An Encounter with the Tigresses
By: Jose F. Sarsoza Jr. & Nathanlie Baldoza
The lady spikers’ multicolored shoelaces tell it all. At first glance, one may think they’re there to attract—or distract—attention or perhaps to make a fashion statement (don’t some famous athletes do?), or perhaps as they say in street lingo, “pa effect lang.” But there is a deeper meaning to it all: those multicolored shoelaces represent unity amid diversity. And unity being the hallmark of teamwork is the essence of team spirit.
The University of Santo Tomas Spiking Tigresses, five-time Grand Slam volleyball champs, are as diverse in their personality, playing style, height, place of origin as they are in taste, course preference, you name it. But in court discipline and devotion to the sport prevail.
As coach Cesael “Shaq” Delos Santos explains: “Indeed, we stress discipline, devotion and teamwork, but more important than these is the players’ academic standing. We do practice a lot because practice not only makes perfect, it fosters good teamwork and team spirit but we always see to it that these players don’t neglect their studies. We keep on reminding them to set their goal high not only in volleyball but also in their studies. It is very important for them to earn a degree because playing volleyball is not a lifetime career... they must have something that they can really be proud of.
How are these players who come from different parts of the country selected?
“We have different processes,” says Coach Shaq, “some are from Palarong Pambansa, others are from high school leagues. But really the problem is a lot of coaches go to these leagues especially at Palarong Pambansa, so the competition is really stiff. But there are coaches in these leagues who are kind enough to refer good players to us. Of course, the important thing is that these players who come to us are given tryouts to really determine their potential and skill.”
What makes a champion, we ask Coach Shaq. “Determination, dedication, discipline plus the player’s potential—these are very important elements to being a champion. Combine all these with good team work, coordination and the will to win and you’ll surely produce a champion.”
“But,” he quickly adds, “there are times when you experience defeat of course. And this is the time when you can closely examine yourself. In our case, we take time viewing the video and discuss what went wrong and find ways to improve on our weaknesses.”
Talking about multicolored shoelaces and the indomitable will to win—leave it to the UST Spiking Tigresses to make your day.
Isn’t she Maizo?” Though it sounds rather technical and academic than intimate, Aiza just nods and smiles every time she overhears people talk about her identity even in places she thinks no one will recognize her. But unlike her athletic skill that has catapulted her in the center front of Philippine volleyball, she still gets amazed at the kind of attention she attracts in public since coming to Manila five years ago.
Who would have thought that the lass from Iloilo, who was once passionate about track and field, long jump, and high jump would be sidetracked to volleyball and one day be adjudged MVP and lauded as the Best Blocker and Best Attacker in various tourneys? “When we were thirdrd year high school, my friends and I decided to try playing volleyball just for the fun of it,” Aiza recalls. “But just like the other sports that I engaged myself into, I had fallen in love with it and got hooked. And when the Palarong Pambansa was held in Iloilo, I was drdrafted to play for Region 6.”
That served as the turning point of her young life as an athlete. She might have made quite an impression for she received full scholarship offers from some leading universities in the country even before the annual meet ended. “I didn’t know which offer to take. I was so confused at that time that I didn’t know what to do,” Aiza confesses. “I just said to myself that I would go with the first coach who would go to our house and talk to my parents about scholarship.”
As a junior Technological Livelihood Education student and Grand Slam team captain, Aiza balances her time between studies and plays. “I have been a university scholar since first year and set sights on earning a degree. I play volleyball to be in school. Not the other way around. But I get to enjoy the perks of going to school because of my love of playing volleyball.”
"Patience.” Answers 2010 UAAP MVP Rhea Katrina Dimaculangan when asked about the lesson she has learned from playing volleyball that she can apply to her studies. “When we trained hard,rd,rd, we could expect for the best outcome. That applies to studies too. When we are patient enough at striving to get high grades, our patience will bear good results,” Rhea explains.
At times she finds juggling both studies and games taxing. “There were cases that I could no longer study my lessons due to fatigue. I had to sleep instead,” she discloses. She adds that in most occasions she has to drag herself out of bed just to scan her notes for her classes the following day.
As early as grade two she could play volleyball already. But it was in the fourth grade when she started to compete. “When I was growing up I drdreamed of following the footsteps of Leila Barrrros. The famous Brazilian volleyball player,r, remember?” She asked as if it would be impossible for us not to know Leila. “I wanted to become like her.”
So after her graduation from UST high school she was asked to participate in the tryouts and indeed, she qualified. In fact, this year will be her fourth year with the team. And true to her childhood drdream of becoming like her idol, she became famous.
“I am still not used to people coming toward me for autograph signing and picture taking,” Rhea admits demurely. But with a unique style of setting the ball, impenetrable defense, and an unflinching spirit, who wouldn’t like to meet a girl like Rhea Dimaculangan?
Do you pray for the defeat of your opponents? Maika Angela Ortiz is asked.
“No.”
If they wouldn’t want their opponents to suffer defeat, did it mean they didn’t want to win? If they didn’t want to win, didn’t it imply they wanted the opposing team to win?
“Of course, we want to win,” Maika clarifies. “What we pray for is for God to help us give our best for the game. We don’t pray for the misfortune of others. In sports playing is not all about winning but making friends.”
What an attitude from someone who might not have experienced the feeling of losing before joining the team! “I wasn’t recruited because I could play excellent volleyball but primarily because of my height,” she reveals good-naturedly.
Just like in all endeavors, defeat is inevitable. Maika shares that every time they would lose a match, they would review the video of the game and set their minds to improve what had gone amiss. “Losing is uncomfortably painful. But it gives you the will to win the next game,” she relates.
“In our own experience we usually win after losing,” Maika adds. “We may experience defeats Leonat some points but we will never stop believing in ourselves. With constant practice, will to win, and discipline there’s nothing we cannot attain.”
Jose F. Sarsoza Jr is editor and Nathanlie M. Baldoza is a staff member of Health & Home.
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