Edsel Tan, Blue Golfer

The humble beginnings of Edsel Tan (I AB IS) in the field of golf started at age 10, when he was under the tutelage of professional trainer, Amado Soquino. Not long ago, he was among the varsity members of Cebu Bethany Christian School’s golf team.

In line with his excellence in this sport, Ateneo offered Edsel the opportunity to join the team in its quest to bring back the prestige it once achieved. With some serious thought, Edsel finally accepted.

On the greens, this rookie can be seen working on his game especially as the upcoming main event, the Writer’s Cup tournament, fast approaches. As a Blue Golfer, he looks forward to meeting his new teammates while representing the school in future competitions.

But when there are no balls being struck and no bunker shots being practiced, Edsel can be found focusing on his academics. He values education as much as the sport he loves most. His mindset seems rooted in performing well over the course of his studies while keeping his athletic responsibilities straight.

“It’s not only in the physical matters where you practice, maintain your health, or go to the gym but where your mind is, that’s where you will be going.”

Edsel gives us the impression that he’s ready to chase success during his stay in Team Ateneo. Lastly, he reveals a little secret he lives by: “Work hard as if you’re doing it for God, not for men.”

Carlos Soriano, Blue Trackster

“Better late than never” best describes Carlos Xavier Soriano’s (I AB Comm) athletic journey. Soy, as his friends call him, had been part of the basketball team since he was in Grade 7. Now, he’s a fully committed member of the Ateneo Track & Field Team.

Soy credits his new venture to his high school coach, Ed Sediego, who encouraged him to try out a sport altogether new to him. However, he failed to train during his junior year and, hence, was denied the opportunity to compete with the UAAP track team. He made up for this in his senior year which saw him debut on the track oval. Since then, he’s been running and jumping on the oval wearing the blue and white.

Soy says that he has fear of defeat and this is what fuels him during competitions. Although he hasn’t won any award for track and field yet, he has successfully managed to set new personal bests in this year’s National Open.

He further says that he and the entire team are training hard for this season. “We have a shot at [the crown]. Compared to previous years, this year there’s a fighting chance,” he discloses.

True enough, there is no stopping Soy from sprinting his way to his first medal.

Nikki Capinpin, Lady Woodpusher

“I never picked Ateneo for the varsity team,” says Nikki Capinpin (I AB Eco). This rookie Woodpusher, who was an honor student in high school, takes her academics seriously. Eventually, she hopes her education attained at Loyola Schools could one day fulfill her dreams of becoming of a lawyer.

But this Blue recruit also focuses on sports as best as she can.

“Nakakasabaw! (It’s crazy!)” Nikki says laughingly as she described her balancing act.

This Woodpusher was selected to represent the country in the last SEA Games. Now, as she represents the blue and white, her goal-oriented attitude gives her confidence.

“Even though I’m a rookie, I hope to help this team out,” she adds. But despite the team’s past struggles, she envisions them succeeding this UAAP season.

She always looks to her family for motivation and support as she faces daring odds. But with her incomparable work ethic and potential, she seems ever closer to positioning a checkmate on her goals.

Nikki hopes that, in the near future, she would be dominating the country’s courtrooms as well as the chess boards. She has all the right moves within reach.

EJ Plan, Blue Woodpusher

EJ Plan (I BS Mgt) will be the first to tell you that chess isn’t the most glamorous sport. But this rookie Woodpusher would pick it any day over the crowds of basketball and volleyball.

After showing his talent at the junior’s level at Ateneo High, he now joins the ranks of the Blue Woodpushers. EJ admits that it’s a whole new chess game at the college level.

“It’s really much more difficult now compared to high school, we have heavy training and even have homework from our coach,” explained the freshman. He also recalls the day to day struggle competing at a much higher level.

But for the newest piece to the team’s ranks, it’s all about desire. He isn’t shy about his love for the game and uses this as well as his newfound friends on the team as motivation.

“I don’t expect to be a big player on the team but I will contribute whatever points I can,” said EJ.

His training doesn’t stop in school as he works on his chess game at home. He acknowledges his weaknesses and room for improvement. But this Woodpusher, driven by desire, should never be underestimated. His passion in the sport is something true athletes rarely possess.

Princess Trinidad, Lady Eagle

A spiker turned shooter, an Archer turned Eagle. Indeed, the Lady Eagles’ new spitfire point-guard Princess Trinidad (I BS CTM) has a knack for crossing over borders.

Mainly because of her siblings’ influence, Princess started out spiking volleyballs for her grade school team. Yet, as she learned basketball through her friends and gave in to their insistence that she play for the basketball varsity as well, she discovered her true calling.

“Ever since [I learned how to play], I [became] in love with basketball,” she relates.

Looking at what she has achieved thus far, with six championships from different leagues under her belt and two “Mythical Five” citations in the WNCAA, she did make the right choice. In fact, this two-time Most Valuable Player from De La Salle Zobel is a one of the prized recruits disputed upon by several schools including Ateneo and La Salle.

However, she pointed out, “La Salle recruited me. But since first year high school, it has been my dream to be in Ateneo.”

Despite her achievements, Princess admits that playing in the collegiate level – with faster and more skilled players competing in a more physical game – demands adjustments, especially since she’s shorter than most players.

But she remains optimistic, gradually learning to maximize her assets by concentrating on her defense and her speed.

Ryan Buenafe, Blue Eagle

A new Eagle is wearing lucky number 13. Many basketball fans may know him as NCAA’s triple-double specialist and the top dog of the recruiting class of 2008. But for now, he is one of Ateneo’s latest recruits.

Despite being a freshman, Ryan Buenafe (I AB IS) is certainly no newbie on the hardcourt. He has in fact led his high school to three straight NCAA Juniors Championships, while bagging himself two Finals MVP and one Season MVP awards.

The march to Katipunan was not an easy decision since so many universities were recruiting him even before the last basketball season ended. However, Ryan prioritized his education and later on opted to don the Blue and White.

He admits that the expectations of Ateneo supporters can sometimes be intimidating. “Pressure talaga eh. Ang laki ng expectations sa aming mga rookie. Pero syempre proud ako kasi Ateneo. Maraming gustong makapasok sa team (There’s pressure.. There are a lot of expectations from us rookies. But of course I’m proud since this is Ateneo. Many people want to make it to the team),” he says.

He has already showcased his skills in the pre-season tourneys but the real deal is the UAAP where he is thrust into the starter’s role. “Mas masaya ‘to kasi UAAP at mas maganda maglaro kasi seniors na (This is more exciting because it’s already the UAAP seniors),” he adds. And indeed, Ateneo fans will see the makings of a King Eagle for the coming years ahead.