DESPITE the lack of private benefactors, UST still provides top-of-the-line equipment, housing and respectable monthly allowances for its student-athletes.
As far as budget is concerned, many UST coaches see no problem when it comes to the support their respective squads receive.
Golden Booters head coach Marjo Allado said there was no need for UST to offer money to student-athletes during recruitment because the school already offers a lot of benefits.
“When it comes to budget, I think we don’t have to complain kasi napaka-generous ng UST. I think some universities, when it comes to recruitment, they offer money. Hindi ‘yan kailangan ng UST, eh. Sa amin, sakto lang ‘yung binibigay [na budget] ng UST pero when it comes to equipment, hospitalization and scholarship of the players, sobra-sobra na,” Allado said.
Benefits for student-athletes include scholarship, which is either full or partial depending on the recommendation of the dean or coach, free board and lodging and free medical and hospitalization at the UST Hospital.
Aside from athlete’s monthly allowance which amounts to P2,500 for the team captains, P2,200 for the co-captains and P2,000 for the regular players, they are also given food and game day stipends.
Having played for five years in the UAAP, Paul Romero, outgoing team captain of the UST Tiger Jins, noted the increase in allowances as well as the improvement of their dormitories since his first stint in the collegiate ranks.
“Nagkaroon ng pagtaas ng budget for the UST teams kasi compared dati, ang allowance is P1,000 lang. And for the dorm, sobrang better ng dorm ngayon compared dati,” he said.
A July 2010 report by the Varsitarian revealed the poor conditions at Active Dormitory on España Boulevard corner Eloisa Street where UST athletes were houses. Among them, “leaking ceilings, erratic water supply, and mediocre food."
Now, some female UST athletes are residing at Dapitan Residences while many of their male counterparts are staying at Residencia Josefina dormitory on Laon Laan Street.
Romero said slots for dormitory lodging were limited and usually given to student-athletes from the provinces. He said the dorm’s management also provide food for the athletes.
When it comes to equipment, UST also provides players with premium gears, as attested by the coaches.
“Pagdating sa gamit, [top-of-the-line] lahat ng gamit namin. Especially sa badminton team, hindi dito nabibili‘yung gamit natin, galing pa ng abroad. Iba ‘yung mayabang pagdating sa apparel, sa gears. So pagdating sa UAAP, ‘yun ang panghatak ko pagdating sarecruitment,” UST Shuttlers coach Noli Cajefe said.
“We, as coaches, always give the players the top-of-the-line equipment. ‘Yung mga taga-probinsya na players, they’re very happy when they receive the equipment kasiminsan hindi nila kayang bilhin ‘yung mga ‘yun eh. So pagdating dito sa UST, binibigay lahat sa kanila,” Allado added.
Despite the common notion that the battle for recruitment of athletes favors the schools that have the grandest offers, UST coaches and players still adhere to their belief that aspiring collegiate players who wish to play for UST will choose the University despite “bigger” offers from other UAAP schools.
“Kapag pumunta ang player sa UST, gusto niya talagamaglaro para sa UST. Kung ico-compare mo before, kapag sinabi mong UST sa UAAP, baon na ‘yung iba eh,kasi pantay-pantay, hindi nabibili ‘yung player noon. Pumupunta [sila] sa atin para i-train at kapag pinagbasehan ‘yung training program, lamang tayo doon sa tiyaga at galing ng coaches dito sa UST,” Cajefe said.
For the veteran coach of the UST Golden Sox, Jeff Santiago, holding on to the prestige that is UST itselfshould be enough in luring potential players in choosing the University.
“Yung prestige natin ay ‘yung ating university. Mgacollege students ‘yan eh. Unlike sa ibang university, they offer money para pumunta sa kanilang eskuwelahan. Pero sa atin, mine-maintain natin 'yung pagka-amateur ng bata, estudyante, manlalaro. Walang pinag-uusapan na pera,” Santiago said. Angelica P. Abello
