Animo Rally 2015: GET IT DONE THIS SEASON!

Solid — that was how the rookies described their first taste of being part of the UAAP. One solid unit. One solid start. There couldn’t have been a better word to sum up this year’s celebration of the annual pep rally that gathers all DLSU athletes in preparation for the upcoming UAAP Season.

After losing out on last season’s UAAP General Championship, the teams that represent the Green-and-White began their mission to reclaim the title of overall champions with the 2015 Animo Rally entitled, “GET IT DONE THIS SEASON.” Former Lady Spiker Abigail Maraño was joined by fellow Lasallian Deon Flores to host the rally held at the ninth floor of the Enrique Razon Sports Complex for the second time.

“I noticed that our athletes are more dedicated to give us the championship and ready to avenge our loss and they really want to ‘get it done’ this year,” expressed USG President Pram Menghrajani, who headed this year’s Animo Rally.

Ian Lariba, UAAP Season 77 Athlete of the Year, led the opening prayer to solemnly begin the festivities.

After that, the athletes’ parade ensued while the Animo Squad hyped up the crowd with the beating of their drums. They put on a spectacular drum-line exhibition after the introduction of the various DLSU teams, to the excitement of the large crowd that came to witness the event.

New University President Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC officially opened the event with an invocation and said some inspiring words that revolved around the student-athlete life. In recognition of the student-athletes who not only performed well in their sport but also excelled in their academics, Suplido also called upon those who managed to end up on the Dean’s List for at least two terms in the previous academic year.

Unlike last year’s event, the performances of the rookies were limited to just two, with the rookies of the first semester sports performing first. Before the start of the second semester sports’ performance, this year’s guest speaker, with the help of a familiar face, gave out his motivational message.

Retired PBA player and former Green Archer Ty Tang unfortunately could not make it to this year’s rally due to the sickness he acquired the day before. Nevertheless, he made sure that his inspirational words would be addressed to the athletes with the help of Green Archer Thomas Torres.

“May hangganan ang pagiging atleta,” said Tang in his delivered speech, as he mentioned that finishing one’s college degree is still the most important goal a student-athlete must accomplish.

Lady Archer Alyanna Ong and Lariba led the athletes in reciting the Oath of Sportsmanship, while Green Archers head coach Juno Sauler, along with OSD Executive Director and UAAP Board Representative Emmanuel Calanog, gave their closing remarks inviting everyone to support all the DLSU teams participating in UAAP Season 78.