WORK HARD, PLAY HARD — Klasmeyt Krich Macaslang, amid the pandemic, juggles both online classes and training in anticipation of the next season.
“I can wait for it,” says Krich Macaslang as she patiently waits for the upcoming season, putting her time redeeming her A-game.
Filled with disappointment because of the abrupt ending of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 82, the Adamson Lady Falcons’ middle blocker had to refocus herself and face the reality in this pandemic.
Through the help of the coaching staff, Macaslang and the rest of the team are able to maintain their fitness and get back up from this negative situation through their scheduled practices using Zoom meetings.
The Lady Falcons virtually perform drills and exercises together and monitor their food intake to avoid an unhealthy lifestyle.
“We manage to stay physically fit by watching what we eat, of course. Do the drills and exercises that our coaches prepare for us every day. Ayun, mga little things lang [that] you need to avoid. Hindi dapat magbago [ang routine] kasi mas mabilis kami mag gain weight because hindi katulad ng practice [ngayon] sa regular practice namin nung normal pa.’’
(We manage to stay physically fit by watching what we eat, of course. Do the drills and exercises that our coaches prepare for us every day. Those little things that you need to avoid still. Our routine should not change because it’s easy for us to gain weight because we have a different practice right now than the regular practice.)
Krich admits that it is hard to stay positive in this pandemic but does her best to keep her mind refreshed and strengthened through watching videos about empowering mental health daily.
The pandemic gave Krich a hard time to adjust to the ‘new normal’ especially when it comes to volleyball and academics.
The 3rd year Lady Falcon took her time familiarizing and being used to online classes, but learned to cope up later on.
“Everything is new for me but what I learned so far and [helps] me cope up is not to waste the synchronous schedule I have with the professors and kung pwede interact talaga with my professors and classmates.”
(Everything is new for me but what I learned so far and helps me cope up is not to waste the synchronous schedule I have with the professors and interact with my professors and classmates as much as possible.)
Longing for volleyball, Macaslang jokingly confessed that she already dreams about it and makes up for it by looking into their photos and previous videos.
The 20-year-old UAAP player looks forward to season 83 but is not in a rush and wants to make sure that everything is safe for them.
Macaslang understands the protocols and situation of the sports world and the country. “At first, I was, we were really hoping na ituloy na nila [ang season] pero after all the issues and problems na nangyari sa country natin and sa sports world, masasabi ko na, I can wait for it. Kung kailan pwede na talaga at masisiguro na nilang magiging safe lahat. Tutal volleyball is always there naman. Our concern muna ngayon siguro is our health kasi mahirap magkasakit these days, sobrang hirap, and bilang athlete: katawan ang puhunan. So, dapat alagaan muna namin yung sarili namin.”
(At first, I was, we were really hoping that they will continue the season but after all the issues and problems in the country and the sports world, I can say that I can wait for it. When it is alright and safe for all of us. In fact, volleyball is always there. Our concern right now is our health because it is so hard to be sick these days and as an athlete, our body is our capital and investment. So, we should really take care of ourselves.)
Volleyball is more than just a sport for Krich, and this pandemic definitely cannot bring her down in her journey. With her daily routines and mentality that is focused on the reality and her dreams, there is no doubt she will win in this redemption.
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