With UAAP Season 79 at its halfway point, The LaSallian interviewed athletes, both those who have entered the offseason and those who will kick off their respective campaigns in the second semester of competition. Lady Tanker Maggie Mendoza, Green Judoka Adrian Perillo, Green Batter Paul Naguit, and DLSU Football’s Mauro Acot talk about their favorite professional teams and athletes.
Maggie Mendoza (Lady Tanker)
My favorite athlete would be Michael Phelps because he’s really passionate about swimming. I can compare myself to him because before, he gave up on swimming since he said he lost his jack, but then he came back. For me, no matter how much I get tired of swimming I always find myself back to it.
Adrian Perillo (Green Judoka)
Connor McGregor would have to be my favorite athlete. He has the guts and does the talk. Every time he says ‘this’ will happen, he will make it happen. I also admire his self-confidence, kasi ang lakas ng tiwala niya sa sarili niya.
Paul Naguit (Green Batter, Catcher)
My favorite pro-team would be the Chicago Cubs because their shortstop is a Filipino-American, Addison Russell. He inspires us baseball players here in the country to be able to play the sport we like and follow what he can do.
Mauro Acot (Men’s Football Team, Midfielder)
Manchester United is my favorite pro-team, it’s my dream to get there. When I was a kid I used to like Liverpool, and there was a match of theirs that I watched against ManU wherein Liverpool was ahead two points. However, ManU miraculously came back and scored three, clinching the win. I then thought, “Wow, these guys [ManU] don’t give up,” and that’s the type of attitude I admire of them and the one I use now here in DLSU.
