The Athlete – Lady Eagle Gretchen Ho

Gretchen Ho roars after scoring against their arch rivals DLSU Lady Spikers. 

I was just inspired to make an entry because I just found out that my idol Gretchen Ho of Ateneo Lady Eagles in the new team captain of the Ateneo Women’s Volleyball Team in this on-going 2012 Shakey’s V-League Season 9 – Conference 1, a pre-season tournament.

I was actually surprised that she’s the new team captain ‘cause I thought it was Dzi Gervacio. (I was hoping though that it was Gretchen, even if in the V-League alone. And it did.) So to my surprised, and as a frustrated die-hard fan of Gretchen, I did an entry regarding V-League and her leadership; and she deserves.

Note: This is not what I wants how Ateneo’s V-League journey ends. This is merely my own way to make fans – like me, most specially the athletes’ realized what’s more important than having a trophy is.

Gretchen Ho (right) and Fille Cainglet are cornerstones of the Lady Eagles' campaign.

She was so tires yet so happy. She reminisces as she lies down on the bed; the cheers, the yells, and the audience’s applause. All her work paid off.

For the past couples of months, she and her team mates had been training for this conference. They were selected to represent their school at the V-League. “Volleyball is something I can’t completely remove from my life.” she always says. She wakes up early in the morning and exercise. She runs two to three kilometers before going to school. They practice five to eight o’ clock I the evening or sometimes, they even stay much later.

She looks her medals again and remembers again. Two sets-a-piece and the opponent’s team has the ball. They were down by one point, fourteen to thirteen, and all she could think of was winning. Her heart was pounding so loud and her hands growing cold. She smiles as they are now on offense. But then, her team mate stopped and scared to move because two blockers were already in front of her, ready for battle. Without a second to lose, her team mate spikes from the left antenna but she was blocked. They were able to control the ball with a dig. This time, it was her turn to try her luck. Then their setter jumps again and threw the ball up into the air. Everyone is in silence as she makes an approach to the ball with hope. They all stopped from breathing and just stared at the ball… after a couple of seconds, the ball landed out of the playing court.

The sound of the bouncing ball was still in her head. They had lost the game. She could not help but to cry her heart out. They worked so hard. She had done her best. She turned around and saw her team mates in front of her; everybody had teary eyes but was smiling. Their coach in the same situation said, “Good job!” Then every single students, fans and supporters in that arena cheered for them. Shouting; “Go Ateneo! One Big Fight!” She turned to her team mates again and smiled. “We got the second placed!” she told them.

The athlete, after a long journey realizes what’s more important than having a trophy was sportsmanship, teamwork. For her, they won that game and now she turns in for the night to face another battle ahead.

Good night, Lady Eagle!

Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.

Bragging the title as champions and winning the tournament maybe great. But knowing the little things like the true meaning of sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership and most of all, the feeling of being thankful for what you have achieved is fulfilling.
(Joke lang 'to. Pwede ring seryosohin. )