SPORTS HAS always been a platform for people to display their talents and passion in physical activities; it has become a huge aspect in people’s lives, benefiting their physical well-being and boosting their morale.
Student-athletes trying to earn their place in this world while juggling academic responsibilities require great determination and perseverance—this certainly speaks for three players from varying Manila-based universities.
University of the East’s (UE) rookie center from the women’s basketball team Mica Estrada, middle blocker from the men’s volleyball team Axel Defeo, and Arellano University’s (AU) rookie Heart Villaflores, shared their stories about how they became the distinguished players they are known for today.
Brave hearted
Heart Villaflores, a 19-year-old open hitter and psychology student from AU, is just starting but is slowly making her name known in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the university’s athletic guild.
Throughout her elementary and high school years, she would bring her own ball and play with the varsity players.
“Nag-start talaga lahat sa influence ng mom ko. Kung hindi nya ako ipu-push mag-training before sa naging coach ko nung high school, wala ako sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon.” Villaflores told the Manila Pulse.
(Everything started with my mom's influence; if she had not pushed me to train before my high school coach did, I would not be where I am today.)
“My first-ever na napaglaruan [noong] varsity [player] na talaga ako is sa Roosevelt (FEU Roosvelt-Cainta), then after, nag tuloy-tuloy na sa Georgia [Academy],” she said, naming other leagues she already participated in, including CAPSAA, DEPED, RIPRISA, UVL and City Meet.
(My first ever that I played at where I was a varsity player was in Roosevelt (FEU Roosvelt Cainta), then after that, it continued to Georgia [Academy].)
Although she had a glimpse of what her volleyball career might look like, she often doubted her capabilities, but one thing led to another, and opportunities were presented.
“Dapat talaga ‘di na ako maglalaro, nag-de-decide na ako na mag stop maglaro, pero yung last league na sinalihan namin ng club team ko bago mag pasukan, nagkataon ando’n head coach ng napag enroll-an ko na school which is AU. Ayon, kinuha ako ni coach.” Villaflores said.
(I have already decided to stop playing, but the last league that my club team and I joined before entering happened to have the head coach of the school I enrolled in, which is AU. From there, coach recruited me.)
She has learned a lot in this journey she is still embarking on, but one piece of advice she learned from her coach is something she always clings to, both during games and in life.
“Ibigay mo 'yong ikaw mismo sa laro, katawan mo, dugo’t puso mo, lahat. Kailangan mahal mo yung ginagawa mo kasi kung hindi, hindi ka rin mag po-progress and laging humble lang dapat.”
“[K]ung sino pinaka matapang, sila mananalo sa laro,” she continued.
(Give it your all to the game, your body, blood and heart, everything. You must love what you do because if you don’t, you will not progress, and you should always be humble.)
(Whoever is the bravest will win the game.)
She can
“Wala raw basketball [na] pang babae; hindi sila nagtuturo ng basketball sa babae,” these are the words Mica Estrada was told by her previous school that brought hindrance to her playing a sport just because of her gender, which is why she opted to pursue volleyball at the time.
(They said basketball is not for women; they don't teach women basketball.)
Still, turning pages was a no-brainer for UE’s rookie center; she felt that volleyball really was not for her and has always seen herself dribbling the ball.
“[N]ag-stop ako sa volleyball dahil hindi na ako napapasaya ng volleyball, so para sa’kin, wala ng point mag laro,” Estrada shared.
([P]laying volleyball no longer made me happy, so it seems to me that there was no point in playing anymore.)
She shared that one of her most outstanding sports achievements was being a scholar-athlete.
“After ng NBTC season last 2023, no’ng UAAP season pa, nakasalubong namin yo’ng isang friend ni papa na part siya ng UE na in-offer-an ako [ng] spot sa team, at ayon,” the rookie center said.
(After the NBTC season last 2023, during UAAP season, we came across a friend of my dad who is part of UE and offered me a spot on the team, and that’s when it [scholarship] started.)
Time management and hard work are the keys to keeping her focused, a reminder from her coach that she always takes to heart.
“Ang sinasabi kasi nila hard work beats talent, feeling ko kahit saan naman talaga, yo'ng hard work mabi-beat n’ya talent kasi kahit anong yabang mo, kung hindi ka willing matuto, ‘di ka talaga aangat.”
“Kaya ‘yong akin is sipag lang at saka tyaga talaga, kasi kahit saan mo dalhin 'yon, may mapapala ka,” Estrada shared.
(What they say is hard work beats talent. I think in any situation, hard work would beat talent because no matter how boastful you are, if you are not willing to learn, you will not succeed.)
(So, for me, hard work and perseverance—take it anywhere, and you will get something good out of it.)
To “kapit” is what she often reminds herself; hold on to the dream that was not the original plan but the dream that is the fruit of all hard work.
Support system
Axel Defeo, a third-year college student, member of the men’s volleyball team from UE, and currently lauded for his heroics lead in this season’s UAAP, owes his success to his “amazing” support system.
But on top of his multifaceted roles in life, Defeo is also a father to his 2-year-old daughter.
“[D]ahil sa mga taong walang sawang sumusuporta sa’kin and nag titiwala, at sa sarili ko na gusto na mag grow pa sa sport na ‘to to achieve yo’ng highest point na kaya ko, naging inspiration ko dito yung pamilya ko... lalo na ‘yong anak ko,” he said.
(I got to where I am today because of the people who have tirelessly supported me and believed in me, and to me who wants to grow even more in this sport to achieve my highest point... my inspiration is my family, especially my daughter.)
But his career in volleyball did not start in an instant, as he had tried a lot of sports before settling into volleyball, including track and field, javelin, shot put, baseball, and basketball.
Volleyball was something he saw himself thriving, gaining more experiences and achievements every year, which fueled his drive to improve.
“Natupad ko 'yong pangarap ko [na] makapaglaro sa big leagues, UAAP pa, and nakapag podium pa [sa] 2nd place noong Season 82,” he shared.
(I fulfilled my dream of being able to play in the big leagues, even in the UAAP, and made the podium in 2nd place in Season 82.)
Life aside from sports and academics is his family, with Axel having a daughter to take care of and prioritize in his free time.
Amid these players’ unique journeys, a common thread binds them together: a profound appreciation to familial bonds, unwavering discipline in their craft, meticulous time management skills, and adeptness at navigating the urban landscape of Manila.
“Mabilis kilos dito sa Manila; na-observe ko na walang tao dito na walang ginagawa and sobrang palaban mga taga Manila. Dahil do’n, ‘di ko na napapansin na na-adapt ko na rin 'yong fast-paced nila na kilos,” Villaflores said.
(It really is fast paced here in Manila; I’ve observed that everyone is always doing something, and the people of Manila are persistent. Because of this, I hadn’t realized that I already adapted to their fast-paced lifestyle.) – Czarina Mari Agaton/Manila Pulse
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