June 25, 2016 was supposed to be a typical Saturday.
The opening of the NCAA was booked a month after the 91st Season of the league ended and, as per tradition, the hosts face the past season’s champions in the opening game of the season. This means NCAA Season 91 champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights will face the NCAA Season 92 hosts San Beda College Red Lions.
But then the Shakey’s V-League schedule came out a month ago. For volleyball fans, June 25 was a marked date, as the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles-laden Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders were pencilled in to face former PSL team Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors. Moreover, these two squads had been pegged as the favorites to win the 2016 SVL Open Conference during the pre-season.
URCC Fight Night was announced a week after the fight league’s Rebellion event. Fight Night was supposed to be a typical card that would feature up-and-coming Filipino mixed martial artists. Three weeks ago, thespians Baron Geisler and Kiko Matos figured in a literal bar room brawl and, after numerous calls by the public, the two are set to face each other in a URCC-sanctioned special attraction bout on June 25.
To cap the series of “fortunate” events, Nike Philippines announced exactly a week ago that recently-retired and all-time Los Angeles Laker great Kobe Bryant is set to make his return to Manila. And, in a stroke of luck, the Manila leg of Kobe’s Mamba Mentality tour is scheduled on, yes, June 25!
With all these events happening on the same day, the ultimate Filipino sports fan will have a hard-time soaking all of this up. Luckily for the ultimate sports fan, Tiebreaker Times has prepared an itinerary for Super Saturday!
1:00pm: Jersey retirement of ‘The Big Difference’
Venue: SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City
(Photo by Leslie Sy)
After grabbing a hearty lunch, head on over to the SM Mall of Asia Arena as early as 1:00pm and pay tribute to one of the greatest Filipino basketball players of all time.
Season hosts San Beda College will honor alumnus and late basketball great Carlos Loyzaga by retiring his No. 14 jersey during the opening rights of the 92nd NCAA basketball season. Members of the Loyzaga family will also be in attendance.
2:00pm: San Beda vs. Letran 2016 Part 1
Venue: SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City
Arguably one of the two greatest rivalries in Philippine sports will be rekindled once again, with whole new storylines to come along with it.
Even with a fourth of the protagonists from last season having graduated, new school heroes are born during rivalry games. And as former Letran head coach Aldin Ayo said about these type of matches: “Walang stats at records sa mga larong ganito. School pride ang labanan tuwing naglalaban ang Letran at ang San Beda.”
Just sit back and enjoy, or join in with the crowd in heckling the opposing team (not too much!). Don’t forget to save your energy because you are just halfway through your day.
4:00pm: Mamba Mentality Night
Venue: Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City
Once the San Beda-Letran game ends, head out of the SM Mall of Asia Arena and jump on the next MRT train headed to the Araneta station. While boarding the train, think of your best memories of Kobe Bryant, as you will be taken on a roller-coaster journey during the Mamba Mentality Night.
Together with the man himself, highlights from Kobe’s 20-year career will be shown. The Black Mamba will also be on stage to challenge and inspire the mindset of Pinoy ballers to be relentless, resilient, and fearless in the sport of basketball and life.
6:00pm: ‘The Phenom’ faces a familiar foe
Venue: Philsports Arena, Pasig City
Get yourself together and travel 5.9km to the PhilSports Arena as Valdez and the Bali Pure Purest Water Defenders face Michele Gumabao and the Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors.
We’re finally here! Douse yourself with Pocari Sweat or Bali Pure because you will not want to miss this match.
Hopped up on their namesake energy drink, the Lady Warriors have sliced through all of their five past foes to the top of the league, overwhelming foes with thundering spikes from the hulked-out Smash Sisters.
The Bali Pure Water Defenders were pure when they started the season, became purer with the addition of Grethcel Soltones, and, finally, filtered to their purest form when Alyssa Valdez came home from her Europe frolicking.
Their opening day loss to the Air Force Jet Spikers might have polluted their record, but the Purest Water Defenders have washed away all signs of vulnerability with their beaming smiles and strong resolve.
The biggest match season, of course, comes with the biggest stakes, with the winner securing a top-two spot in the playoffs.
This is the match SVL fans have been thirsting for.
8:00pm: Bad Blood
Venue: Valkyrie Club, Palace Complex, Taguig City
After experiencing a roller-coaster of emotions, grab yourself a cold one at the Valkyrie Night Club and cap your night with a good old fashioned fight night.
There are a lot of intriguing match-ups on the card, but the Baron Geisler-Kiko Matos feud has stolen the spotlight. On the flipside, the special attraction has garnered unprecedented attention from the mainstream media and has brought the URCC to new heights.
From a sucker punch by Matos
To a kiss from Geisler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lmuAU-l45M
And childish trash-talking
Followed by a disgusting act of defiance [18+! Not for the faint of heart]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EoMXyyGx5k
One of the most heated rivalries this year will end inside a URCC cage. Moreover, the profits made during this event will go to charities chosen by the two thespians.
There you go! Tune-in to Tiebreaker Times for updates from all these events or follow us on Twitter by clicking here.
