SPORTS TEAMS witness student-athletes come and go, resulting in a cycle of new leadership for a fresh batch of rookies. Urged to step up as the seniors of their respective teams, some Atenean student-athletes now bear the responsibility of being leaders despite their limited exposure to competing at the collegiate level. 

Due to the pandemic’s lockdown restrictions, the operations of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) were halted for two seasons, only resuming with full-calendar activities this year in Season 85. Now as seniors, these student-athletes are expected to take on the momentous responsibility of becoming captains, all while navigating uncharted waters.

Powering through adversity

As these rookies-turned-seniors assume their responsibilities, they simultaneously have to guide the new recruits in adjusting to the system. The unfamiliar setup limited their interactions within the team to online exchanges, testing their capacity to integrate those who had no experience with onsite practices.

“As much as possible we tried talking to them [rookies]. First, we built the connection and got to know them online, so they were not really weirded out by the whole setup and felt excluded,” said Daniel Britanico, Team Captain of the Ateneo Men’s Fencing Team (AMFT).

For the Men’s Football Team Captain Szymon Mercado, the disproportionate rookie-to-senior ratio of his team made it more difficult. “Back then [at the beginning of the year], we had 17 rookies and there were only eight of us seniors. As compared to before [the pandemic], the alumni would always have a majority of seniors to guide the rookies,” he said.

In addition to the challenges they experienced, improvisations had to be done as student-athletes coped with the limited resources they had at hand. Especially for team sports that are played on the field, training mostly revolved around strength and conditioning exercises as these were less tricky to perform in front of the screen.

“I guess ‘yung pinaka-struggle with that is not being able to execute the same softball skills at maximum capacity. In the field, ang lawak ng space mo tapos may partner ka pa (You have a wide space and a partner), so that’s actually another struggle we faced. We were doing things alone for the most part,” said Ateneo Women’s Softball Team Captain Sophia Santos.

On top of the minimal opportunities to properly assess and improve their team dynamic, these student-athletes also struggled with maintaining their motivation as they dealt with the uncertainty of their collegiate careers. Despite the odds stacked against them, they remained hopeful that UAAP would soon reopen for them to play their last games for the Blue and White.

Learning on the fly

Set on the goal of leading their teammates to victory this season, the seniors carried out different approaches in fostering teamwork and keeping the passion for sports alive even amid the pandemic-caused challenges.

 Taking on the captaincy role was initially not an easy feat for these seniors in the midst of limited space and inaccessible equipment. The captains had to figure out how to apply alternatives in home-based training. For instance, makeshift targets such as towels, rubber balls, and chairs were utilized in the online setups. In the end, training with household supplies has taught all sports teams the value of simplicity and creativity in maximizing remote workouts. In turn, the seniors’ exercise of resourcefulness inspired their teammates to be resilient amid unforeseen circumstances.

Aside from prioritizing physical conditioning, the captains equally stressed the importance of soft skills such as communication and camaraderie. The captains maximized the online setting by engaging their teams in virtual get-togethers and playing games to uplift player morale. Additionally, the captains were also patient in introducing the training flow to the rookies so that the transition to on-site operations would not be a completely new experience to them.

Though unable to execute sport-specific skills at maximum capacity, the student-athletes eagerly upheld the competitive atmosphere in home-based training. Driven by the intent of competing for their sports and for Ateneo, the captains were not hampered by constrictive circumstances in empowering their teammates and establishing a fighting spirit.

The big day

Having successfully traversed the challenges prompted by the remote setup, these rookies-turned-captains are excited to showcase their talent in the upcoming UAAP Season 85.

Although nervous about returning after a long pause, the captains have set their minds on using the lessons they learned and fully embracing their roles as leaders. Britanico will be staying for a fifth year with the AMFT, but he remains inspired to give his all for the team’s graduating seniors. Meanwhile, Santos and Mercado have accepted the challenge of leading their young and rookie-laden squads forward for their last years.

“There are three C’s of being a captain: caring, courageous, and consistent. [Especially] courageous, because despite all the doubts of not really having that full experience, you have to let go of those uncertainties and just face everything head on,” said Santos.

While the upcoming season may be their last chance to deliver, these seniors learned how to manage the expectations set on them and show up for their teammates. They tirelessly emphasized building their teams’ support systems and fostering an encouraging environment. Thus, even during the lockdown, they constantly reminded each other of the days when they could finally play again.

“We didn’t want to remain stagnant during the pandemic. We wanted to come out of quarantine still ready to play, conditioned, and ready to win,” emphasized Britanico. Mercado shared the same sentiment: “As a team, I inculcated in them what’s at stake. I always tell them that there’s always the next season that we can prepare for, and it’s really the reason why we train hard—to play in the upcoming season.”

With the welfare of their whole pack to think about, these captains have grown to believe in one another, focusing more on what they could achieve as a team and not just on their individual goals.

Lessons and legacies

These seniors’ unwavering commitment to embracing the roles entrusted to them by their teammates proves that a captain’s aptitude is not solely established by experience. Their grit and dedication to shoulder greater responsibilities are what inspire their respective teams to foster a culture of excellence in the face of adversity.

Focused on ensuring that their teams have a taste of what it feels like to compete—and win—the rookies-turned-seniors refuse to dwell on the past and what cannot be changed. Instead, they are empowered to leave a lasting impact on their respective teams and set up all the players for success. Their determination to overcome hardships serves as inspiration to the Atenean community, asserting that perseverance is a strength that transcends profound athleticism.

While the UAAP and other leagues may loom overhead, the legacies imparted by the new captains will remain ingrained in their teams through any crisis or achievement.