Green Batter – Jay Laurel
What truly makes a leader? It is a common misconception in our society today that a leader is one who racks up accolades and is the flashiest player on the team. Jay Laurel reminds us of the real qualities of a top notch leader.
Batters’ Coach Joseph Orillana explained, “He’s a good leader and he can manage the team inside and outside the field. Magandang pinapakita niya sa team at parang guide siya sa mga teammates niya.”
Laurel is an accurate batter and he holds the first base, one of the most crucial spots in the baseball diamond. He is very vocal on the field and never fails to encourage his teammates during games—a testament to his brass as a leader.
After games, he continues to give words of encouragement to his teammates and even carries out the equipment from the locker room, a task that some captains would assign to the rookies.
His teammates and his coach believe that he has great work ethic. Laurel explained, “Hard work and perseverance always pays off. You gotta stay humble and you can’t get yabang. Just praise the Lord always.”
After finishing at third place last season with a 7-3 record, which avenged the team’s last place finish in 2011, the Green Batters, led by Laurel, will look to make another leap towards the gold medal. In the midst of a ten year championship drought, Laurel hopes to change everything this season.
The graduating Laurel added, “I want to be remembered as a good leader; someone who won a championship and wants to make his teammates better.”
Laurel also plans to mentor and help the Green Batters even after graduation. Ever the selfless leader, Laurel’s favorite memory during his career as a Green Batter isn’t an individual achievement or highlight. It is the countless hours that he spent with his teammates. He recalled, “Being on the field with all of my teammates, being able to practice and go to games with them were probably my best memories. Just simply being around my teammates and coaches.”
Green Spiker – Philip Cerveza
With big dreams of one day soaring the skies as an airplane captain, Philip Cerveza bides his time firing powerful spikes in the air and above the net as captain of the DLSU Green Spikers.
Last season, the Green Spikers finished in the top four after wrapping up the elimination round with nine wins and five losses. The team eventually fell to top seed and eventual champion FEU in the semifinal match.
Now in his last year of eligibility, the Manufacturing Engineering Major hopes to bring back the UAAP Men’s Volleyball Championship to Taft Avenue. The Green Spikers last won the championship ten years ago in 2003. Captain Cerveza hopes to end the drought in grand fashion.
Cerveza’s status as captain of the Green Spikers makes the fact that started playing competitive volleyball in second year high school even more surprising. His relative quick rise to prominence is a story of determination and perseverance. The Makati Hope Christian School alumnus believes, “Life will always find ways to beat you down and it is up to you to stand up and do something about it.”
When asked about his favorite memory as a Green Spiker, Cerveza mentioned that he would never forget the 2011 National Intercollegiate Volleyball Championship where his team finished first place. The following year, the Green Spikers failed to defend the title after falling to NU in the championship game. Despite the runner-up finish, Cerveza received the Best Server award.
Despite being a top notch athlete, Cerveza does not compromise his studies. He explained, “I would like to be remembered as a good example of a student-athlete who excels not only on the court, but also in the classroom.”
During his years in DLSU, Cerveza has embodied a true Lasallian with his hard work and his dedication to sports and academics.
