University of Cebu

At the 2007 Arafura Games held in Darwin, Australia, three UC students earned recognition in Athletics. Jorge Pinanonang succeeded in the 400m hurdle in track and field with a silver medal, while table tennis partners Jay Eribert Impuesto and Michael Motel garnered bronze in the men’s doubles.
In a chummy conversation, UC WATCH got the inside scoop from the hearts and minds of the winning duo, Michael Motel (MM) and Jay Eribert Impuesto (JEI).

UC Watch: How did you prepare for the competition?
MM: For the Arafura (games) we trained for two weeks. We slept before 9 P.M., woke up at 5 A.M., jogged at 5.30 A.M. The rest of the mornings were devoted to doing more exercises. In the afternoon, we practiced playing until 6 P.M. Prior to that, we had the Prisaa in Ilo-ilo which we prepared for a whole month. The whole UC team was the grand slam champion.
JEI: I jog every day and practice seriously. I also join tournaments for exposure.

How long have you been playing? Who inspired you to excel in this sport?
MM: I first tried playing in grade two. Watching my idol Wang Liqin, the Chinese table tennis champ who is currently ranked by ITTF as the number one in the world, moved me. My family inspires me foremost, and the school, too. If I’d bring honor to the university, my family would be happy. (smiles)
JEI: I’ve been playing for almost nine years now. It’s always been my parents who inspire me.

What are the perks of being a student athlete?
JEI: Being a student athlete has helped me to be a responsible person, and to be more aware of time management.
MM: Each of us has a scholarship and the university gives us a financial incentive during competitions.

Have you joined other international competitions other than the recent Arafura?
JEI: I was at the SEA Junior Table Tennis Championship in Brunei Darussalam.
MM: While in high school (here in UC), I was at the Sea Games, Junior division, held in Singapore in 2002. In 2004 I was at the Brunei Sea Games, Junior division, Table Tennis, while a freshman in college. Last year (2006), I was in the competition in Singapore. We were at the Table Tennis Championship as the Quarter Finalists. But I guess, the most glorious would still be the Arafura games.

What is the coach’s most important lesson for you?
MM: Coach Jessica Jawad Honoridez’s most useful teaching for me would be discipline, the importance of being on time. Otherwise, a player would be at default in a competition.
JEI: She taught me to be confident.

What message would you want to extend to the rest of the UC studentry?
JEI: If you want to join and win in a tournament, preparation is a must.
MM: Strive hard in school. I still believe a degree is most important.

Their international competitions may hold us in awe, while they trotted around the globe representing the school and the Philippine team. But these students, young as they are, surely have much more to share in the years to come. As they talked about their passion, experiences and outlooks in life that fuel their determination, one can conclude that wisdom, clearly, doesn’t go with age alone.