HAVING been part of the Sports section of UST’s official student publication and eventually becoming its editor have made me realize to give always importance to the bigger picture.
In Season 81 of the UAAP, the Golden Tigresses might have fallen short of the coveted women’s volleyball crown, but what they did was to revive the spirit of the Thomasian crowd in every game.
Despite the Tigresses’ silver-finish, the University still proved that it is a force to reckon with after notching its 43rd UAAP general championship this year, thanks to other UST teams who donned the black, gold and white loud and proud as well.
The Lady and Tiger Spikers, Lady and Tiger Paddlers, Lady and Male Judokas and the Female Tracksters, teams that had little or no fanfare at all were responsible for UST’s seven gold medals in the first semester, while the taekwondo and poomsae teams bagged silver medals.
Sisi Rondina became a superstar after her legendary beach volleyball career, copping four titles, including four Most Valuable Player plums.
But her win in the tournament is worth 15 points, just like the other UST gold medalists.
As a former athlete, I know how much these Thomasian players sacrificed just to represent the University and reach their goals. It is disheartening that the efforts of these unnoticed athletes have been neglected because like most Filipinos, people tend to only care about basketball and volleyball.
The lack of support for these sports is unacceptable because to be honest, these athletes have a bigger shot of winning a medal in the international leagues, rather than basketball or volleyball.
Do not get me wrong, I love basketball and volleyball, but since joining the Olympics in 1924, the Philippines have only won 10 medals and none of them came from the two sports, which have gotten the lion’s share of support, public and private.
This should be a wake-up call for the government to step up and invest in sports Filipinos are actually good at if they want to earn a new feat in the international level.
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It was a hard decision to leave my volleyball career behind, but farewells carry both fulfillment and heartbreak. As what Alexander Graham Bell said “When one door closes, another opens.”
My failure as an athlete brought me to the Varsitarian, which eventually became my new playing field and home.
I have always wanted to don the black, gold and white jersey, but as I entered college, I realized that I was not fit for the team and that I would be better off on the sidelines, writing UST sports as history in the making.
When I entered the publication, I was initially shocked with the amount of time and effort journalism required, including a strong heart. Sports has always been my comfort zone where I feel safe despite all the obstacles, failures and denials, the reason why I applied as a sports writer in the ‘V.’
It is in watching, playing and writing about sports that I learned lessons that are not taught behind the four walls of a classroom. Most people would not understand and regard sports strictly as a physical activity, but behind the thrilling games are unexpected learning experiences.
Although I am not the one playing on the court and hitting the ball, I still feel the same excitement even if I was just sitting on the sidelines, taking notes of the highlights of the game.
The ‘V’ has taught me to stop stressing over things I cannot change and just focus on what is already there. I have also learned that great things are achieved through determination and hardwork just like how athletes spend hours in training to get their bodies in tiptop shape to reach their goal.
Although winning is not everything, it is learning from mistakes and lapses that makes an athlete a true champion.
As this publication year comes to an end, I would like to thank the people who supported and have been with me throughout my two-year stay in the ‘V.’
To our mentors, sirs Lito, Ipe and Ian, I would have not gained these insights if not for you. Thank you for for challenging me and for steering me to the right path. You all helped me grow as a writer and as a person.
To my friends in the ‘V,’ thank you for keeping me sane. I would have not reached this far if it was not for your continuous support. See you all on the field.
To the top section, the Sports team of the’V,’ it has been my pleasure working with you. Thank you for keeping up with me. I hope I did not disappoint you.
To the athlete I was, thank you for the tireless efforts, for being resilient during trainings and for just never giving up regardless of the flaws and lapses in your game.
Thank you for striving to get better each day because you had a dream of making it to the bigger league, the UAAP – but it remained a dream.
To my first love, volleyball, I will continue loving you from the sidelines.
To our athletes, thanks for fighting the good fight and for being an inspiration to the UST community. We are all proud of you.
