Champion Team gone Kaput.

When the Mapua Men’s Volleyball Team won their last championship in 2002, with no clue, the team was disbanded. It’s such a waste that a team that had just won a championship wouldn’t be able to participate and to defend their title the following academic year. The lone reason that I could think of is that the administration lacks the financial capacity to support athletic scholarships for the student-athletes.

Having a Volleyball Team would require at least six (6) players that can play, but no school would participate with just those amount of players, the very reasonable number of players would be around nine (9) to twelve (12). As such, providing athletic scholarships to that many students would require a handful amount of money.

Since then, the Mapua never joined the the National Collegiate Athletic Association Volleyball Tournament that is played every first semester of the academic year. You won’t find any athlete wearing the Cardinals  logo in the tournament’s three divisions:  Juniors for high school students, Seniors for male college students and Women’s for female college students from school year 2002 to 2008.

Mapua Volleyball Team in the 85th NCAA Tournament.

You read it right, after seven (7) years of absence, Mapua is going to bring in it’s student athlete’s back on the  volleyball court this coming 85th season.

But this time, it’s the girls that will shine.

Mapua is a school better known for being a male dominant school, maybe, just maybe, to boost the number of students in the distaff side, the school chose to include a team not on the men’s but on the women’s division.

I don’t know if it’s the official lineup but looking at the present players  practicing at the gymnasium,  albeit with the inclusion of a former beach volleyball player, I honestly think that they’re a little too shabby, hey, that’s just for me.  Nonetheless, I know they’re the best that the school has to offer and they’re a hard worker so they’ll be fine. They’ve got a big heart and they love the game.

For fellow Mapuans reading this article, let’s take a little look from the past, the Mapua Volleyball Team had won one (1) juniors Volleyball Championship (1978-79) and ten (10) Men’s NCAA Volleyball Championships (1960-61,1965-66,1966-67,1967-68,1968-69,1969-70,1970-71,1974-75,1997-98 and 2001-02). With 11 Championships under the Cardinals’ wings, it looks pale compared with San Sebastian’s 43 but we are still third in the league after Letran’s 24 Championships.

What can you say?

Do you think it’s a good idea that they bring back a sports team instead of planning and implementing a better athletic program for the current sporting events that Mapua currently participates?  And do you think putting up a women’s team instead of a men’s team a better idea (Just so to clear things, I’m not against having the women’s team. Quite the contrary, I’ve been longing for it.)? Share your thoughts below.

Photo by Nolan Empalmado/Fabilioh.com

Name: Karla Bello
Birthday: April 24, 1986
Weight: 115 lbs
Height: 5’3″

College Team: Ateneo De Manila University
Sports: VOLLEYBALL!
Jersey no: 5

How did you start playing your sport?
I started playing when I was in grade 4. But I joined the team when I was in grade 7 -Miriam GS. From then on, varsity na ako.

When I was young, we had this sports fest in our village… but they wouldn’t let me play because I was too young. So I wanted to learn how to play, joined the team and then learned to love the sport!

Reasons for competing in that sport?
Well, it would be because of my teammates. They’re my friends and family narin. So I compete for them para sa mga paghihirap na pinagdaanan namin. (yuck cheesy! Haha. But it’s true! )

Were you a varsity player during your elementary and high school days?
Yep, from grade 7 and buong High School.

How much do you usually spend playing sports?
Noon? Every freakin’ day. Hahaha. Ngayon, once in a blue moon.

Where do you usually play?
Blue Eagle Gym!

What do you do when you’re not playing sports?
Study. Yuck. Haha. And on my free time? I go out with the men’s team, wherever they are –mostly dota. Hahahahahahaha!

What are your greatest achievements/awards/moment as an athlete?
Best server for one Shakey’s V-League conference. Syempre when we placed third and second sa V-League.

What’s your course? Are you enjoying it?
Masters in Business Administration. Hell yeah!

When you were a kid, what do you want to be? Are you fulfilling it? Or do you have plans of fulfilling it in the future?
Flight attendant, so I can travel the world. Hehe. But right now… I’m looking for other jobs that does traveling too. Hehe.

Is it hard balancing academics and athletics at the same time? How’s your studies?
Not really, I survived didn’t I? Hehe. MBA’s looking good, about to finish in 6 months… sana!!!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Working, and hopefully, traveling

Who are the players you look up to or any idols?
Yumilka Ruiz from Cuba and Maurizia Cacciatori from Italy.

Thanks for granting me the opportunity to feature you here, Karla. Continue playing great volleyball, more power and God bless! Oh, as I always say, stay fit! – Galwin

image of Angeline Marie Gervacio

Name: Angeline Marie. A. Gervacio

Birthday: Dec. 30, 1991

Weight: SECRET!! haha :)

Height: 5’6

College Team: Ateneo de Manila University

Sports: Volleyball (W)

Position: Open Spiker

Jersey no: 6

Were you a varsity player during your elementary and high school days?

I was an athlete since grade five (5).

What are your greatest achievements/awards as an athlete?

Being part of the NCR delegation in the Palarong Pambansa ’07 & ’08

What’s your course?

AB PolSci

Are you enjoying it?

we’re still taking up basic subjects this 1st semester

When you were a kid, what do you want to be?

I wanted to be a lawyer!

Are you fulfilling it?

step by step :)

Is it hard balancing academics and athletics at the same time? How’s your studies?

It’s not too difficult as of the moment. I still get to enjoy my breks:)

Any lucky charm? Where’d you get it?

My clips? I got it from Divisoria. :P

Who are the players you look up to or any idols?

Charo Soriano & Nerissa Bautista

Spikeithard.com is a blog that talks mostly about volleyball. Sometimes it also discuss other sports related topics.