Ryan Jacolo, a 20-year-old athlete of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazing Paddlers, recently got his fifth Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He confessed that his introduction to table tennis was more of an accident. His aging father had to do sports for exercise and taught him the sport at the age of six. The father noticed how the young boy can easily carry 10 rallies and decided to train Ryan to excel in table tennis. Ryan was eight when he joined his first tournament in Quezon City. At 11, he qualified for the Palarong Pambansa. Through the sport, he was an athlete scholar both in secondary school at the National University and then at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde for tertiary education.
The Philippine STAR: What makes you stand out compared to other student-athletes in this sport?
Ryan Jacolo: First, I think it is my experience since I started playing table tennis at an early age. The activities of my days are well managed — I can still successfully balance my academics and my sports, considering that I play both for the varsity and for the national teams.
What other special awards have you received outside school?
When I was in high school, I won the bronze in the Juniors Southeast Asian Table Tennis Association (SEATTA) tournament in 2013, plus bronze in SEATTA 2018 in Bali, Indonesia. I was also awarded as National Champion in the Best-of-the-Best Challenge and Philippine Super League this 2018.
What are the school programs or policies that you believe help you and student athletes like you excel both in sports and academically?
It’s a strict policy that we are only allowed to fail 15 units while pursuing our college degrees. There is yet another rule in Benilde where we have to maintain our grades, or our scholarship benefits will be withdrawn. Due to this policy, it was established that there is a fine balance between being a student and an athlete.
How do you balance your time for school and sports?
When I was a full-time student, I would do my schoolwork at night after training. To complicate matters, I had to also finish my thesis, so adjustments had to be done. However, I retained the same schedule — evening training then homework. I recall in my earlier years, I would train with the national team every morning and then once again, every night after class. Today, I attend my on-the-job training from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. so I can only train from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Whatever happens, training must continue.
How much physical conditioning or preparation happens three months before competition?
We follow a tough, rigid program. We jog for 30 minutes every day. Then, after the warm ups, we do table drills and technical trainings. We are guided by definitive goals per training.
Is there a special nutrition plan being followed?
It’s all about self-discipline. Now, as I prepare for the national selections for the South East Asian Games, I limit myself to chicken, beef and fish. I’ve given up on pork and no more softdrinks and caffeinated drinks for me. Whenever I want to energize myself, I take chocolates.
What sacrifices do student-athletes make?
A not-so-active social life in college. Sometimes my peers and I get together, eat and then just go home due to time constraints. Alcohol is forbidden three months before a competition.
Despite his early success and back-to-back awards, Ryan admitted that he plans to retire simply because there is no professional track in his chosen sport. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Computer Applications student is currently eyeing to pursue a corporate job.
Fortunately, he committed to share his skills and talent as a part-time coach to a new breed of young athletes.
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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.