MANILA — Already proven standouts inside the court, UAAP student-athletes also make sure that their influence over the youth extends beyond the hardwood and the taraflex.
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With the upcoming protests on September 21 in various parts of the country, some UAAP players expressed their solidarity with the Filipino people’s stand against corruption.
“Sobrang halaga ng boses natin to fight injustices and corruption,” Ateneo de Manila University’s Joshua Lazaro told ABS-CBN News following their overtime win against Far Eastern University on Saturday.
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“It’s very important. Realistically speaking, nasa atin dapat yung power. So it’s very important that we take part in events like what’s gonna happen tomorrow,” added the former Gilas Pilipinas Youth player.
For Lazaro, it is important for student-athletes like him to set an example especially with the reach that they have.
“Ako, personally, I try to voice out whenever there are issues. It’s frustrating, what’s happening around us. Siyempre, apektado tayong lahat eh.“ he said. “So I think na it’s vital that we use our platform to spread awareness to the youth, and ipakita na may role kaming kailangan gampanan bilang mamamayan.”
And even with their statuses as collegiate stars, Lazaro insisted that they are not spared from the effects that the country’s corruption-marred government has on its people.
“We’re part of the UAAP, but we’re also part of the society,” the 6-foot-4 forward said. “Kaya it’s important na reliable na pinagkukunan yung balita, and it’s part of our responsibility as citizens to know, and not be out of touch sa nangyayari sa bansa natin.”
Also among those who aired their frustrations was Adamson University star Cedrick Manzano.
“Nalulungkot ako dahil sa nangyayari sa atin, sa bansa natin,” the 6-foot-5 Soaring Falcon said after tallying 19 points with nine rebounds in their Season 88 opener against De La Salle University.
”Kada kita ko na lang sa social media, sa Facebook, puro ganun na lang yung nangyayari,” he added.
And while he expressed some worry about what may occur from tomorrow’s protest, Manzano said that such actions are within the rights of the Filipino people.
”Okay yun. May karapatan sila eh,” he said. “Sana wag lang sobra.”
Meanwhile, the women’s volleyball team of University of the Philippines expressed their solidarity against corruption by urging the Fighting Maroons community to wear black in their Shakey’s Super League game tomorrow.
“ISKOLAR, TITINDIG KASAMA ANG BAYAN,” the squad wrote.