As much as the country treats basketball as a religion, there are always matters larger than the sport in the grander scheme of things.
For National University, its 103-48 victory over the University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena was about providing inspiration to a country reeling from the catastrophic effects of Typhoon Kristine earlier this week.
“First, I think we’re all super blessed to play this game today,” said fourth-year Lady Bulldogs head coach Aris Dimaunahan. “We know for a fact what happened to our country the past week— yung bagyo— and maraming nasalanta, maraming properties na nawala and maraming buhay na nawala. We felt that playing this game gives us a lot of blessings.
“Sabi ko nga sa mga players kanina, 12 days tayo naghintay to play again. Let’s try to play this game sa tamang paraan para mabigyan ng hope yung nasalanta ng bagyo para magkaroon ng some sort of inspiration makabawi sa nangyari. We’re hoping na lahat ng nasalanta, makabawi sa tragedy na nangyari sa bansa natin. I’m praying for those souls na nawala na sana may they rest in peace and makabawi lahat.”
In the wake of Kristine’s devastation, numerous communities, cities, and provinces are submerged in floods, leading to tragic loss of life and significant damage to properties and agricultural production. With the storm now passed, aid can finally reach the hardest-hit areas, but recovery will take time.
For Lady Bulldogs senior Ann Pingol, who scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds, her team’s performance was a way of respecting the sport while also uplifting their fellow countrymen.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yun nga, sabi ni Coach Aris, we’re grateful na di kami nasalanta ng bagyo and makakalaro kami ng maayos ngayon. Yung ngayong laro namin, kumbaga bigay namin as gift and hope para sa mga kababayan namin na nasalanta ng bagyo,” said Pingol.
In times of tragedy, people expect their local and national governments to deliver swift relief. Citizens active on social media are often vocal about leaders they perceive as either effective or ineffective in their responses.
Amid this situation, Pingol’s batchmate Camille Clarin urged politicians to provide immediate assistance. She expressed her belief that the nation will rebound, as it always does after such adversities.
“Thankfully, we weren’t as affected,” said Clarin, who led NU with 16 points. “But we know that there were so many people (affected) across the country. Hopefully, the elected officials continue to help, and those in power lend a helping hand to those who are struggling.
“I mean, there are people who have a lot of means to help. It’s just the willingness that we need to be seeing. Hopefully, the country will rise up again. We are a country that comes back from all of these struggles all the time. It’s just a matter of banding together to overcome another tragedy.”
