My Second Visit to Cam Sur

Aug. 13-14

Here are some random images

 [Which I took -- FYI, except for the Aerial Photographs]

 from my second visit to Cam Sur.

Senator Pia Cayetano, with her adopted son, Lucas.

- The family that "Tri"s Together, Stays Together -

Mr. Ton Gatmaitan [left] and Mr. Rick Olivares [right]

flank Anthony Pangilinan and his 4 children.

The World Class Iron Man, Leo Oracion [Mt. Everest !!] [in green],
stands alongside Mark Zambrano [GMA 7] [in white],
Rick Olivares [bleachersbrew.blogsot.com] [Business Mirror] [in grey],
 and two of Mark's crew.

Thanks a million, GRACE, for E-mailing me ALL THESE AERIAL SHOTS.



Last year's Iron Man Cam Sur 70.3 Winner, Pete Jacobs [Australia].

Also this year's.

brosi gonzales

Bumping Into Boom

Of all Places - In the Bathroom

Since way back January 2009 when I took my first ever digital photos of a UAAP game [Opening day match-up between UE and Ateneo -- UAAP Season 72 Football Tournament], I've made a lot of friends and acquiantances in the UAAP.  From coaches, writers, bloggers, athletic directors, PTs, strength trainers, fellow photographers,  TV Anchors -- from utility men like "Hapon" of FEU, to University Athletics Directors like Edwin Reyes of DLSU Taft, courtside reporters like Riki Flores and Andy Recto - there's Direk Abe from ABS-CBN, Editor Jun Lumibao of The Business Mirror, and [how can I not mention] veteran sports photographers August de la Cruz and Jun Mendoza,  or Sportswriter Mr. Rick Olivares [who not only got me into the UAAP Basketball media pool but also got me into the Cam Sur Iron Man 70.3 and the Azkals' matches around the archipelago]  --  soccer players, basketball, softball, and volleyball jocks  -- the list seems endless.  Feeble hellos, high fives, small talk, congratulatory remarks, long intimate conversations, business talk -- whatever --  for me, there's no such thing as "walking the walk" or "talking the talk"  -- I'm just being friendly  AND trying to do my job well [taking good photos, that is].

Great action photos AND equally interesting behind-the-scenes images are what I try to create.  -- and when I have my SLR slung on my shoulder [on and of the courts or playing fields] I try to be alert so as not to miss moments that other people, more often then not, might deem "insignificant".

I took photo below just a few moments just after I bumped into Boom Gonzalez sometime June of 2010, at a comfort room in the San Juan.  I intro'd myself, made a simple acquiantance, gave him my business card, and clicked my SLR.  Now, how often does one do that - make an acquiantance and "document" it with a photo ?

 

This dude's been a radio jock for several years - nowadays one can tune into 89.9 every morning at 10 when he's on board with Mia in "In Demand".

He also co-hosts "Hard Ball' and anchors UAAP basketball matches .

Boom's covered several NBA Championship Finals Series too --

but -- Would ya believe ? -- his first ever job was in a bicycle shop.

Now . . . how do I "bump into" Angelicopter ?

brosi gonzales

Breaking Away From A Tie

Aug.11, Thursday

The Tigers vs Archers match at 3 p.m. last Aug. 13 was officially the last seniors match of the 1st Round.  Interestingly, both teams had identical 3-3 win-loss cards, going into the game - so the winner would obviously be a game ahead of the loser -- entering the 2nd Round of hostilities -- scheduled for Aug.13, the following Saturday.

DLSU dominated the first two quarters, continued to control the third, and the early part of the 4th.  UST clawed it's way back slowly, never giving up, and kept everybody at the edge of their seats until the last few seconds.

August 11, 3:00 p.m.
The last game of Round 1 commences.

Early on, La Salle dominated.  They kept the Tigers out of synch  --

and try as they did, [as in the vernacular] ,  -- "hindi makaporma ang UST".

The Growless Tigers were Huffin' and Puffin', Pido's boys were always a step behind.

Pumaren's boys, on the other hand, even displyed some nifty moves --

like this acrobatic drive by Archer Olan Tampus in the 2nd Quarter.

As I recall, Tampus made 2 back-to-back drives sometime in the 2nd Quarter.

And both resulted in twinners.

Dazed and  . . .

.  .  . and confused were the Tigers.

-- Gang Green --

Andrada, Marata, and Torres stop Espana's

Fortune Cookie, Jeric Fortuna, in this First Half UST thrust.

Coach Jarencio had no time for humor this time.

UST's campaign was a disaster in the making -

His boys simply couldn't execute effectively.

At least, they had a full half to recover.

There are some disasters, though, that can't be helped.

The Tigers came back growling in the 2nd half but they had to spill

their guts out just to make any headway.

Go USTE !  The UST Faithful never doubted their teams' ability to cut into

 La Salle's once formidable lead  --  and cut it down, they did, 

 even threatened to tie or even take the lead.

Growling Tiger Jeric Teng never said die.



In the end game Karim Abdul was a man possessed. 

 He rebounded, scored putbacks, and blocked.

This humble rookie, constantly verbally [I'm talking about under-the-belt type of language here] abused\insulted by the La Salle faithful under their goal [where I was positioned during the 4th Quarter]  knew his composure/mental strength was being severely tested -  and managed to

lead the UST charge to play his best game for UST to date.

 Was this his breakout game ? I say Yes.

He top scored for UST with 21 points.

Although DLS eventually held on to win the game by three [74-71]

  I knew that my friend Karim had won the challenge to outdo himself --

 after all, isn't that what real sports is all about ?

-- Always doing your best -- and taking it to the next level ?

brosi gonzales



Fearsome Falcons

Aug.11, Thursday

Staying Close at Second Place

On the last playdate of the 1st Round, Coach Leo Austria made sure his boys would not suffer the same fate as the Tamaraws the week previous, Aug.4, Thursday, when the "lowly" Maroons humbled Bert Flores and his charges.

On paper, no doubt, the Falcons had the firepower, and the experience. No secret who the first options were for Adamson -- Nuyles, Alvarez, Camson, Colina, Lozada.  Inside and from the perimeter, early on, the San Marcelino boys showed their hapless opponents who would rule and eventually prevail.

After four quarters, Adamson had registered a 26-point victory [72-46].

No surprises in this one.

In the 5-frame sequence below Alex Nuyles Soars and Slams

over a helpless Jelo Montecastro.



Need I say more ?



This Falcon, Alex, will take beat you to the paint,  attract the help defense

. . . then dish a quick pass to a fellow Falcon  . .

 .   .   .  who'll be all alone for a sure twinner.

[This time. it's Manayara who is the recepient of the assist pass]



And this other guy, Eric, he's just got one of the best strokes in the League.

One on one, double teamed, straight up or fading away --

this dude's gonna drill it.  No wonder the Falcons are one of the best perimeter shooting teams.

The Falcons won't be the Falcons without theit Little Big Man -- Lester Alvarez.

He can deliver clutch threes when needed, and can drive and draw too.

Here, he clearly has drawn three Maroons, and has made the smart kick out to one of two open Falcons.

Adamson's sixth men --  role players like Brondial and Etrone can easily outplay their opponents, whilst giving the starters much needed rest.

Straight and True -- One can see it in the photo -- this three pointer went in. This one had Etrone's signature on it.

More often than not,  this is how Adamson's foes have looked liked

after a match -- Beaten.

Like I said, no surprises in this one  --  Just the usual relaxed [triumphant] smiles from the Adamson bench.  Happy to oblige Les, Jeric, and Eric !!

brosi gonzales

Barely Over 50%

Aug. 10, Wednesday

Going into their last first round match,  the Lady Eagles had an unimpressive 3-3 win-loss slate.  If they were to lose this 7th game, they would be another step closer to NOT making it to the Final Four.

Fortunately for the Ateneans, the Lady Warriors just couldn't take care of the basketball all game  long and the Eagles' D easily forced a lot of turnovers.  To add to UE's problems, Coach Quimpos charges improved on their shooting percentage.  [Their previous loss to FEU had the Lady Eagles shooting poorly from the field].

Ateneo won this one 67-45.

Here are some images from that match.

Sarah Mercado leads the break as Corinne Javier follows.

Bo-ot

Aseron

Chua

Asst. Coach Yuri Escueta

Mercado

Part of the game.

Dimaano

Go-to Lady Eagle Sarah Mercado has one last playing year next Season '75  and she will eventually have to pass the torch to the likes of . . .

. . . tall rookie Danica Jose, who I hope will someday lead the Lady Eagles to the Finals and to a UAAP Crown - [sooner than later] with able support from Bo-ot, Chua, Aseron, Dimaano, Tiu, Ong, Morales - and the rest of the team. 

With championship calibre teams like Adamson, FEU and UST around,  it is definitely easier said than done  -but even then-  Why Not ??

brosi gonzales

Beyond Sports

My Roots

Most of the people I get to meet these days brand me as a  sports photojournalist, rightfully so, because I am that.  But way before [as in more than a DECADE ago] I did sports, I had been doing portraits and lifetstyle phtography in film [and that was even after I had a not so successful career in architecture].  Suffice it to say, I still love portraiture, partcularly using available light, and still do it, with even more passion than what I felt when I started.  Did some fashion, food photography, for several publications before - Learned manual darkroom technique and studio lighting while working for a reputable photo studio too.  Did some weddings [bad experience there] -- even also news photography for a daily for exactly 45 days [swear I'll never do that again - it's just too risky for my comfort]. 

Being lucky enough to have experienced "traditional" or "REAL" photography - I have now, the benefit of having the best of both worlds.  Low tech, done it -- high tech, love it.  The conveniences technology gives is just great,  but the challenge of analogue photography is just something one can never get these days.

"Reading light", understanding it's nuances, how it behaves and affects the subject  -- is something like sensing the subtleties of sound, or notes [if I might call it that], the way musician "hears" it  AND Learning to "see in black and white" in all it's tones, ALL without the aid of an LCD screen or computer

 --> That is the core of my experience with film.

And I know to this very day, it still helps me "create accurate images in my mind" long before I press my digital SLR shutter.

The following 4 JPEG images are from scanned analogue prints [the prints coming from Black & White and/or Color Negative Film].  One can check them out in my previous posts [w/a little info on the techniques used]  [I started this blog only last June 13].  Got lots more coming [film images, that is] - just gotta blend them in with my current sports entries at.

The material used to create this "Rock Photo"

was BLACK & WHITE Negative film !!

[Check the posting, It is entry #2 in this blog]

 

One of these four analogue prints won a Canon Asia Competition Honorable Mention years ago.  A year after that award I was a finalist in the same Canon Asia Photo Competiton but got disqualified in the last minute because I failed to submit via mail my FILM NEGATIVE in time.  I actually lost that 35mm film strip with the image  [a portrait].  I'll release it in a future posting - no hurry.

[At least I still have an 8 X 10 analogue print of both photos].

brosi gonzales