Last Saturday, even after the Ateneo High School Booters won the first-ever UAAP Juniors title, I didn't feel like celebrating.
Standing behind the FEU-FERN team in their post-game huddle, they were informed that the team will be evaluated and those who failed the evaluation will not be included in the team's line-up for the next season. "Salamat sa one or two years na binigay niyo sa FEU," said one team official.
They had lost 2-0 despite playing Ateneo well and featuring a bevy of freshmen and sophomores while they battled a taller Ateneo team that featured a bunch of seniors and juniors.
Everyone and myself included raved about this team all season long. They beat DLSZ twice -- 2-1 and 9-2 and pushed Ateneo to the brink. This team is for real.
The players were so down -- talo na then they have to mull over being cut. Whether that means being sent home or continuing their studies while not being on the team I'm not sure. But definitely, I thought that it was rather insensitive to say such things immediately after the game. One player bowed his head so low and was on the verge of breaking down. In their team dinner at Jollibee across Ateneo, many of them seemed so out of it; the meal so unappetizing because of the remarks made to them.
Many of these kids are from Iloilo, Cotobato, and far away. They're plucked away from their families and brought to a different place.
Who is there to pick these kids up? It's traumatic for them that this early they are exposed to a win at all costs mentality that has begun to find root in college sports.
I felt so bad for them. I almost wished we didn't win. Hindi lang natalo parang nalugi. And I thought of it until late at night. You should have seen how down they were. I pointed it out to photographer Brossi Gonzales and the Ateneo coaches present. And nagparinig ako that if they play that game too then I'll be on the opposite side.
But even in Ateneo, it has begun. Players are recruited then removed later on with their scholarships cut. Eh sana hindi na lang natin na recruit mga 'to.
Our high school football players talk about this kid who often gets chided and screamed at by his dad on the field and during games. Wala na lang siyang ginawang tama. And he's been shamed in front of everyone. And one player quit the team because he couldn't stand the verbal abuse heaped on him by a coach.
I'd rather not win and have our dignity and pride intact rather play the game that others do so well. Is this what we were taught?
This is high school or college sports. Not pro ball.
Someone should protect these kids. And Fr. Ben was so right -- education is off the radar in this country. Many schools offer bogus courses that hardly prepare their student-athletes. C'mon... is there such a huge demand for PE teachers? I've seen this in many schools and it's a damn shame. Damn this win at all costs mentality. Damn those who propagate it.
And by God, this pisses me off.
Standing behind the FEU-FERN team in their post-game huddle, they were informed that the team will be evaluated and those who failed the evaluation will not be included in the team's line-up for the next season. "Salamat sa one or two years na binigay niyo sa FEU," said one team official.
They had lost 2-0 despite playing Ateneo well and featuring a bevy of freshmen and sophomores while they battled a taller Ateneo team that featured a bunch of seniors and juniors.
Everyone and myself included raved about this team all season long. They beat DLSZ twice -- 2-1 and 9-2 and pushed Ateneo to the brink. This team is for real.
The players were so down -- talo na then they have to mull over being cut. Whether that means being sent home or continuing their studies while not being on the team I'm not sure. But definitely, I thought that it was rather insensitive to say such things immediately after the game. One player bowed his head so low and was on the verge of breaking down. In their team dinner at Jollibee across Ateneo, many of them seemed so out of it; the meal so unappetizing because of the remarks made to them.
Many of these kids are from Iloilo, Cotobato, and far away. They're plucked away from their families and brought to a different place.
Who is there to pick these kids up? It's traumatic for them that this early they are exposed to a win at all costs mentality that has begun to find root in college sports.
I felt so bad for them. I almost wished we didn't win. Hindi lang natalo parang nalugi. And I thought of it until late at night. You should have seen how down they were. I pointed it out to photographer Brossi Gonzales and the Ateneo coaches present. And nagparinig ako that if they play that game too then I'll be on the opposite side.
But even in Ateneo, it has begun. Players are recruited then removed later on with their scholarships cut. Eh sana hindi na lang natin na recruit mga 'to.
Our high school football players talk about this kid who often gets chided and screamed at by his dad on the field and during games. Wala na lang siyang ginawang tama. And he's been shamed in front of everyone. And one player quit the team because he couldn't stand the verbal abuse heaped on him by a coach.
I'd rather not win and have our dignity and pride intact rather play the game that others do so well. Is this what we were taught?
This is high school or college sports. Not pro ball.
Someone should protect these kids. And Fr. Ben was so right -- education is off the radar in this country. Many schools offer bogus courses that hardly prepare their student-athletes. C'mon... is there such a huge demand for PE teachers? I've seen this in many schools and it's a damn shame. Damn this win at all costs mentality. Damn those who propagate it.
And by God, this pisses me off.
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