BECOMING A member of the Ateneo Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF) is no easy feat, as inductees need a minimum of 50 points to first be considered eligible for nomination. These points are collected based on their achievements in major sports championships and contributions to the University’s sports program. Among those who have been inducted is former University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) multisport star Peachy Cheng Medina, the first woman to receive the award during its most recent iteration in November 2018.
The triennial awards return this year and will see a new batch of deserving awardees take their place in the Hall of Fame and hopefully follow in Medina’s footsteps. Despite her numerous achievements and financial contributions to the University’s athletic program, Medina remains firm in her mission to improve women’s sports even after her induction into the ASHOF.
On the right track
Medina’s passion for sports began long before she competed in the UAAP. In fourth grade, she was inspired by the dedication of her coach, Gloria Co, to begin competing in track events for her alma mater: Grace Christian College. Upon experiencing a growth spurt in the fifth grade, she was reassigned to field events such as shot-put and discus throw since her height provided her with a competitive advantage over her opponents.
However, Medina wanted to excel in more than one sport and started playing basketball in grade six. By the time she was a junior in high school, she was recruited by both the 1984 U-20 Philippine Youth Team and the 1984 Philippine Senior National Team. As a member of both national teams, Medina competed in the 1984 Jones Cup, the 1984 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) U-20 Tournament, and the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Women’s Asia Cup in Shanghai.
Upon entering Ateneo for college, Medina hoped to continue playing both basketball and track and field, but initially found herself having to compromise. She committed her talents to the track and field team, where she continued to compete in the shot-put, discus throw, and the javelin throw events. However, since Ateneo did not have an official women’s basketball team at the time, she decided to momentarily leave basketball behind and venture into football.
When Ateneo hosted the UAAP season in her junior year, the University decided to transform the women’s basketball club into an official varsity team in order to participate in the tournament. Despite UAAP Season 50 being their first season playing in the big league, Medina and the team made it all the way to the finals where they played against the University of Santo Tomas.
Although Medina played through the finals with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) that she picked up from a previous football game, the team finished with an impressive silver medal. While Medina continued competing in track and field and basketball after tearing her ACL, the injury caused a significant drop in her performance which she likens to the end of her career. Despite this unfortunate development, Medina still racked up an impressive 15 UAAP track and field medals in her UAAP career—10 of which were gold—while also holding the UAAP shot-put record.
Pioneer for women’s sports
Wanting to give back to the University after her successful athletic career, Medina continues to support Ateneo sports by giving financial contributions to the Women’s Track and Field Team and the Women’s Basketball Team (AWBT). This desire to give back stemmed from Medina’s experience of benefitting from the generosity of her benefactors back in her playing days.
“I’m paying it forward and hopefully, giving opportunities also [to] other athletes,” she said. Through her financial support, she hopes the University will be able to obtain UAAP championships, develop student-athletes, and continue a culture of winning and excellence in Ateneo sports.
As a sponsor for the AWBT, Medina naturally feels a sense of fulfillment at seeing the fruits of her financial contributions. With her support, the AWBT acquired better training equipment, a revamped coaching staff, a new video analysis room, and more focus on applying sports psychology in coaching which all point to stronger physical, tactical, and mental development for female athletes.
With the impact she has had on the University’s athletic program, previously as an athlete and currently as a benefactor, she was deservedly inducted into the ASHOF. However, for her, the highlight of receiving the recognition was not the award itself but breaking the “proverbial glass ceiling” that held back female athlete recognition.
Changing the game
Through her inclusion in the ASHOF, Medina’s accomplishments as a female athlete and the progress she is championing as a sponsor of women’s sports were fully recognized. Apart from this, her induction points towards greater inclusion for women in the ASHOF.
However, the development of women’s sports does not end with her induction, and more support and attention must still be given to allow the women’s sporting scene to reach its full potential. “Palaging kulang (It is always not enough). The growth rates are different, the developmental rates are different [from men’s sports], so we need to step on the pedal,” said Medina.
With her sense of urgency and drive, Medina’s championing of women’s sports sets a good example for both female athletes and those supporting the industry. Her legacy is cemented not only in her 15 UAAP medals and her ASHOF award, but in the Lady Eagles that have now been given better opportunities to win their own championships and write their own stories because of her.
