gold Medal and his first Senior’s gold all before his 20th birthday.

With at least three more UAAP years to go, and a plethora of opponents to destroy, Alexander Sulit’s prodigy is far from reaching the pinnacle of his potential. The best advice one can give to Anjo’s future opponents? Be afraid.

Photo by Joseph S. Angan

Sean Tan (Blue Tanker)

By Dean V. Roxas

Not the jack of all trades but the master of one, Sean Tan is a vital cog in the Blue Tankers’ campaign for their first UAAP Swimming Championship.

Now in his junior year, Sean is what his teammates would call a specialist. While he has won medals in the most prestigious of events during his grade school and high school days, he is well-known for his specialty in one particular stroke—the breastroke.

In his UAAP debut, the Management Information Systems major proved once more that his genius in the breaststroke was not only a godsend in high school but in the collegiate level as well.

In his rookie year, Sean proved he could swim with the best as he nabbed medals in all three breaststroke events. Last season, he blew the competition out of the water during the 100-meter breaststroke for his first individual gold medal.

His expertise allows him to contribute heavily even if he only swims one stroke, especially in medley relays. Indeed, he doesn’t need to master all events to be a big-time contributor; he only needs to make one big splash. Quality over quantity—that’s Sean.

Photo by Ean L. Dacay

Dominique Publico & Allysa Balanzat (Lady Paddlers)

By Mateo L. Escueta

The arrival of new recruits and athlete-scholars, Allysa Balanzat and Dominique Publico, reinforce the Lady Paddlers’ ranks for the UAAP Table Tennis season this coming September

With holes left behind in the women’s team due to graduation, Balanzat and Publico are the newest acquisitions by head coach Floyd Lubaton, in a continual effort to strengthen the women in blue.

Balanzat has roots in the San Jose del Monte National Trade School in Bulacan. A provincial champion in the women’s doubles, she is a much-needed piece to help fill half of the absence of graduates and veteran doubles duo, Rhome Yu and Larisa Serzo.

Publico is from Trace College in Laguna. Despite being the reigning inter-school champion of the UP Los Baños Table Tennis Club, she nevertheless feels the nerves and elation any rookie would feel. Still, with veteran Nikki Taleon graduating, Nikki Publico’s arrival greatly aids the Lady Paddlers’ ranks.

As the 74th season of the UAAP dawns, and with the Ateneo hosting, these two will give us all a reason to be excited about table tennis.

Photo by Pia B. Guballa

Marina San Gabriel (Blue Babble Battalion Cheerleader)

By Manica C. Tiglao

Flyer Marina San Gabriel, also known as “Curly” or “The Girl with the Poufy Hair,” joined the Blue Babble Battalion’s 2011 summer training, and has since embarked on her transition from high school cheerleading to the bigger, grander stage that is the UAAP.

The freshman, however, can hardly be considered a rookie. Curly was recruited into the Team Pilipinas Cheerleading Squad in 2010—the same team that won the championship in the All-Girl Elite team division during the Southeast Asian Cheerleading Open held in Singapore.

An Ateneo neophyte but a seasoned athlete, she always tries to push herself to the limit, but never forgets that she’s a mere member in the team they call the Ateneo’s Sixth Man.

Having been part of two varsity teams in Poveda, in addition to her engagements with Team Pilipinas, Curly is no stranger to long hours of training. Like all great athletes, the skilled gymnast, dancer and flyer believes that versatility is her edge

Not only can she do most of Babble’s stunts, she’s also willing to learn new and more difficult moves. Watch out.

Photo by Tim Arafiles

Toby Gadi (Blue Shuttler)

By Niko P. Lim

Zero—the total number of losses Toby Gadi’s singles record has incurred throughout his two-season UAAP career. Never having lost a singles game in the UAAP, Toby is without a doubt considered the top gun of collegiate badminton.

Opponents are so overwhelmed by his dominance, that to score a single point against him would be the ultimate source of happiness. Such was the case when National University Bulldog, Jayson Oba-ob, let out a beaming smile as he scored his first point against Toby in their UAAP Season 73 bout. Though Toby went on to easily win the match, 21-8, 21-5, Oba-ob still beamed that joyous grin post match, awestruck by his firsthand experience against the nation’s best.

One—the current rank Toby holds in the Philippine Badminton Ranking System. Yes, not only does he peak the college ranks, he also holds the top spot in the Philippine badminton scene. What more, the Interdisciplinary Studies junior was able to complete this feat at the tender age of 18. And he’s been at it ever since.

Two—the number of seasons Toby will continue to play for the Ateneo. We’re not complaining. Neither should you.

Photo by Migi C. Soriano

Alyssa Valdez (Lady Beach Spiker)

By Aaron P. Valdez

Sophomore Alyssa Valdez will be one of the three volleybelles suiting up for the Ateneo Beach Volleyball Team this year, forming a troika with Bea Tan and Fille Cainglet.

Coming out of the UST High School, Alyssa is a highly prized recruit. Winning three straight volleyball championships in the high school division from 2007 to 2009 isn’t the end of it—she also won the MVP award thrice in her high school volleyball.

At least four UAAP teams vied for her talent, but her parents encouraged her to continue her volleyball career in Ateneo. Domination had to wait, though, as she sat out her freshman year due to league residency rules.

It was decided that Alyssa would be one of the Lady Spikers to participate in the UAAP Beach Volleyball tournament after a summer that saw her emerge as one of Shakey’s V-League’s premier players. With the team relying on her powerful spikes, she led the Ateneo to its thrilling championship over Adamson.

She and Tan took home the championship in a recently concluded beach volleyball tourney in Bacolod. With her skill, that one won’t be the last.