Ateneo tops FEU in women's volleyball

MANILA, Philippines -- The Ateneo Lady Eagles strengthened their hold on 2nd place with a 4-set victory over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-22, 25-21, 23-25 and 25-20, Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

Star rookie Alyssa Valdez had 21 points, while veteran Dzi Gervacio added 16 as the Lady Eagles found little trouble defeating the Lady Tams, who are now playing without 2nd leading scorer Maika Morada.

Valdez and Gervacio scored 31 of Ateneo's 66 kills in the game, making up for team captain Fille Cainglet's struggles.

Cainglet only scored 11 points, but Ateneo head coach Roger Gorayeb is confident his star spiker can make up for it in their next games.

"Sa volleyball naman, bilog ang bola. I'm sure ngayon lang yan," he said, noting that Cainglet has been consistent in their previous games before struggling against FEU.

But Gorayeb also wants to see improved defense from the Lady Eagles. "Opensa ang bumuhay sa amin ngayon. Wala kaming reception," he said.

Ateneo had a chance to put FEU away in the third set, but Wenneth Eulalio and Rose Vargas came up big as the Lady Tams forced a fourth set.

The Lady Eagles remained in 2nd place in the league standings with a 5-1 record, their lone loss coming from undefeated arch rival De La Salle.

Meanwhile, the Lady Tams are in 5th place with a 3-3 record and will have to finish the rest of the season with Morada, who quit the team to focus on her work.

source abs-cbnNEWS.com

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Adamson edges NU in 5-set thriller

MANILA, Philippines -- The Adamson University Lady Falcons survived an inspired game from the National University Lady Bulldogs to win in five hard-fought sets, 18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-10, 15-9, Wednesday afternoon at The Arena in San Juan.

May Macatuno (14) and Pau Soriano (2) of Adamson University defend against Myla Pablo of National University.

The Lady Falcons were coming off a straight sets loss to the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, and were seemingly shocked by the intensity of the Lady Bulldogs.

NU was sharper on the defensive end, and they were able to handle the attacks of Adamson aces Pau Soriano and Sheila Pineda.

Adamson, on the other hand, showed uncharacteristic poor floor defense, as NU's Cai Nepomuceno consistently found ways to attack.

The Lady Falcons turned their game around in the 2nd set, with Soriano and Pineda more effective on offense.

But rookie Myla Pablo came alive in the 3rd set to lead the Lady Bulldogs, giving them a pivotal 2-1 lead in the match.

Facing a 1-set deficit, the Lady Falcons stepped up their intensity in the fourth and fifth sets, winning them comfortably, 25-10 and 15-9, to improve their record to 4-2.

Adamson is now tied with the University of Santo Tomas for 3rd place in the league standings.

The Lady Falcons' long-time head coach, Dulce Pante, was clearly frustrated with her wards' struggles during the game, but is confident that they can still bounce back.

"Mahaba pa naman ang liga. Magte-training pa rin kami during the break, except Christmas and New Year," she said.

Pineda finished with 20 points, including 3 service aces and 19 digs, while Soriano had 17 hits and four blocks.

Nepomuceno finished with 21 hits and 2 blocks, while Pablo ended up with 20.

It was the Lady Bulldogs' 5th loss in a row after winning their season opener against the University of the Philippines. They dropped to a share of the 6th and 7th slots with the University of the East.

source abs-cbnNEWS.com

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Resurgent UST Tigresses collar NU Lady Bulldogs

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas posted its fourth straight win with a 25-11, 25-21, 25-18 walloping of National University Sunday in the women’s volleyball tournament of UAAP Season 74 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Maru Banaticla fired 15 points, while Maika Ortiz and Midori Hirotsuji combined for eight each as the Tigresses improved to 4-2.

“The girls’ morale at this point is high, and they improved a lot on their serves,” said UST coach Odjie Mamon, whose squad will take a crack at La Salle’s unbeaten record for its final first-round assignment on Wednesday.

Setter Rhea Dimaculangan accounted for two of the five service aces delivered by the Tigresses, who sent the Lady Bulldogs crashing to their fourth straight defeat.

Meanwhile, Adamson pinned a first loss on Far Eastern U with a marathon 21-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-19, 15-10 triumph.

Ron Jay Galang scattered a tournament-best 32 hits for the Falcons who are still mired in fifth place with a 2-3 card.

In the other men’s game, Rueben Inaudito delivered 15 points as NU (4-2) overcame La Salle (2-3), 25-18, 25-21, 25-20.

source by Cedelf P. Tupas Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Perpetual men’s, women’s teams trip Letran spikers

University of Perpetual Help crushed its foes in the men’s and women’s division, fanning its championship bid in the volleyball competitions of the 87th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Altas, the defending men’s titlist, dismissed the listless Letran Knights with a quick, merciless 25-16, 25-13, 25-23 victory and nailed their fourth straight win and moved them to solo second place behind the pace-setting Arellano U.

The idle Chiefs sit alone on top with a 6-0 (win-loss) card.

More importantly, the Las Piñas-based team clinched the second Final Four slot and is slowly putting itself in prime position to successfully defend the championship it won with an impressive run last year.

“We’re slowly but surely getting to a position where we want to, which is to win the championship again this season,” said Perpetual coach Sammy Acaylar in Filipino.

The Lady Altas, for their part, made the Final Four as early as last week but showed everyone they’re not relenting as they turned back the feisty Lady Knights with a gripping 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 25-22 triumph.

It was the Mike Rafael-coached Lady Altas’ seventh win in row. Perpetual continued to pull away in the women’s division, gaining momentum going into the semifinals.

And Rafael isn’t letting the holiday season to get into their training regimen.

“If we want to continue to play like this, we have to stay in shape so we will continue training except for Christmas Day, Dec. 26 and New Year’s Day,” said Rafael.

Perpetual is looking to at least send all its volleyball teams—men’s, women’s and juniors—to the finals and gun for a rare sweep in the sport.

It can be recalled that Perpetual also sent all its beach volley teams in the first semester to the finale but only the Lady Altas emerged with a championship.

“We’re proud of our players, we will always be there to support and cheer them,” said league president and NCAA policy board chair Anthony Tamayo.

source Philippine Daily Inquirer

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DLSU wallops UE in UAAP volleyball

Abigail Maraño led defending champion De La Salle University (DLSU) for a 25-18, 25-14, 25-18 victory over University of the East (UE) in the UAAP women’s volleyball at The Arena in San Juan.

The leading attacker in the league, Maraño had 11 spikes and was responsible for 3 of 9 blocks. She eventually finished the game with 15 points.

The victory propelled the Lady Spikers to within a win of sweeping the 7-game first-round eliminations.

“Abi (Maraño) stepped up and I am happy with that. My expectations from her are really that high,” said DLSU coach Ramil de Jesus.

Far Eastern University (FEU) played without ace scorer Maica Morada but still managed to post a 25-22, 25-23, 25-17 victory over Adamson University (AdU) in the other game.

“She (Morada) did not practice for one week. She’s a big factor for the team, but we need to discipline her. We poured it all even without her,” said Lady Tamaraws coach Nes Pamilar.

The loss snapped Adamson’s 3-game streak, while FEU cut its own 2-game skid that tied the Lady Tamaraws with University of Santo Tomas (UST) and their victims at No. 3 in the team standings.

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3 teams mix it up for volley Final 4

Arellano University, San Beda and San Sebastian step up their respective semifinal drive as action in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament resumes today at Lyceum gym in Intramuros.

The Lady Chiefs and the Lionesses, who tote similar 3-2 cards with the Letran Lady Knights and the San Sebastian Lady Stags, square off at 9 a.m., looking for a victory that will put them at second place behind the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Lady Altas, who clinched the first semifinal berth with a three-set victory over the St. Benilde Lady Blazers last Wednesday.

In the other women’s match, the Lady Stags likewise gun for a share of second place as they collide with the Jose Rizal Lady Bombers at 1 p.m. The JRU side has only one win to show in five matches.

The Lionesses are expected to pin their hopes again on Debbie Dultra, Janine Nicole Marciano and Cherry Mae Quizon while the Lady Chiefs will bank on Maricar Bituin, Girly Beltran, Angelica Legacion and setter Mary Jane Diane Ticar.

In the men’s side, the Chiefs  eye a fifth straight win and a game closer to the semifinals, as they clash against the San Beda Red Lions at 10 a.m.

The Red Lions, on the other hand, seek a third straight victory as they take on the winless Heavy Bombers at 2 p.m.

In the lone junior match, the Junior Chiefs (0-2) and the Red Cubs (0-1) try to break into the win column at each other’s expense in the day’s opener at 8 a.m.

source by The Philippine Star

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Lady Archers notch No. 5 vs UP tossers

MANILA, Philippines - De La Salle streaked to its fifth straight victory while sending University of the Philippines (UP) to its fifth consecutive loss, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22, yesterday in UAAP Season 74 women’s volleyball at the Arena in San Juan.

Team captain Cha Cruz played an all-around game for the unbeaten defending champions, registering a personal season-high 19 points laced with seven aces and had six digs. Abigail Maraño complimented Cruz’s strong performance with 14 points, 12 on attacks.

University of Santo Tomas scored a 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 victory over University of the East (UE) in yesterday’s other women’s match. Maru Banaticla had 16 points for the Tigresses who, after a 0-2 start, have won three straight so far.

“We improve on our service and reception,” said UST coach Odjie Mamon.

Despite facing a lightweight UP side, De La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus said his wards still were below 100 percent because of their academic load.

Angeli Araneta and Jessa Lasmarias each had 10 points for the Lady Maroons, who have yet to show chemistry this season.

The Tigresses drew 13 points from Maika Ortiz and nine hits from rookie Carmela Tunay in disposing of the Lady Warriors, who were led by Jimberly Dawn Dizon’s 10 points.

UE dropped to a 1-4 record to stay ahead of UP in the standings.

In the men’s contest, Arvin Avila scattered 14 points to power Far Eastern University past UE, 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-20, to also remain unbeaten in five games.

Mark Gil Alfafara, meanwhile, had 20 hits to lead five other UST players in double figures as the reigning champion Growling Tigers frustrated an upset hungry National University crew, 27-29, 25-13, 25-22, 17-25, 15-12.

The victory was UST’s fourth in five outings.

source by The Philippine Star

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Lady Archers hope to remain spotless against cellar-dwelling Lady Maroons

Pacesetting and reigning women's titlist La Salle takes on cellar-dwelling University of the Philippines on Wednesday with the Lady Archers aiming to extend their winning run to five in the 74th UAAP volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Game time is 2 p.m. with the Lady Maroons also hoping to snap a four-game slump this season.

Camille Cruz is a doubtful starter after the La Salle rookie hurt her knee after a bad fall in the third set in the Lady Archers’ game against the FEU Lady Tamaraws.

But La Salle still has lethal attacker Abigail Maraño, top blocker Michelle Gumabao, setter Mika Esparanza and the reliable Cha Cruz in its vast arsenal. Mika Reyes and Ara Galang are also ready to contribute to the Lady Archers’ cause.

"We must not be complacent in our game. We need to be prepared every time we play because you can't predict the outcome of the game. I just told my players to stay focused and as much as possible minimize our errors," said La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus.

The Lady Archers are coming off a marathon five-set win over FEU, 25-22, 25-15, 23-25, 23-25, 15-11.

UST, last year's losing finalists, will also try to clinch a third straight win when it takes on University of the East (UE) at 4 p.m.

Men's action pits UST against National University at 9 a.m. and Far Eastern University (FEU) against UE at 10:30 a.m. —

source JVP, GMA News

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Lady Falcons nab 3rd straight in UAAP women's volleyball

MANILA, Philippines – Adamson University (AdU) handily defeated University of the East (UE), 25-18, 25-14, 25-17, for its 3rd straight win after a season-opening loss in UAAP Season 74 women’s volleyball on Saturday at the Arena in San Juan.

Shiela Pineda scored 13 hits, including 3 service aces, while Angelica Quinlog added 11 points on blocks to go with her 7 digs for the Lady Falcons.

With the match virtually in the bag, Adamson’s long-time coach Dulce Pante rested her starters in favor of her second stringers, who kept the Lady Warriors at bay.

“The girls have put to good use our training program. Now, they have polished their timing, like playing the piano. If the blending is right, you get wonderful music,” said Pante.

Sheisa Nebrida had 8 hits and Jimberly Dawn Dizon scored 7 kills for the Lady Warriors, who dropped to their 3rd loss in 3 outings.

Meanwhile, reigning 5-time champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) relied on the 15 hits each from Jay Depante and Mark Gil Alfafara in beating Ateneo, 25-14, 25-20, 25-18, in the men’s category.

UST remained at 3rd place with a 3-1 card.

Sam Paquiz made 20 hits for University of the Philippines (UP) which beat UE, 25-23, 25-21, 24-26, 28-26, for the Maroons’ 2nd win in 4 matches on Saturday’s other men’s game.

source | abs-cbnNEWS.com

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NCAA 87: Perpetual outlasts EAC to remain undefeated in women’s volleyball

Season host University of Perpetual Help System Dalta escaped with a thrilling 28-26, 25-17, 16-25, 22-25, 15-12 win over hard-fighting Emilio Aguinaldo College in the 87th NCAA women's tournament on Saturday at the Letran Gym in Intramuros.

The win was the firth straight for the Lady Altas to remain on top of the standings and continue their hunt for the crown, which slipped off their hands last season after the NCAA Management Committee forfeited all of their games after finding out that two of their players were ineligible to play.

"We knew its going to be tough game, it's a matter of hanging tough and staying in control," said Lady Altas mentor Michael Rafael.

The lost dropped the Lady Generals to second spot with a 4-1 slate, their most impressive start since joining the league in 2008. —

source | JVP, GMA News

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Tigresses win first game with 5-set thriller over FEU

MANILA, Philippines -- The University of Sto. Tomas Tigresses clinched their first victory of the UAAP Season 74 volleyball tournament, outlasting the erstwhile unbeaten Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in five hard-fought sets, 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-16, and 15-13, Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

It was an exciting back-and-forth battle between two of the most successful women's volleyball programs in the UAAP. In paper, the Tigresses were the less fancied team as they had a 0-2 record.

The Tigresses made it to the finals of the volleyball tournament in Season 73, but lost their best scorer in Aiza Maizo and struggled at the start of their Season 74 campaign. Meanwhile, the Lady Tams were undefeated, having won both of their previous games in straight sets.

The game saw several long rallies, with both teams exchanging points throughout the sets. The Tigresses struck first, taking the opening set as the Lady Tams seemed to take time to get their offensive groove.

But FEU got right back at the Tigresses in the second set, taking advantage of UST's spotty floor defense to clinch the set.

The Tigresses were on their way to winning the third set as they posted a 7-point lead, 19-12, only to see the Lady Tams claw their way back into the set. FEU's Rosemarie Vargas led the way for her team, scoring the last two points to clinch the win.

Also vital to FEU's Set 3 win was libero Christine Agno, who saved several points for her team with excellent digs against the Tigresses' scorers.

The fourth set was a complete reversal as the Tigresses were in complete control. Maika Ortiz, Maru Banaticla and Judy Caballejo shared the scoring load as UST controlled the set from start to finish, despite the best efforts of FEU's Agno.

The last set was another tight, back-and-forth affair, with the Tigresses and Lady Tams exchanging points and neither team leading by more than 2 points.

The Lady Tams seemed to take control after posting a 13-11 lead, only to see the Tigresses unleash a 4-0 run that won them the game.

Banaticla was named player of the game after scoring 22 attack points.

The Lady Tams are now at 2-1, tied with idle Ateneo de Manila and Adamson in the league standings. Meanwhile, the Tigresses now have a 1-2 record, tied with National University and University of the East in the bottom half of the standings.

source by abs-cbnNEWS.com

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Lady Warriors outlast NU, get first win

source | abs-cbnNEWS.com | The University of the East Lady Warriors booked their first win in the Season 74 UAAP women's volleyball tournament, outlasting the National University Lady Bulldogs in five sets, 24-26, 25-21, 25-27, 25-16, 15-5.

The Lady Warriors took control in the pivotal fourth set, taking advantage of 8 unforced errors from the Lady Bulldogs. They were also more aggressive, having 14 attack points to only 7 from NU.

UE carried the momentum from the fourth set all the way to the fifth, where they raced to an 11-0 lead before the Lady Bulldogs got on board.

Sarina Faith Bulan scored 18 points, all on attacks, to lead the way for the Lady Warriors.

The Lady Warriors now have a 1-2 record, while NU drops to 1-1.

In the second game, the Adamson University Lady Falcons won their second game, defeating the still winless University of Sto. Tomas Tigresses in another 5-setter, 25-18, 18-25, 28-26, 23-25, 15-13.

Mayette Zapanta had 17 attack points and 3 service aces for the Lady Falcons.

The Tigresses, finalists in Season 73, could not overcome costly reception errors in the final set, and Adamson's Shiela Pineda ended the game with a block.

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NCAA investigating volleyball brawl

source | abs-cbnNEWS.com | The Management Committee (Mancom) of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) will create an investigating committee to look into the brawl involving San Sebastian volleyball coach Roger Gorayeb, San Beda basketball coach Frankie Lim, and members of the San Beda Red Lions.

In a statement, NCAA Mancom Chairman Dr. Ramon Cercado of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) said the committee is doing its job to resolve the issue on last Friday's melee, but is taking a deliberate process to ensure that the case will be resolved in a proper manner.

"We are appealing to everybody concerned, including the media, for sobriety," Cercado said. "To be fair to everyone involved, we have to follow certain procedures to resolve this issue to everyone's satisfaction."

Cercado was at the San Beda Gym when the brawl occurred.

The said brawl was reportedly triggered by a "racial slur" from the San Sebastian men's volleyball team directed at San Beda's Nigerian player, Ola Adeogun.

Gorayeb was ganged upon by some members of the Red Lions, led allegedly by Lim, after an exchange of cuss words. In an interview with ANC, Lim has said that he did not start the fight.

Gorayeb sustained injuries and was brought to the hospital. He has filed a complaint for serious physical injuries, while San Sebastian is also looking to file charges.

"He can do what he wants, I didn't start the fight," Lim said about Gorayeb's complaint. "I was there to fix it. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya magdedemanda."

Cercado said he has asked members of the volleyball committee to submit a report on the incident as part of the investigation.

San Beda's Lacson is the chairman of the volleyball committee, while his co-chair is San Sebastian athletic moderator Frank Gusi. Letran's Fr. Vic Calvo completes the committee.

According to Cercado, the investigating committee will review the report, gather evidence and interview witnesses regarding the incident.

Both Lacson and Gusi will not be part of the investigating committee.

The investigating committee will then submit its findings to the Mancom, which will decide on what sanctions should be meted out on the personalities involved.

"We have to be as transparent and as democratic as possible in dealing with this issue. But we will act on it immediately as soon as the evidences and the reports have been submitted," Cercado said.

Cercado added that the Mancom will come out with an official statement in the next few days.

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SSC to sue Lim, Lions over brawl

Source | Philstar.com | The fracas involving a volleyball coach from San Sebastian and a basketball mentor from San Beda and some of his players last Friday at San Beda’s St. Placid Gym in Mendiola, Manila will get a little uglier as the two parties are expected to engage in a legal battle anytime soon.

“We have referred this matter to our school lawyers already, it will really be up to our lawyers now,” Management Committee member Frank Gusi of San Sebastian told The STAR yesterday.

As it is, Stags’ volley coach Roger Gorayeb had fired the first salvo by filing a complaint for serious physical injuries at police station in Mendiola against Lions mentor Frankie Lim and some of his players.

San Beda, for its part, is contemplating on what to do next.

“We’re till meeting about the bigger issue, which is the racial slur committed by the San Sebastian men’s volleyball team against our foreign player,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, referring to Ola Adeogun, a Nigerian set to suit up for the Lions next season.

Lim was referring to an SSC remark that Adeogun overheard from a player from the SSC men’s volleyball squad during the team’s warm-up outside the venue.

Adeogun, who just came from the Lions’ practice at the adjacent court near the volleyball venue during the incident, allegedly heard the Filipino word “unggoy” or monkey.

The racial slur eventually triggered some heated arguments between players. Gorayeb and Lim hurled invectives at each other. The fistfight that ensued spilled onto the court where the Lady Stags and the Perpetual Help Lady Altas were playing.

Gorayeb, a multi-titled coach in volleyball like Lim in basketball, is reportedly confined in a hospital to undergo treatment for a swollen face and after complaining of body pain due to punches and kicks he allegedly received in the fistfight. “My volleyball coach (Gorayeb) is confined due to body pain and swollen face,” said Gusi.

Mae Crisostomo, the San Sebastian libero who was trying to stop some of the bigger players charging into Gorayeb as seen in the photos that already went viral on popular social networks like Facebook and Twitter, is being treated for the lump on her left eye and cheek she sustained after being hit by a wayward hand from San Beda center Dave Marcelo.

Gorayeb,meanwhile, missed the game of the Ateneo women’s team, where he is also coach, against archrival La Salle in yesterday’s UAAP volley meet at The Arena in San Juan. His assistant, Charo Soriano, took over the coaching chores in place of her fallen coach.

Ateneo’s UAAP board representative Ricky Palou commented that although they’re concerned with their volley coach, they can’t meddle in the affairs of their rival league. “We’re concerned with his (Gorayeb) health but it’s up to the NCAA to resolve it,” said Palou.

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Fight erupts in 87th NCAA volleyball match

Source |  gmanetwork.com |  A fight broke out during the women’s volleyball match in the 87th NCAA involving San Sebastian Lady Stags coach Roger Gorayeb and San Beda College’s men’s basketball team, the Red Lions.

Social networking sites were flooded by photos and reports from everyone who witnessed the incident, which was caught on the closed-circuit television cameras installed inside the SBC gym.

Gorayeb, according to reports, got into a heated argument with San Beda big man Dave Marcelo and Red Lions coach Frankie Lim inside the SBC gym where Friday's volleyball games are being played. The argument turned into a shouting match until punches were thrown that resulted in a free-for-all.

The melee forced NCAA officials to stop the match between the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas and the Lady Stags.

Even San Beda security personnel were not able to stop Marcelo and Lim from attacking Gorayeb, who suffered bruises to his face, forehead, arms and body.

Even Lady Stags’ libero Mae Denise Crisostomo, who stands under 5-feet, also suffered a black eye after being accidentally punched by a San Beda player when she tried to protect Gorayeb from Marcelo and Lim.

Analyn Joy Benito, Crisostomo’s teammate, was among the Lady Stags who tried to pacify Gorayeb’s attackers. — JVP, GMA News

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