PHOTO BY RYAN Y. RACCA

Justin Natividad

OVER THE course of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) tournaments, certain athletes stand out in their respective fields not only because of their outstanding skill in their respective games, but also because of the their fortitude during challenges times. One such player is interdisciplinary studies senior Justin Natividad of the Ateneo Blue Shuttlers.

Natividad identifies his quick formulation of on-court strategies as one of his key strengths. “I admit that I have to work on the power of my smash and drive, but I see to it that I am ahead during games through smart observance of my opponent’s moves that help me determine where to direct my smash,” he says.

For Head Coach Kennie Asuncion, on the other hand, Natividad’s greatest advantage is his resolve during games that helps him battle out his opponents until the end. “On court, Justin plays with instincts and he’s good at it, but what I like most about him is his fighting spirit and in his determination to give every match his best,” she says.

Natividad admits with much pride that he could not have achieved his success by himself. He owes it to his teammates who face the challenges of coping up with pressure alongside him. “We are lucky to have new recruits this year that are as hungry for the title as we veterans are. None of us could have achieved our feat alone because each one really had a part to play in our drive for the UAAP title.”

Natividad’s career highlights include his number one ranking in the Under-19 Singles division of the Philippine Badminton Ranking System for the year 2012, as well as his number three ranking in the open category of the same tournament for 2013. However, what he considers his greatest feat is the championship title for the 74th season of the UAAP, a title that he wishes to secure once again this season.

An athlete’s skill is not measured merely by how fast he is or how powerful his shots are, but with his consistently positive outlook despite the pressure and the failures he encounters. With this kind of attitude, Natividad is looking to make his career flourish even more in the tournaments to come.

PHOTO BY ALEXIS A. CASAS

Thea Caluma

THE ATENEO Lady Tankers wrapped up Season 76 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) with their fifth consecutive bridesmaid finish. With the help of Thea Caluma, however, it may not be long before they reach the ultimate goal of finishing at the very top.

The environmental science freshman made waves at her first UAAP season, a four-day tilt held in the Trace Aquatics Center in Los Baños, Laguna. Expected to rake in a significant number of points for the Lady Tankers, Caluma, a four-time Palarong Pambansa entrant, did not disappoint.

On the second day of competition, she wound up just a spot shy of a podium finish for both the 50m and 800m freestyle events. The standout from Miriam College High School also bagged points during the 400m freestyle and 100m butterfly events, where she finished fifth and sixth respectively.

By the season’s end, she had landed four top-eight spots in the finals in the UAAP, earning her the title of Rookie of the Year.

Coming off a stellar high school career, Caluma has been surrounded by much hype ever since she joined the university league. However, she admitted that the Rookie of the Year plum was not one she expected.

“I have been training and preparing for this season since the start of the school year. But honestly, I was surprised that I got the Rookie of the Year award,” she said Caluma.

Beginning her swimming career at the age of nine, the Palaro gold medalist also saw action in the G-League National Swimming Championships, where she consistently garnered the I Am Xtreme award for long course events. An aquabelle for the Junior National Swimming Team, she has also been diving into international waters since 2010, competing in the Southeast Asia Age Group Swimming Championships.

Though her first year competing in the UAAP did not end with a championship win, Caluma is not discouraged. “I believe that we have a huge chance at the championship next year,” she said. “It has been five years of runner-up finishes, but that only gives us more reason to train and work harder for next year.”

PHOTO BY ARTHUR J. TAN

Aaron Francis C. Agojo

MANAGEMENT SOPHOMORE Aaron Francis Agojo has more than a decade’s worth of taekwondo experience under his black belt. Given that he came armed with both local and international competition experience, his commendable performance during Season 76 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) came as no surprise.

The former University of Santo Tomas high school standout made his debut as a Blue Jin this season, having sat out the games last year to comply with residency rules. Finally able to take his place on the mats, he finished the season with a gold medal in the sparring event and bronze medals in both the pair and team Poomsae events.

“This is the year I really excelled. My major goals were achieved this year. At the same time, it wasn’t only I who triumphed, but the team as well,” he says.

As is the case with many other stellar athletes, Agojo began playing the sport because of the influence of his family. He shares that it was his cousins who served as his main inspiration for pursuing taekwondo, as they also represented their respective schools in various tournaments. “Mga varsity players din sila, tapos nagtuloy-tuloy lang ako (My cousins were also varsity players and I just followed along),” he says.

However, at first it was simply genuine fondness for taekwondo that pushed him to continue training. Never did he imagine that the sport would eventually lead him to golden opportunities such as international competitions and athletic scholarships.

His decision to choose the Ateneo for college was not only because he wanted to don the Blue and White on the mats, but also because he believed in the quality education that the university offers.

A National Team member, Agojo has triumphed in different international competitions. Just this year, he bagged a gold medal in the ASEAN Taekwondo Championships and a pair of silver medals in the Asian Youth Games and Asian Junior Taekwondo Championships.

Agojo attributes his successes to three important lessons he’s learned from his sport: “Discipline, confidence and determination. Yung tatlong ito, hindi lang sa taekwondo puwede i–apply—kadalasan pati sa buhay (These three things are not only applicable to taekwondo—they are often applicable in life as well).”