Softball
Year & Course: I AB Psychology
Height: 5’0”
Birthday: May 17, 1991
What do you bring to the team?
I’ll bring defense, since I’m a pitcher.
What has drawn you to your sport and has kept you playing?
This is a game where you really have to think, it’s not all about the physicality. There are rules and aspects of the game to develop.
What do you get out of your sport/best perk?
There’s no PE, no NSTP, and it’s nice to be a part of something.
Greatest achievement?
I have to say that it’s being able to play in a college team, because not everyone can play at this level.
How do you see yourself performing this year?
I hope I do right, since I have been training hard with the team since the summer.
How would you define a “successful athlete”?
A successful athlete is an athlete playing at their peak, named as one of the greatest, and still being humble about it.
Where do you see yourself eight years from now?
I hope to be successful. I wish I will still be playing by that time, but I think it’s hard to get into the national team. Either I will play or I will coach little kids.
Natasha Faustino
Volleyball
Year & Course: I AB Interdisciplinary Studies
Height: 5’3’’
Weight: 138 lbs.
Birthday: January 15, 1992
What do you bring to the team?
I serve as the back-up setter for Jem Ferrer, who’s the only setter for the team.
What has drawn you to your sport and has kept you playing?
The game is fun and exciting. It drives you with passion, once you love it. I like that it is a team sport, and that everybody has to contribute and do their thing to win.
What do you get out of your sport/best perk?
I like the competition and the excitement of every point. I also like the challenge of improving myself with every training and game.
Greatest achievement?
Championships that I helped my team/s achieve. My being part of the RP Youth team in 2008 and my being captain of the NCR team for the 2009 Palarong Pambansa.
How do you see yourself performing this year?
I am still adjusting to college play but hopefully, I’ll improve and learn with every game.
How would you define a “successful athlete”?
One who is not only at the top of his game but also excels in academics.
Where do you see yourself 8 years from now?
Hopefully, in a job that I like and enjoy. I would also like to still be part of the sport in some way. Definitely I would still keep on playing volleyball because I love it and it is a great way to stay in shape!
Franco Imperial
Track
Year & Course: I AB Management Economics
Height: 5’’9 Weight: 141 lbs
Birthday: May 16, 1991
What do you bring to the team?
I bring to the team my talent, my mentality, and my commitment.
What has drawn you to your sport and has kept you playing?
Track and field is very technical. Its technicality requires a lot of practice and a lot of patience. Its technicality challenges me and brings me the desire to master and perfect it.
What do you get out of your sport/best perk?
The best perk I assure you is having self-discipline. Because of the self-discipline I’ve been practicing from this sport, it’s easier for me to balance my time, to stay focused when needed, and also, to try and help me keep my cool during pressured situations.
Greatest achievement?
I was in second year high school; I wasn’t accepted for the track team. I worked hard for it, worked my ass off running twice a day and still, I wasn’t that fast enough to make the team. Finally, the coach picked me, though half-heartedly. I didn’t make him regret one bit for picking me when I won a bunch of medals, got picked as the team captain, and was chosen for the Palarong Pambansa ‘09.
How do you see yourself performing this year?
I’m still recovering from a recent torn hamstring so I know I won’t be able to run as fast as I possibly can this UAAP. But still, I will give it my all.
How would you define a “successful athlete”?
For me, a successful athlete would mean doing well at his/her sport and still having a life other than his/her sport.
Where do you see yourself 8 years from now?
I see myself taking my masters’ [degree] out of the country… and still, enjoying myself.
Ines Lorenzo
Football
Year & Course: I AB Interdisciplinary Studies
Height: 5’ 2.5”
Weight: 125 lbs
Birthday: June 19
What do you bring to the team?
A new perspective and more options. There are 11 players on the field. It’s in knowing how to use each one that the team gels. Adding one more to the team can broaden those options. There is healthy competition and more possibilities.
What has drawn you to your sport and has kept you playing?
I love the game, football. It just takes that one accurate pass, one strong block, one amazing clear, or even that one perfect goal to make all the difference. I get this rush and I feel that thrill. And I want to do it over and over again.
What do you get out of your sport/best perk?
Right now, no PE (laughs). But there’s that feeling of purpose. There’s that sense of accomplishment. I don’t really know what I want. But through this, there is direction. Also, I’m part of a team. There will always be someone to fall back on and support me.
Greatest achievement?
In this sport, for me, it was being able to play for the Philippines. To make it into the team was one thing, but surviving it was another. I was exposed to hard training, different players from different backgrounds, and coaches with different coaching and playing styles.
How do you see yourself performing this year?
Hopefully, I’ll be able to do my part and do it well, that there is accuracy and quality in my performance. At least that’s what I’m working for.
How would you define a “successful athlete”?
Being an athlete, there’s always sacrifice. Everything you do on and off the field affects your game. It is in learning that discipline and developing your attitude that your character is built. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You know how to deal with different and unexpected situations.
Where do you see yourself 8 years from now?
I honestly don’t know. Whatever it is I’m going to be doing, I hope it’s fun and that I don’t regret anything that’s happened.
Nathan Sarigumba
Chess
Yr & Course: II BS Management-Honors
Height: 5’5.5”
Weight: 160 lbs
Birthday: August 15, 1991
What do you bring to the team?
I couldn’t really bring much to the team ability-wise, but one thing I can give to the team is my best effort and my commitment in helping myself and the whole team to improve.
What has drawn you to your sport and has kept you playing?
What has drawn me to chess is probably that I might actually do enjoy playing it even if I do have to just sit down and continually think for at most four straight hours in a game. The fact that not very many people were into it may also have helped.
What do you get out of your sport/best perk?
Probably one thing I could get from my sport is that it can help me improve in my analytical skills. Though, I would have to say that the more important one is that it helps me learn the values of diligence and perseverance. By playing the sport, I began to know how important it is to work hard for something you want. This may be something that could help me for the rest of my life. Of course, it’s also a big plus that I get to represent the Ateneo.
Greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement would have to be when I won the Most Outstanding Athlete award for one of my old school’s major leagues.
How do you see yourself performing this year?
At the moment, I think I wouldn’t be doing too well for this year’s UAAP season. The older members haven’t really placed very well in the past, and sadly, I’m still not that great in comparison to them.
How would you define a “successful” athlete?
A successful athlete for me would be one who has worked for all the achievements he or she has done and not someone who just won things out of talent. When a person works for something, it shows how much it really mattered to him. An athlete can only really appreciate his achievements when he or she has worked so hard for it.
Where do you see yourself eight years from now?
Eight years from now, I could see myself as someone working for one of the corporations in the Philippines…
