After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Palawan State University (PSU) will once again join the Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Colleges and Universities (STRASUC) Olympics, with 39 outstanding student athletes, all who are even more strengthened and ready for the upcoming sports events on April 24-29, 2022, at Lucban, Quezon, Philippines.
PSU-Sports Director, Prof. Vincent Esguerra, said the university started training right after hearing the plans of the STRASUC directors upon holding a bubble competition wherein only the athletes and the concerned personnel are allowed in the playing vicinity.
The sports director believes that upon having an early training for the said event, this will serve as a two-month strengthening and conditioning advantage for the student athletes.
“As early as January, this year, when we had a meeting with the STRASUC directors, my colleagues from other universities… I started early, so para may advantage. Sabihin natin na may advantage na tayo ng two months, training in two months,” said Esguerra.
Prof. Esguerra also recalled that 2019 was “not a great playing year for the university” although the state university came out as second best in the overall competing colleges and universities back then.
“As I recall, 2019 was not a great year for PSU for two consecutive years–2018, 2019, hindi tayo naging overall champion. From 2018, nag-improve tayo 2019. I think, naging second overall tayo,” said Esguerra.
“From that data, we can say na we are improving and from the result of that competition.. Hindi natin pababayaan yung grades ng mga estudyante,” the sports director added.
On-going trainings
The sports director shared the on-going trainings of the representatives for the said olympics, all being held in the university gym.
He also highlighted the university’s initiative to house the student athletes who are from the different branches of PSU in the various municipalities in the province.
“Here, sa PSU gym, on-going yung mga players sa basketball – 3×3 men and women. Nandito na rin, nagtetraining na yung sa dance sports natin, mga varsity natin. Yung futsal, continuous din yung trainings nila, but most of the players are from Quezon–they are the defending champions natin sa intramurals,” he said.
“We decided na dun na sila magtraining para maging intact, hindi maghiwa-hiwalay. Majority ng mga players natin nagttraining na, except for chess, 2 weeks ago lang kami nagkaroon ng chance na magkaselection,” said Esguerra.
Regarding the financial support for the athletes, the sports director said that the university is generous in supplying the basic needs of the individuals as well as for their ‘daily strengthening, conditioning, and skills training’.
“Lahat ng support na pupwede nating mabigay, binibigiay rin talaga. Ang iniba natin ngayon, papunta ng STRASUC yung mga bata, mas nilakihan na natin yung allowance nila as compared to 2 years ago. Per player. Dati-rati, mas malaki allowance ni coach, ngayon, mas malaki kay player,” he added.
“Ganun yung mga naiba. Yung uniform nila, dati-rati playing uniform lang binibigay. Ngayon, binigyan na natin sila ng jacket at jogging pants,”
The sports director also disclosed the university’s involvement in the Mindanao Peace Games – Women Empowerment through Sports last year, being the first and only university in Region IV and in the Philippines to be a member and have been involved in the said games.
The Palawan State University (PSU) delegation is set to leave the city on Aprill 22, two days before the start of the most-awaited events under the Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Colleges and Universities (STRASUC) Olympics.
Here is the list of the university’s prides for STRASUC 2022:
Badminton (Men’s Category)
Coach: Leonardo A. Desingaño Jr.
1) Randolph Brien R. Legaspi
2) John Louise A. Dile
Badminton (Women’s Category)
Coach: Nathaniel Lepasana
1) Divine Grace P. Malabuet
2) Ailene Z. Bautista
Basketball 3×3 (Men’s Category)
Coach: Framel A. Mabanglo
1) Ric France Philip E. Honrada
2) Kelvin Louie T. Rabuya
3) Adryc Allen Facundo Catapang
Basketball 3×3 (Women’s Category)
Coach: Mark Alvin Arzaga
1) Emie Grace P. Cadlaon
2) Rovie M. Pareño
3) Rosalie H. Obtina
Basketball 3-point Shooting (Men’s Category)
1) Gilbert S. Asman
Basketball 3-point Shooting (Women’s Category)
Coach: Shan Fritz Delos Santos
1) Thatiana Ross Melecio
Chess (Men’s Category)
Coach: Arnold Marie Calbentos
1) Elyson Panolino
2) Sean Carlo Lorzana
Chess (Women’s Category)
Coach: Diana Lou Bautista
1) Jina Theresa Juan Tero
2) Qrystalle Gales
Dance Sports (Latin Category)
Coach: Cherry Anne S. Nambong
1) Rica Mae R. Villasista
2) Mc Hillmerson D. Trinidad
Dance Sports (Standard Category)
Coach: Christina Grace H. Ledesma
1) Clea Mycah V. Maat
2) Ian-Jay Dela Cruz Abuan
Futsal (Men’s Category)
Coach: Nazzer Kuhutan
1) Reo Llacer
2) Albert Ramos
3) Rodeleon Molina
4) Kent Anton Dela Peña
Futsal (Women’s Category)
Coach: Clint Aian A. Pontillas
1) Mary Grace V. Paculanang
2) Laica P. Baladjay
3) Joy G. Arcillas
4) Angela Abiog
Lawn Tennis (Men’s Category)
Coach: Engr. Darvin Lardizabal
1) Eric Joseph T. Ferrer
2) Allan Jeric R. Ordinario
Lawn Tennis (Women’s Category)
Coach: Hanlie Taha
1) Khyshana Athena R. Hitosis
2) Trizia Beatriz V. Talan
Sepak Takraw (Men’s Category)
Coach: Noel Corpuz
1) Jarameel Sabico
2) Geraldo Cocjin
3) Jainal Saidil
Table Tennis (Men’s Category)
Coach: Ralph Pulanco
1) Reniel Baluardo
2) Mar Kevin Nadar
Table Tennis (Women’s Category)
Coach: Mary Ann Lagrada
1) Sitti Riza Calbit
2) Jessa Sanjorjo