Jasmine Ong
Photo by Abram P. Barrameda
SENIOR LADY Tanker Jasmine Ong made sure to leave her mark before exiting the collegiate stage. She exemplifies the qualities of a model student-athlete, successfully balancing her sport with her academics and extra-curricular activities. A consistent dean’s lister, member of the Ateneo Association of Communications Majors and a swim team medalist, Ong rightfully deserves her most recent title: The 2014 Ambrosio Padilla Athlete of the Year.
Ong, a communication major, started her swimming career at the tender age of six. She started her training in the Celebrity Anacondas swim club, then transferred to the Ayala Harpoons swim club, where current Ateneo Swimming Program Director Archie Lim started to mentor her.
Ong was a consistent qualifier of the Southeast Asian Age Group Championships from 2009 to 2011, garnering a bronze medal in the 50-meter freestyle event in 2009. She also represented the country in numerous international competitions, such as the 2012 Asean University Games, where she was able to earn a silver medal in the 400-meter Freestyle relay together with Lady Tankers Celina Gonzalez and Kimberly Uy and UP Fighting Maroon Claire Adorna.
Ong was also a consistent medalist in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Swimming Championships. In Season 73, she bagged the Rookie of the Year award. Throughout her UAAP career, her performance has been integral to her team’s consistent podium finishes. This Season 76, Ong was able to bring home a gold medal in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay and a silver medal in the 50-meter freestyle event.
Both Ong’s academic and swimming career are highly commendable. With all that she has achieved, she wants to serve as an inspiration to all the other athletes. “Being a student-athlete has its tough moments and it’s inevitable to have days when you want to give up,” shares Ong. “But any goal can be achieved if we stay committed. In the end, all the hard work is definitely worth it.”
Marck Espejo
Photo by Francine A. Bharwani
Marck Espejo has been dubbed one of the Ateneo’s “phenoms,” joining the likes of Kiefer Ravena of the Blue Eagles and Alyssa Valdez of the Lady Spikers in holding that distinction. And after only a year of action in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the interdisciplinary studies freshman has already proven that he is worthy of the title.
Espejo was a prized recruit and the university definitely had lofty expectations for him. But even with the hype that surrounded him him, no one predicted that he would have as big of an impact as he did on the men’s volleyball team, especially as a rookie player.
In the process of leading the Blue Spikers to their first Finals appearance and a second place finish, the best in team history, the 6’2” freshman etched his name in the Ateneo’s history books by securing both the Rookie of The Year and Most Valuable Player (MVP) plums in his first year donning the Blue and White.
Without a doubt, Espejowas at the forefront of the Blue Spikers’ success this year. Because of his crucial role in their championship chase and the overall improvement of the team, the 17-year old was named the 2014 GUIDON-Moro Lorenzo Sportsman of The Year.
Amidst all the awards and the sudden rise to fame, Espejo remains humble and is quick to deflect the attention back to the team. “May laging sinasabi si Coach sa akin (There is something that Coach always tells me), ‘Individual accolades come with team success,’” recalls Espejo.
Espejo has shown sparks of brilliance all throughout the season, proving without a doubt that his game is MVP-worthy and will only get better in the coming years. It is hard to imagine that this is only his rookie year with all that he has already accomplished. With four more years of eligibility, Espejois on his way to establishing a well-decorated career in the UAAP. And with him leading the way, it won’t come as a surprise if the Blue Spikers lift the coveted men’s volleyball championship in the near future.
Bianca Carlos
Photo by Isabella L. Yatco
THE REMARKABLE passion for badminton possessed by a talented yet humble Lady Shuttler was finally recognized. Interdisciplinary studies freshman Bianca Carlos was awarded the GUIDON- Moro Lorenzo Sportswoman of The Year for her outstanding work on the badminton court this year.
Carlos’ badminton career began when she was finally in badminton classes with former national team player Wilson Frias as her coach. She then transferred to Asuncion Badminton Center where she was personally mentored by Nelson Asuncion and his daughter, Kennie Asuncion, who is currently the head coach of both the Ateneo men’s and women’s badminton teams.
Carlos started beating records and bagging medals at an early age. But it was in this year’s University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s badminton tournament that she truly reached her peak.
For the 76th season of the UAAP, Carlos intensified her training regimen, tripling it in order to continue improving and polishing her game. She trained three times a day for six days, leaving Sunday as the only day to truly focus on her academics.
“In the morning, I train from 7:30 to 10:30, then I have class from 10:30 to 12:30. I have a two-hour break. I don’t eat lunch. I run in Moro or do weights, then class from 2:30 to 3:30. At 5:00, I have training again,” shares Carlos.
Carlos’ hard work and determination was not at all put to waste in her debut season in the UAAP as she not only swept both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Rookie of The Year awards, but also led the Lady Shuttlers to their second consecutive title.
Aside from dominating the UAAP scene, Carlos’ other achievements include topping the Philippine Badminton Ranking System in the Open Women’s Singles, 19-under Girls Singles and 19-under Girls Doubles with fellow Lady Shuttler Trixie Malibiran.
For next season, Carlos plans on duplicating her MVP performance this year and continuing to be a key player for the Lady Shuttlers as the team will try to defend their crown. “I’ll train more, I’ll focus more,” says Carlos with determination.
