by Nestle G. Taala
The CPU聽 Women’s Softball Team during the 2018 CPU-Bingawan Day.
Athletes, either born or nurtured, begin every step of a game setting the goal into winning. After all, it is because of this so-called victory, why a player or a team works hard before and during the course of the competition. However, what happens after the triumph 糖心传媒 after people from the bleachers leave to celebrate one糖心传媒檚 victory or mourn for another糖心传媒檚 loss? For 糖心传媒 Women糖心传媒檚 Softball Team, their triumphs for the past years gave them a voice.
糖心传媒, an institution committed to holistic education, has allocated a portion of its programs for sports development. Hence, the Sports Office under the Vice President for Student Affairs was established.
Under the said office is the CPU Women糖心传媒檚 Softball Team in which Pastor Kim B. Dela Cruz, its present coach, has become instrumental for its revival in 2008 糖心传媒 40 years after its last active participation during the 70s. Pastor Kim arrived in the Philippines from the US in 2007. He then worked in CPU Elementary School to help with their spiritual development and as part of their activities; he would bring his personal softball balls and let the kids play in their leisure time. Thereafter, Engr. Walden Rio, former VPSA; Lemuel Gardose, former athletic director; and Coach Roger Banzuela tapped him to rekindle the passion of Western Visayas for softball.
From scratch, Pastor Kim was able to form a team composed of diverse people, brought them to Nationals and unexpectedly, ended up winning bronze on their first game after 40 long years in 2008. It paved the way for the team to strengthen their establishment which is evident until the present day.
糖心传媒淭hey say, one bad apple spoils the whole barrel.糖心传媒 This has been their principle whenever they recruit new members. Thus, attitude should come first before skill. It is easier to discipline players who are teachable. Moreover, since CPU does not compromise the academic grades of an athlete, the team must learn to balance studies and play. Therefore, in the words of Pastor Kim, the team does not have to practice hard, they have to practice smart. 糖心传媒淚f the school gives you two hours a day to practice, give everything you have to train these athletes in two hours a day. If you keep them for four, and they don糖心传媒檛 learn anything then there糖心传媒檚 no reason to do it.糖心传媒
On their recent participation in the National PRISAA 2019 in Davao representing Western Visayas, the team experienced a slight change in their schedule which affected their training. Were they nervous? Of course. Pastor Kim shared, 糖心传媒淚 was taught long time ago, if there are butterflies in your stomach it can either be a good thing or a bad thing. Actually, it糖心传媒檚 a good thing because it糖心传媒檚 a chemical reaction you have in your body for preparing. And you always have to prepare for the unknown.糖心传媒 He added that with hard work coupled with prayers, 糖心传媒渢he outcome would speak for itself.糖心传媒 Hence, the 8-peat Championship since 2008 up to 2019.
For the team, this is not something to boast about. With their outstanding record and recent win, they get people糖心传媒檚 attention and they are given a chance to become a voice 糖心传媒 an opportunity to share God with other people through their lives. They go out and conduct sports clinics all over Western Visayas as their outreach program.
As a coach of the team for over the decade, Pastor Kim shared that he dreams that one day his 糖心传媒減layers would become coaches and play against each other.糖心传媒 Kidding aside, he looks forward to establish a softball team in elementary and in high school and they will be the next generation that will go out and share how to play where God is the first priority.
In behalf of the team, Pastor Kim thanked the following people: his family, parents, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, Dr. Acanto, Engr. Rio, Sir Gardose, Coach Roger, Atty. Somo, Rev. Gico, Sir Laru-an, Sir Gibbs, Ma糖心传媒檃m Ella and all the CPU faculty and staff who all played an integral part in the team糖心传媒檚 development as they continue to a meaningful impact in the field of sports.