ATENEO spiker Michele Morente said she is completely focused on her studies as she aims to rejoin the Lady Eagles in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament after being ruled ineligible this season due to academic deficiencies.
“Gustong-gusto ko na maglaro pero okay lang, okay lang, focus sa studies tapos palakas sa volleyball para at least next year ready na ulit,” Morente, a Politocal Science major, told Spin.ph.
Much as she wants to play during the offseason, Morente said school officials, including Ricky Palou, Ateneo’s representative to the UAAP board, has barred her from joining the Lady Eagles in tournaments and even in practice sessions so she can put complete focus on her studies.
“Gusto nina Sir Ricky mag-focus muna ako sa school talaga, ayaw nila ako sumali kahit saan,” she said. “Hindi as in one year wala talaga, bawal mag training kailangan talaga mag-focus para makabalik next year.”
[See Morente, Gopico to sit out coming UAAP season due to academic woes, says Ateneo official]
The bubbly spiker said it is hard to be away from the game for a long time.
“Oo naman (gusto kong maglaro), kasi syempre if ever pwede ako experience na rin. Pero bawal talaga eh, so sad,” she said laughing.
As a result, Morente, a vital cog in the Ateneo team that ruled the UAAP in 2014, has been reduced into a cheerleader as the Lady Eagles compete in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 Collegiate Conference.
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