EARLIER this week, Fr. Jannel Abogado, UST’s Institute of Physical Education and Athletics director, stepped down from his post as the storm grew over the men’s basketball team's Bicol bubble controversy.
The Golden Tigresses — the school's women's volleyball team — stay neutral on the issue, and cannot comment about the ongoing investigation. But what they can talk about, though, is how they have witnessed Fr. Jannel’s work for the whole team and community.
The team earlier took to social media to express their support for the athletic director. However, University of Santo Tomas super rookie Imee Hernandez also took the time to speak to SPIN Life about Fr. Jannel.
“Nakikita ko kung gaano kamahal ni Father Jannel kaming mga athletes. Tatay na po namin siya. He is the type na hindi niya kukunsintihin ang mali kahit gaano ka kalapit sa kanya,” Imee told SPIN Life on Thursday.
The 5-foot-9 middle blocker shared that the hands-on director has always shown his support to the school athletes, even attending their games — both minor and major ones, and even their ordinary training days.
“’Yung suporta niya makikita at mararamdaman talaga. Sa training, sa UAAP, at kahit anong tournament, kahit saang lugar, makikita si Father doon. Never siyang nawalan ng tiwala sa amin, even sa mga panahong natatalo kami,” she said.
Hernandez continued: “Binibigay niya lahat ng needs namin: sa training, health, food, benefits, suporta. Sobrang daming nagawa ni father para sa sports program ng UST.”
Coming from the UST Girl’s team that played in the juniors, Imee also bares that the guidance of the priest contributed to her decision to stay and play for UST come college level.
“Masakit sa akin [ang pangyayari], kasi malaking factor is father Jannel kung bakit ko pinili ang UST,” she shared. “Pero kahit na hindi na siya ‘yung director, in-assure niya kami na hindi mawawala ang support samin ng UST, and dadaan pa rin siya sa trainings.”
Hernandez also looked back on the time when Fr. Abogado ensured their security during the start of the pandemic and asked them to discontinue training for their own safety.
“Kami ngang WVT ongoing ‘yung season pero pinauwi niya kami sa kalagitnaan ng training. Hindi niya iri-risk ‘yung health ng athletes. Lagi niyang sinasabi at pinapaalala sa amin at sa coaches na mas importante ‘yung health,” she said.
Now, making most of what’s left for them, Imee revealed that the Tigresses are more eager to make waves in the court once games resume.
“Ngayon, ang magagawa lang naming ay magpakatatag para sa buong UST community, at ipagpatuloy ‘yung laban na sinimulan ni Father Jannel. He deserves more than this. Magcha-champion kami, laban lang,” she vowed.
UST-IPEA has yet to make an official announcement regarding Fr. Abogado’s resignation.
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