IN THE MIDST OF LONG RALLY

Ranz Irizh Enriquez and Katrina Advento

“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.” – Derek Jeter

That is the favorite quote of Allana Corinne S. Matienzo, 19 years old, a B.S. Civil Engineering student and a volleyball player of LSPU-SCC. She believes that as an athlete, you should not only work hard to develop your skills where you excel, but also work hard to develop your weaknesses and convert it into strengths. Matienzo has competed in many prestigious sports tournaments representing her school before and now she has given a great opportunity to represent our university for the National Competition.

A THROWBACK HIT

At a very young age, Matienzo already fell in love into many kinds of sports. She always competes in school tournaments and always the “pambato” of the team.

“Elementary pa lang, sobrang into sports na talaga ako. Then every intrams namin lagi akong panlaban sa badminton ng team hanggang naging panlaban na ako sa District at Unit Meets.” she shared.

Her love into sports grew deeper when she turns into a high school student. That time, she plays badminton, basketball and lawn tennis.

“…Then 2nd year high school, kinuha ako ng P.E. teacher namin na itry ko daw mag-lawn tennis. Syempre ako naman go ako kase imagine napakadaming pwedeng turuan at piliin ni sir pero napili ako so don pa lang panalo na ako diba so grab the opportunity na.”

RECEIVING A NEW OPPORTUNITY

As she continues her athlete journey, a new sport bumps into her - volleyball. She became interested in it when a volleyball player from UST (who became her bestfriend) transferred to the school where she studies. One summer vacation, she tried to learn how to play the sport.

Because of her fondness into volleyball, Matienzo went into many places in Laguna and Manila just to watch leagues of her friends, commercial leagues and competitive levels. That makes her more excited to become a volleyball player.

“Kaya ayon nagsipag ako, wala akong absent sa trainings namin. Nakakapressure kasi honor student din ako eh kailangang pagsabayin. Then ayun 3rd year isa ako sa First 6 and naging first setter na agad. Bihirang mangyari pero sobrang laki ng tiwala ng coach namin noon sa’kin kahit baguhan pa lang ako. ”

BLOCKING HER WEAKNESSES

Her first year of being a volleyball player was not an easy one. She remembers, there are times that she receives a lot of trashtalks from other players, questioning her as a newbie. These cause her to doubt herself and feel afraid every time she will compete in provincial meets.

But Corinne doesn’t want to stay like that forever. A lot of discouragements may drag her down, but she knows how to leap high and block all of these weaknesses.

“Tinapangan ko. Ginawa kong inspirasyon ang mga yon at doon nagsimulang magexcel ako. Hanggang makagraduate ako ng Senior High namaintain kong maging honor student at doon pa maraming humanga sa’kin at naging mas proud mga magulang ko sa’kin.”

IT’S A LONG RALLY

Since then, her productive years as a volleyball athlete already starts. She competed in a lot of prestigious tournaments including MILO Best Olympics (Ateneo and Xavier Schoo) and League of Southern Manila Schools (LSMS) which was held in Brent International School. She had also set an appearance in LAPRISADA and NAPSPHIL held in Taytay, Rizal.

In her career as a college athlete, she immediately made a noise for the College of Engineering (COE) in 2018 and 2019 Sports Intramurals. She also qualified in the 2018 Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (STRASUC) Olympics.

Recently, she made an appearance in her one of the most memorable tournaments, the STRASUC 2019. Their team had only 2 weeks of preparation for the game and yet they have still marked 2nd place in overall championship and bagged silver medals. Because of her hardwork and determination, she was given an opportunity to compete for the National Competition to represent our university.

“Sobrang saya kase ‘di biro yon. Imagine, university yung irerepresent mo hindi lang pangalan mo dala mo kundi pati the school. Hindi mawawala yung pressure kasi diba kaya ka nahugot kase nagstep-up ka sa lahat.”

SETTING HER JOURNEY

Beyond her achievements and great success, Matienzo continues to do her bests and work hard to achieve her dream ---- to be a famous volleyball athlete in the Philippines.

“Pinangarap ko talaga sa universities in Manila, yung kasali sa UAAP. Nagtryout kami sa UST and UE, saying nga eh okay naman daw skills ko pero kulang sa height para sa position kong setter so I ended up here in LSPU,” she explained.

“and to think di ko talaga planong maglaro, as in sumuko na nga ako sabi ko msag-aaral na lang ako but God is good. Hindi man ako binigyan ng pagkakataon sa Manila, dito nya ako binigyan ng pagkakataon para ipakita yung kakayahan ko...”

For Matienzo, her life is just like a rally in a volleyball game, as long as the ball haven’t touch the floor yet, you have to keep going and keep on fighting to reach the victory.

STRASUC Olympics 2019

Narvasa clinch two golds in Mens Athletics

Erika Ramos

Justin Narvasa, snares two golds and one bronze medal in Mens Athletics to victors STRASUC Championship in Mens Athletics, Romblon State University (RSU), November 2019.

Equipped with handy mind and vigorous physique, Narvasa exhibited total zeal bagging four golds in 4x100 Relay with his three teammates.

Narvasa also won third place in 100 M Relay gaining bronze medal.

On the last day of competition, Narvasa demonstrated skillful run and grabs gold medal in 200 M Relay, followed by RSU and Cavite State University with silver and bronze medal respectively.

“Training lang ng training ng mabuti saka laging makinig sa mga sinasabi ng mga coaches. Work hard saka ‘wag mag-skip ng training,”. Narvasa said.

It is his first time joining STRASUC competition wherein he devoted himself to lots of familiarities in game and engaged with aggressive exercise.

“Mahirap pero nagbunga naman ang lahat ng pinaghirapan”, Narvasa added, with the aid and coordination displayed by the other LSPU athletes

LSPU announced as the Overall Champion in STRASUC 2019 Olympics.

THEGEARS SPORTS

WRITE WITHOUT FAVOR. EXPRESS WITHOUT FEAR

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF LAGUNA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY SANTA CRUZ CAMPUS

VOLUME 59 / ISSUE NO. 5 / NOV-DEC 2019 email: thegears@gmail.com @thegears

LSPU prevails in STRASUC 2019, conquers back-to-back title

POWER HOUSE. Opening parade of the STRASUC 2019, “Strengthening Fellowship and Alliance through Sports.”

Paul Andrei Lotereña

Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) outshines 11 delegations as they were hailed as overall champion in the recently concluded 2019 Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (STRASUC) Olympics held at Romblon State University, November 22-27.

Defending champions LSPU accumulated 88 golds, 69 silvers and 49 bronze medals after finishing atop in events like archery, swimming and athletics women’s category.

Dr. Mario R. Briones, University President witnessed the triumph of LSPU in the tournament along with the campus directors in the six-day sports tournament.

Garnering 71golds, 73 silvers and 61 bronze medals, the Palawan State Polytechnic University (PSU) claimed their 1st runner-up podium finish at the end of the competition while Cavite State University (CavSU) finished in 2nd runner-up with a total of 56 golds, 42 silvers

Romblon News Network

and 54 bronze medals.

Occidental Mindoro State University College (OMSC) snowballed in the 3rd runner up and Romblon State University (RSU), the host campus bagged 4th runner-up after collecting 26 golds, 27 silvers, 34 bronzes and 26 golds, 27 silvers and 24 bronzes respectively.

LSPU battle STRASUC’s champ; digs silver medal in Women’s Volley

Katrina Advento

After the intense rallies against Cavite State University (CavSu) opponents, LSPU-SCC marks its 2nd spot in STRASUC’s Women’s Volleyball Championship, Nov. 2019

Amidst of the hard struggle of LSPU young spikers who showcased gallant blocks, killer hits and strong willingness to get the victory, they still fell succumbing defeat to their CavSu rivals.

CavSu players heated up the game with their successive blocks and kills, winning the first 2 sets consecutively and making their opponents trouble.

However, a fusion of great determination and endurance prove that LSPU can still show a good battle winning the 2nd set.

The game resulted into scores of 25-16, 21-25, 25-22 and 25-19, hailing CavSu as the defending champions.

“Para sakin kase, wala namang madaling kalaban kase pare-pareho lang kaming nageensayo at kumakain so pareho lang kaming naghihirap para mag-improve, pero syempre magagaling sila, mabibilis at mas buo ang chemistry nila kase one whole year silang nagprepare unlike us na two weeks lang,” shares Allana Corinne Matienzo from Civil Engineering -1F. However, Matienzo has successfully secures a space for the National competition.

Lakers paddlers captures gold in STRASUC; Qualifies for National Competition

Addie Yvonne A. Albong

Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) Table Tennis Men’s Double stalwarts battered the table tennis all through the finals securing spot for Nationals after reaping golds in STRASUC Olympics held at Romblon, November 21-27.

Ronald Montaña Jr., 20-year-old Electronics and Communication (ECE) Engineering student, along with Jony Palco, 18-year-old Information Technology (IT) student, of LSPU turned the table against Palawan State University’s (PSU) paddlers, 11-4 game point score.

In 2 years of batting and hitting together, it is their first time to snag a gold medal. The fortitude they have pushes them to work hard despite of the struggles and difficult training they’ve encountered.

“Nagising po kaming maaga, siguro mga 5am para magjogging at physical (exercise) nakain po kami (ng) mga healthy foods, tinitiis po naming ‘wag kumain ng mga bawal (na pagkain) …” Montaña explained on how difficult their training is.

The LSPU paddlers brought pride and honor to the beloved university. Being a bronze medalist last year serves as their motivation in striving harder to snatched the title this time.