BEING IN Team B entails as much sacrifice, will, and commitment as a varsity member, but with half the perks. There is as much pressure to conquer, less fame to take pride in, and less fruits to reap. Yet in the midst of obscurity, there are still those who make a name for themselves once they go out and give their all for the school’s name.

Head Above Water

One cannot deny the fact that Hans Clifton Ang (III BS ME) is meant to be in the water.
Having learned to swim at age one, his skills were honed constantly from then on – allowing him to compete in swimming competitions by age six. Despite giving up the sport when he entered formal schooling, he was still able to make the varsity team in Grade 4 and stay with them through his high school days. And although he stopped on several occasions, he always found his way back to the gleaming blue waters of the pool.

Hans says that, as a Blue Tanker, he is eager to compete in the UAAP, and finds nothing wrong with being in Team B. In fact, he relates that the only major difference between being in Team A and Team B is the type of workouts that they do.

However, he admitted that there are times when it becomes difficult not being on the UAAP line-up. “There are those people who constantly tease me that I am just in Team B; [that] I don’t really represent the school.”

After spending a year on the training team, however, Hans relates, “being on Team B serves as a reminder and inspiration that I have to train harder to get into Team A; that our main role on the team is to improve and hopefully contribute come the following UAAP season.”

Asked what he thinks is necessary to stand out amidst the Tankers’ deep pool of talent, he points out three necessary values: “hard work, dedication and passion.”

A Paddler’s High Toss

It was nothing Trechelle Lyn Ras (III BS LM) expected. After giving a preview of her skills throughout her second semester Physical Education class, she was given the opportunity to try out for the table tennis varsity for membership to the Ateneo Lady Paddlers.

“It was a whole new world for me,” Trechelle says, who had no prior varsity experience. She recalls her first tryout and how her coach instilled the idea that it takes true commitment in order to make the squad.

Having to compete with other players for limited slots, she considered the amount of effort to retain her membership a daunting task. The Lady Paddler constantly dealt with several challenges during her time on the training team. She was always in the bubble, sacrificing time at home to attend her training schedule, which ate up a significant chunk of her evenings.

She describes the challenge of dealing with self-doubt and coping with the high level of play among the varsity members. “There were times [when] I would be in bed and think if I would train today”, says Trechelle on her struggle with training.

But her zeal paid off. She was the only trainee to remain with the team as her game gradually improved. Trechelle also began to have success on the court in various tournaments and opens.

She attributes her success to the teammates who helped her every step of the way. “Meeting new friends was helpful in dealing with my insecurities,” says the Lady Paddler of her teammates.

Looking back, she never expected to be where she is right now, one of the varsity’s newest members. Although she will not compete in this year’s UAAP due to her Junior Term Abroad, she is certain that she will be back smashing and serving upon her return.

As one of Ateneo’s unsung heroes, Trechelle describes her experience as “not being about jerseys and benefits but rather about commitment.”

Sibling Revelry

He shares a room and surname with sibling Chris Tiu, but this guy’s star shines on its own. Charles Justin Tiu (III BS Mgt), as a member of the Men’s Basketball Team B, is a player worth taking pride in. At 5’10”, it’s definitely hard to miss Charles in campus. In fact, just like his brother, he has won himself fans.

Charles started playing basketball when most of us still had milk teeth. He has already represented the school in various tourneys such as the Father Martin’s Cup, Home and Away League, and Fil-Oil Flying V Cup. Although he doesn’t play in the big leagues, he says that “just wearing that uniform that says Ateneo already means a lot. It’s always a great honor to represent your team, and you get recognized when your team plays well.”

Even if basketball is important to him, studying is still first priority. Because he is leaving for Austria this September for his Junior Term Abroad, he won’t be seen on the hardcourt this season. “It’s actually tough because I’ve always dreamed of playing for the UAAP team and to be teammates with my brother also. But I think there are more things to life than just basketball,” he confesses.

Being the King Eagle’s younger brother isn’t a bed of roses. Comparison is inevitable but Charles says that he’s mature enough to handle these issues. He explains, “People often tell me that I shouldn’t be following his footsteps, I should make a name for myself but I see his life and how successful he’s been, why not follow the way he does things?”