Heart and Hustle: Student-athletes beyond the court
By Nicola De Guzman, Temarie Gabriel
“Mine! Mine!”
“Focus! Mata sa bola!!”
“Defense! Defense!”
“Sayang! Ayan na”
People scream as the players stay locked in the game, shoes screech against the floor, cheers are confused for noise, players’ eyes are slowly out of focus while they catch their breath, and silent cries of pain from soreness. The game ends, but pressure builds up from all directions—the bleachers, the court, and even from within—slowing time. Perhaps even stopping their world.
The final shot was in the hands of fate and chance. “Point!” The audience yelled for joy, and triumph was achieved.
But these are not just ordinary players. They are students who chose to be athletes. They are young enough to be scared and confused, yet old enough to decide for themselves. Their struggles are doubled compared to your typical student, so why do they walk this path? Is it truly a want or a need? Did they choose it, or were they chosen?
Though many say, “enjoy your youth while you can,” a student’s life is far from easy as others need to navigate through life’s challenges. Being a student-athlete is no different, if not more challenging, than being just a student.
They wake up earlier than the usual time for classes. They go home later from training. Their bodies often sore game after game, but they still need to get up from bed and show up in class. Playing won’t help them pass the subjects. They need to maintain good grades to be part of the varsity team.
Just like in sports, life, too, has many blockers. You may have your dreams and goals perfectly planned out, but there will be people and circumstances that will block them. Yet, like in the games, you keep playing because you have a chance to win as long as the time is not over and no victor has been declared.
For everyone, not just athletes, life has always been a game, with challenges holding you back. It is a matter of who will win and who stands beside you through all those games.
One Team, One Dream
Having a team is the greatest blessing one could experience. It is more than just a group of players; it is a family built on shared goals with unwavering support. Through the highs and lows, they stand together. Side by side, they fight battles on the court. Much like soldiers in a war, they refuse to leave one another.
Yet, some battles must be fought alone—internal wars that only you can see. There is the weight of expectations, the fear of making a mistake, and the pressure of representing their team and school behind every player.
This burden doesn’t end in the court, as they face criticism for every move they make. Though it is inevitable for players to avoid such words, it is still a shot to the heart, for they, too, are just students—young and fragile.
Joseph Yasahura, a middle blocker for JCA’s Men’s Volleyball Team, has been playing for two years. With one year spent on the varsity team, Yasahura shared that throughout his journey, there were times he thought of giving up as the obstacles seemed endless. Yet, he chose to stay. He fought as he put it, “I’ve come a long way—why stop?”
Similarly, the JCA Basketball Team has faced its own set of trials. Center Jared Macalanda emphasized that the toughest challenge isn’t just the game but the daily grind of practice. “I’ve almost given up many times,” he admits. “But I always think of my dad, who supports me, and God, who gives me the courage to continue.”
Every match embodies months of sacrifice and discipline. Yet, at the heart of it all is the dream—to bring pride to the school and to prove they are stronger than their fears. They play not just for themselves but for something bigger—a legacy and future they chase, one game at a time.
Over the Net
Over the season of hard work and dedication, after every game, there is a trial that tests the team. As everyone is aware, playing does not mean you will always win. However, trying not to lose is a hurdle all teams will experience. The tension of keeping your team united, even after each of them already holds so much stress, is often the biggest challenge.
Sophia Quijalvo, a grade 12 student varsity and the outside hitter of the JCA Women’s Volleyball Team, recalled a time when her team and coach were struggling due to the lack of players. Despite this, she shared, “Coach RJ never got tired of reminding us that God has a plan for our team.” She added “Kahit ilang beses kaming natalo, alam naman ng team and ni coach na binigay namin all of our efforts,” showing that despite the losses, their effort made them more than champions.
In sports, where being a winner is the determiner of success, the JCA volleyball and basketball teams stand out. Their victories are not only measured by how many times they have won, but by the trials each team has faced and their choice to stay united. Even after experiencing both the highs and lows, they did not let their bond break.
Beyond the intensity of the games, the team has endured grueling practices and internal battles that push them to their limits. Every moment of exhaustion is a reminder that success is earned long before stepping onto the court. Yet, their biggest opponent is sometimes themselves. As Marion Sayco put it, “Our ego was the hardest challenge to overcome.” The game isn’t just about physical endurance—it’s about learning humility, teamwork, and trust. Despite the struggles, one truth remains—teams are built not just on skill but on the strength of their bond.
The Winner Takes it All
Being in a team does not only mean reaching the highest points; it is also about the commitment and discipline each teammate has towards one another. It’s a commitment that, whether in their highs or lows, they will always stand by each other.
Even if some battles are meant to be fought alone, knowing that your teammates are with you every step of the way is more than enough. Realizing that, through every uphill battle, there was never a time you were truly alone—that is what it means to be a champion.
Now, the path they have chosen might be different, but that does not give us the right to question their decision. Whatever their reason may be, it is enough to keep them going. They are athletes who are also students—with dreams and ambitions. The best gift we can give them is our support and understanding as we watch them grow into the people they are meant to be.
A need or a want, chosen or not, they work day and night to improve—to one day have a name written in the sky. So, let’s continue to acknowledge them for every effort they make. Balancing school and sports is not easy, yet they manage to do so. They may not always be the best, but they are surely special—unstoppable in their own way.
