IMAGINE Santa personally handing you a big yellow box neatly tied with a white ribbon and with an “Especially for You” card. What would you want to see inside?
The answer, if UST coaches are to be asked, can be summed up in two words: championship titles.
“Next year’s UAAP championship trophy,” Tiger Cubs coach Allan Ascue said in reply to the question. “I also want everybody in the team to excel and raise their caliber,” Ascue added.
UST Judoka coach Jojo Arce said: “I wish for none other than the titles for each league we are going to join. I just hope that none of our players gets injured or debarred.”
“My wish is for the team to win its first-ever UAAP championship trophy,” Lady Booters coach Rozano Estrabon said. “I’m also hoping to create a stronger bond among the players and also to parade a complete lineup this season.”
Golden Sox assistant coach Roberto Ituralde has the same wish: “To win our first-ever championship in UAAP softball history. And if possible, to book a trip to Boracay or Hong Kong for the girls.”
“I hope I will be able to grab the players I (want to recruit) to boost our chances of winning the basketball crown,” Tigers coach Pido Jarencio said.
For his part, multi-titled UST Paddlers coach Henberd Ortalla wished for something as equally valuable as a championship.
“I’m aspiring for everybody’s happiness this Holiday season,” Ortalla said. “I also wish to spend the vacation in Disneyland together with my family.”
Aside from aiming for an added moral-booster, Male Tennisters coach Karl Santamaria desired for something more tangible that would benefit not just the UST athletes but the whole Thomasian sporting world in general.
“That the new UST gym may finally be constructed and that more support will be given by the Thomasian community to all our teams and athletes,” Santamaria said.
Christmas desires
While the coaches want to continue UST’s sports supremacy, their players are thinking of what’s really essential for the time being.
“I just want to graduate with high grades. And right now, I want to pass the tryouts for the National Team this coming week,” ace Tiger Cub Cedrick Labing-isa said.
Lady Paddlers Rookie of the Year Princess Masong also wishes to be part of the National training.
“I trust that God will continue to give me strength so that someday, I’d be part of the Philippine team and hopefully build a house for my family,” she said. “But my ultimate wish is to grow taller,” she told the Varsitarian in jest.
“I wish that the team will get stronger,” Lady Booters team captain Aprilyn Reyes said. “Aside from that, we’re wishing for a better management of the athletes’ dormitory. We hope for a more sufficient water supply and better services.”
“We could really use some air-conditioning as well as a neat and clean makeover for our dojo,” Lady Judokas Shallane Bello and Dianner Villalobos wished.
“I wish to have a good start in the UAAP and end it on a bright note as well,” UAAP Season 71 beach volleyball MVP Henry Pecaña said, referring to his indoor volleyball stint with the Tiger Spikers.
“We’re hoping that God would give us what we’ve been praying for since then, which is to be the UAAP champions,” Softbelles team captain Aiza dela Torre said.
“I want our team to win the Asian University Games in Malaysia this December,” Male Tracksters team captain Ben Alejandrino said.
New gadgets are also on the Thomasian athletes’ Christmas list.
“Apart from my first wish, (for us to) win the championship this season, I want to have a cellphone, a portable Playstation and a laptop,” said Lady Tennisters team captain Tina Santos.
And while digital gizmos and better luck are on top of the athletes’ wish lists, most of them wish for a trouble-free and healthy New Year.
“I wish that my injury will heal soon so that I can still play,” veteran Lady Spiker Vida Rica Gutierrez, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, said. However, teammate Aiza Maizo only wishes for a smooth path toward her upcoming graduation.
UST athletes also hope to be with their families this Christmas. “I come from the States, so hopefully this Christmas I’ll be with them,” Growling Tiger Chris Camus said.
“I wish to spend Christmas in our province because my family and I barely see each other nowadays. I also hope that our team would jell more and I’m hoping that nobody gets injured,” Tigers point guard Clark Bautista, who hails from Bacolod, said.
With most of the athletes and coaches ready to make a fresh start this coming New Year, the Thomasian crowd can only wait in excitement as these personalities score for their dreams.
“I also hope that my family and I reunite this Yuletide,” Pecaña, native of Cavite said.
