These veterans will play big roles for their respective teams’ campaigns in the second round of UAAP Season 75.

Amy Ahomiro, Volleyball

By Chino C. Razon

WITH A finals appearance the previous year, five outstanding veterans, an offensive juggernaut in Alyssa Valdez and a will to win it all, the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team is ready for a strong run this Season 75. There is one important element, however, that has been overlooked: Amy Ahomiro, a veteran who has the potential to provide that extra spark to lift the team to success.

Ahomiro was sidelined last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. While others lose hope when incurring such injuries, Ahomiro makes it a point to be a team player and contributes to the development of the younger players. “As you get older, you have to lead the younger people on the team,” says Ahomiro. “[Coach Gorayeb] expects you to develop more of a leadership role.”

Standing at 5’10”, the tallest in the team, Ahomiro plays a utility role. This means that she always has to be prepared for whatever situation the game calls for. “When someone is injured or lacking on the team, I try to be there mind, spirit and body,” she says. “I just try to come in with a new perspective, a new look on everything and I just try to work my hardest.”

Supersenior Jem Ferrer says, “She’s very athletic. She improved her blocking so much [that it] can contribute points for the team.”

Batchmate and veteran Den Lazaro also adds, “Amy always gives her all every training and she puts her best foot forward in every situation. Seeing how she is inspires me to do my best too.”

With a hardworking athlete like Ahomiro on board, the Lady Spikers have little to worry about.

Milka Romero, Football

By Angelo F. Herbosa

“FINISHING—THAT’S what we lacked,” pointed out Bob Manlulo, the Lady Booters’ head coach, on his team’s loss to La Salle in Season 74. In fact, it was the one thing that was missing throughout the season, as they only finished in fifth place.

In the offseason, though, Manlulo did not have to look far to find a finisher. The answer was a tall veteran in his backline: Milka Romero, a junior and the current co-captain of the Lady Booters. Romero was a natural striker, but was switched from attack to defense last year.

“Last season, she played as one of the central defenders of the team,” shares Manlulo. “[She] showed a lot of character and aggressiveness.” This decision did bolster Ateneo’s defense, albeit it left the offense without a true poacher for goals.

This time around, the Lady Booters have reinforced their squad with Manlulo giving Romero free rein back in her favored attacking position. This move has already proven successful as Romero scored vital goals that helped the Lady Booters catch everyone by surprise with a second place finish in the Unigames.

“She’s been performing well,” comments Blue Booter Mikko Mabanag. “Ever since the Unigames, the level of her game is going up.”

Brimming with confidence, Romero is looking forward to the upcoming season. “I expect to score a lot of goals,” she shares. “Since I’m a striker, we won’t win if we don’t score.”

Things are looking up for the Lady Booters. Indeed, one thing is certain—they have found their finishing touch.

Cheska Altomonte, Softball

By Earl D.L. Forlales

TWO THINGS are on high priority in Lady Batters Co-captain Cheska Altomonte’s to-do list this season: toughen up and initiate. Bidding for a better finish for a Lady Batters squad that afforded only two wins last season, the 10-year field veteran says she needs to be a stronger leader to help bring the rookie-heavy squad up the podium.

“We are technically a new team,” says Altomonte. “We have six rookies and a new head coach. So we need to work on our teamwork and communication inside the field.” Ronnie Alvaran, former assistant coach, replaced Uly Mejia and now mentors the Lady Batters.

This year’s new recruits are looking up to their veterans to spark runs and set up plays. Altomonte believes she is ready to deliver for the team and lead them through Season 75.

It may be recalled that Altomonte was instrumental in one of the wins last season. The crew was caught in a standoff against La Salle at four-all when Altomonte hit a double and went for a run, following a single by Francesca Santos, for a 5-4 victory.

“As a player, I really look up to Cheese [Cheska]. She’s my younger sister but she’s very mature on the field, very focused and it’s obvious how passionate she is about the game. She’s one of our key players and is a very commanding presence on the field,” says Lady Batters Captain Antoinette Altomonte.

Meanwhile, veteran Lady Batter Bada la O’ shares that Altomonte “is a patient player, open to helpful tips from coaches and is very dependable. I feel very confident when the ball is hit to her during games.”

Miguel Sibayan, Track and Field

By Noelle M. Recio

IN THE world of sports, athletes usually wait for their chance at the spotlight. As old stars move on, new ones are given the opportunity to rise. For Miguel Antonio Sibayan, a veteran thrower of the Blue Tracksters, the time to shine has come.

A homegrown talent from the Ateneo de Manila High School, Sibayan is a heavy favorite for the gold medal in the discus and javelin throw. Spending his younger years playing baseball, he only began his career in track and field in his junior year of high school. “I wanted to try something new and it felt nice competing individually so you really can see how much you can do as an individual,” says the management of applied chemistry super senior.

The 5’9″ Sibayan wasn’t always the star people currently depict him to be. Since he has a smaller physique compared to his competitors, people had the tendency to count him out. “People don’t really see me as a thrower or as someone who can win a throwing event, but when I compete, I can show them what I can do,” says Sibayan.

Despite winning gold in the discus throw in the Unigames, Sibayan continues to stay on the grind—even on bad days. He says he is able to pull through with the help of his team.

“It may be an individual event, but when I see my teammates working hard, it pushes me to do the same, no matter how hard my day gets,” he shares.

Fellow trackster Rafael Guevarra comments, “He might not be heavy with words, but he inspires us through his actions and hard work.”