sports
17
The Apprentice | Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School Nerve-wracking. Breath-taking. Moving.
E
June-December 2019
very athlete’s aspiration is to bring home the bacon. It is no easy task. Athletes train enthusiastically and give their hundred and one percent in every game not just to win but to represent the people who believe in them. They do not just play; they play with passion for the glory and the sport. The pressure that athletes carry on their backs is quite cumbersome and challenging, most especially when they take on the international arena like the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games). In the Philippines, basketball, volleyball, football and more have been long loved by the people. However, this year, after the historical win of teen gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo in the World Championship, Filipinos have learned to give attention and appreciation to sports outside these ball games. The crowd during the games and the roaring cheer in the stadium was a testament for the support that gymnastics is now getting. Gymnastics is all about well execution of stunts. Being part of the audience, one cannot help but feel agitated by all the twisting aerial tricks during the competition. Every athlete’s performance is nail-biting, keeping the audience in silence, praying and hoping for a perfect finish. Every nation’s supporters are restless for gymnastics is one risky sport where things get unpredictable and every move can make or break a performance. Moreover, perfection is really hard to achieve. Athletes can fall short as well. The
TWISTS and
feeling of being upset for not making it is there and palpable for the audience but just for a second or two. Yet, falling short does not stop the athletes to get back on their feet and finish what they have started as a result of the reassuring and encouraging cheer from the crowd, may it be their nation’s people or not. The spirit of these athletes is raised and they are driven by it to continue the fight and still give their best. As the saying goes, “fall down seven times, stand up eight”. In every competition like the SEA Games, athletes do not fight alone. Behind their backs are their countrymen lifting their spirits up. The presence of the athletes’ supporters give them the best morale booster they can have. To see the audience wave their country’s flag combined with their blaring cheer can bring out the best in all athletes, making them give an all-performance - their A game.
With his arms half-raised, Carlos Edriel Yulo faces his cheering crowd after his performance on the pommel horse.
Photo courtesy by Mark Jonel Abad
Juliana Faith T. Orcino
medals but also about bringing the nation together as one.
To be part of the pack of people cheering their hearts out for their country can make a person feel nothing but the best. To hear all your countrymen sing your national anthem full of pride as the country’s flag is being raised the highest among others is a very heart-melting sight. Therefore, sports events such as the SEA Games is not just about bagging
Softbelles march on to Semis Marc Andrie M. Bermundo
T
he 13-man team of our school' softball team shall be swinging their bats anew in the Division Athletic Meet Softball Tournament. In their battle against Miriam College, Coach Jennifer Fajardo stated that the team had a high chance to beat Miriam.
s
“We need to beat Miriam College by any means on that day to proceed to the finals, kasi ang skills nila ay on par na sa kanila, pero we need to focus on the batting skills of the girls,” she said.
Coach Jennifer Fajardo and her softbelles pose for a photo-op before they swing their bats in the Division Athletic Meet.
Photo courtesy of Coach Jennifer Fajardo
Monsay's Combatants Fight for Gold Marc Andrie M. Bermundo
T
he martial arts combatants of the school go serious again as they strive to compete in the Division Meet. The taekwondo jins, mentored by Mr. Jeffrey Murcillo, were triumphant in the Unit Meet as the two representatives dominated and won gold. “Para sa akin, my players need more focus and training,” Coach Murcillo said. Our athletes for Wushu and Boxing are going straight to the Division meet, yet they are heavily preparing for their future bouts. “Yung goal po kasi namin ngayon ay maging malakas at masigla para manalo sa laban para sure win,” Joremy Ramirez, one of the representatives of Monsay’s boxing team, said. The Wushu team has same mindset, as Coach Nolan Arapo said that their goal was to reach the Regional Meet albeit the entrance of new players in the girl’s category.
In every battle, victory or defeat, it is experienced. Although one person is only seen playing but behind him is one nation. They share the same dream. They sweat together. They compete together. The whole process is done by the athletes and their people coming hand-inhand to bring glory to their nation, and if they do not succeed, they learn as one. If they succeed, then they win as one! While watching Yulo, WE are ONE!
While holding their team practice, Coach Fajardo complained about the conditions her players were in, saying that the team practices on an uneven foothold. “Sa kanila kasi private [schools] sila kaya may equipment talaga, sa atin kasi we are just making our improvised function nets and other training materials just to make the edge sa kalaban,” she said. However, they lost in the best-of-three series against the much equipped Miriam College. Even with the heartbreaking loss, the softbelles will compete in the semifinals for the rankings. The team pursues to do a comeback next year.
Avinado snags Division chess silver, earns Regionals slot Avinado finished the last day strong with a round 6 win over SFHS despite losing round 5 to another FEU rep at the Science Interactive Center, earning herself a ticket to the Regionals.
Ryann Gerard V. Papa
E
ven more eager to show off her prowess on the checkered board, ninth-grader Nicole Antonette Avinado shall represent the school in the upcoming NCR Regional Athletic Meet.
Knowing she’ll face tougher competition come the next level, Avinado said it only makes her thrilled to represent the school.
Avinado, 9-Newton, bagged the silver medal of the six-round Q.C. Division Athletic Meet women’s chess held at two separate venues on November 25-27. The STEP student tallied a 4.5 total score - 3.5 points of which she earned during the first four rounds at Toro Hills Elementary School. Her opponents during that span included fellow Ramonian Ersey Jana
s
Nicole Avinado moves a knight as she vyes for a seat in the Regional Athletic Meet.
Photo by Jasmine Anne Jarabejo
Sablay (draw) and representatives from San Francisco High School (SFHS), Far Eastern University (FEU), and Batasan Hills National High School (BHNHS) whom she all defeated.
Beyond limitations...
Para bets head to NCR games Althessa Patetico
“Hindi ko masabi yung edge nila since some of the players are new, pero siguro ang edge na lang talaga nila ay yung determination na manalo,” he said. All of the contact sport teams are now taking their time to practice for the said competitions.
TURNS
`
Kimberly Balusca runs barefoot on the inner lane striving to finish her 400m field event at Camp Crame oval.
Photo by Louise Dimatulac
“I'm overwhelmed and excited this upcoming regional meet dahil nasa next level na ako at mas magagaling ang mga makakalaban ko ngayon,” said the silver medalist.. “Masaya para sa akin na makalaro ang mga magagaling dahil magagamit ko ang mga tactics at makaka-discover ng bagong moves,” she added.
T
he school’s Paralympic team proved to be a powerhouse, grabbing 11 medals and qualifying for regional games.
Given the variety of disabilities the paralympic athletes have, they competed in multi-sports events during the Quezon City Division Meet at Amoranto Sports Complex on November 25 to December 1. The winners were the following: Benjie Navarro, one gold medal each on shotput, 200-m and 400-m track; Ishmael Magsanop, two gold medals in running long jump and 100-m track plus a silver medal in shot put; Kim Balusca, one silver medal in 200m track and field and one gold medal in 400m track and field; Reinieby Hermonio, one gold medal in 100m track and field; Arbbie Borlagan, one bronze medal in 100m dash; and Benjamin Jongaya, one silver in running long jump. The differently abled gold medalists are set to compete in the Regional Athletic Meet to be hosted by Makati City.