Green Journal: Alyanna Ong

In a few hours, Lasallians will be heading over to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) to receive their diplomas and begin their life outside the four walls of a classroom. Lady Archer Alyanna Ong is among those who will march after years of toiling in the classroom and on the court. Reflecting on the past four years, she already misses what was her daily grind, yet she is thankful for the experience and the support of her family and friends in what was, for her, a fulfilling and amazing journey in DLSU.

It’s 5 am and I’m already wide awake. Usually I would be on my way out the door this time, ready to go to Taft for our 6 am training…

It’s been two months since my last UAAP game but I guess it hasn’t sunk in yet: Ball is not life anymore. I miss training, I miss preparing for games, I miss viewing videos of our upcoming opponents, I miss putting in mind scouting reports, I miss sending GMs, I miss giving headaches to our coaches, I miss bullying my teammates, but most of all, I miss my team!!!

But what is it that makes me want to attend practice, training for three hours a day from 6 to 9 am, six times a week? How was it that I was incessantly complaining of how tired I was, how heavy my body felt, how I had no more time and energy for anything else after training, and yet I’m like the nucleus of an atom, full of energy and ready to go to school and train the next day? The answer is the Razon Sports Complex, which has been my second home for five years now. A home is where a family lives together, and this is where I found my second family. My team is my OHANA. Playing alongside perennial Mythical 5 member Ara Abaca, standing beside Fritz Oyao, trying to outhustle Snow Penaranda, playing big sister to Camille Claro, Chay Vergara, and the other rookies, and ending the day with so much laughter in the shower room; these are the things that make me want to miss graduation day.

Losing our last game last season was one of the most heart-wrenching experiences ever. It was just surreal. When that final buzzer sounded, and all of us were hugging one another, consoling and not blaming, crying together in the dugout, saying our goodbyes, and at that moment, I couldn’t ask for anything more. We exceeded expectations, considering the trauma that the team had to go through after Season 77, how young and inexperienced our team was entering the UAAP, having a new coach and a new system. I would not trade any team for this one.  It was a team worth fighting for. The pain we felt was somehow eased by the love and support we received from the DLSU alumni and our supporters. They are there, win or lose, and that’s what matters most. The dinners that followed, the out of town trips to culminate Season 78, all helped us bond even more and made it harder for me to leave the team. I am not so sure if I am having post-season depression or separation anxiety.

Looking back, it’s amazing how God has blessed me through all these years. I’m not athletic. People say I have a one-peso athletic ability (though I beg to differ!!!). I was never the quickest, strongest, or the most explosive player in any team I was part of. It was hard. People telling me I wasn’t fast enough, or strong enough, that I couldn’t keep up with the physicality in college. But I had to work around this setback. I always had to work my way to the top, and that’s what I did. Nothing worth having comes easy. From being my high school alma mater’s most prized player to a benchwarmer in my first RP stint; from playing two minutes a game, then being the sixth man, to the starting five, being recruited by the top universities of the Philippines, choosing to don the Green-and-White jersey, (the best decision I’ve made in my young life), being part of the team that brought home the crown to Taft after 10 years in 2013, and ending my career as the captain of the Lady Archers. I am very grateful to coach Cholo Villanueva for putting his faith and trust in me. It was an honor and privilege to lead the Lady Archers.

Still, I have no choice but to accept that this chapter of my life has come to a close, and another one is beginning. Being a student-athlete also means that I am a student first, before being an athlete. I spent my remaining days last year completing all my academic requirements, and just as my UAAP career has come to an end, so will my student life. In a few hours, I will be marching in the 175^th Commencement Ceremonies, graduating with a double degree in Applied Economics and Management of Financial Institutions with honors. I sure did my parents proud. And I hope I will be able to inspire other players as well, that yes, you could excel in both athletics and academics, at the same time. There is more to life than ball, after all.

What a journey it has been and I have no regrets. It was worth all the hardships and sacrifices. Not everyone knows how my parents were there every step of the way. Ever since my Southville days, to my RP Youth team stints, to the UAAP. They were there to guide and support me. They brought me to training and watched my games no matter how far the venues were, especially for someone living in the south. Ultra, Araneta, Rizal, Antipolo, Greenhills, Katipunan, you name it, we travelled it. No words can explain how thankful I am for having them as my parents

To the Lasallian community, the OSD, Animo Squad, PTs, friends, parents, and all those who supported the Lady Archers throughout our journey, thank you for showing undying love and support by being there for us win or lose. It’s been a good run.

It has been a great pleasure to play the game I love for the school I love. Thank you DLSU.