Normally, Rain or Shine, a team composed mainly of young, up and coming stars provide some sort of inspiration to the youth in whatever they do.
But on 16 April, during the press conference of the ‘Commustahan With Rain or Shine’, a platform created by the Bachelor of Arts and Communication and the Association of Dominican Communicators, it was the key members of the Elasto Painters headed by coach Yeng Guiao and promising rookies Keith Datu and Luis Villegas, who were inspired by no less than the students of St. Dominic College of Asia, Medical Technology students taking up Art Appreciation.
“Thank you for the thought and the effort that you put into it. We will make sure that all the players see that. They will put that in our viewing room,” said Guiao. “That’s usually our meeting room. Every time we play or we have a meeting, we watch videos of our opponents, ourselves, we’ll put that in a wall.”
“Maybe, it would inspire the other players. Baka suwerte rin yan, baka dahil dyan, mag-champion kami.”
Guiao was referring to a painting created by select students of Medical Technology and in their own little way, they were able to share the kind of community they envisioned for SDCA, with a painting and a slogan entitled: ‘Paint here tomorrow to live a life so divine.’
The following day, the Elasto Painters posted their fifth straight win to continue their streak in the PBA Philippine Cup after beating NorthPort, 115-105, and getting themselves back in the hunt for a playoff berth.
Guiao, Datu and Villegas were special guests in the SDCALympics 2024, the first time PBA players were able to grace the annual festivity and provide entertainment not just to the participants of the sportsfest competing in multi-events, but the entire school community — the students, school officials and staff.
On top of the sportsfest, the three were also invited to take part in the press conference where selected students from Mass Communication, MT, Nursing, Information Technology and Psychology taking up subjects like Broadcasting Principles and Practices, Radio Scriptwriting and Production, The Contemporary World, Purposive Communication and Art Appreciation were given the privilege to ask the guests questions and get to know them up close and personal.
As part of the Q and A, Datu and Villegas were also able to address certain issues being experienced by students, including dealing with stress, which was asked by Mykhel Cabral, a Psychology student taking up The Contemporary World.
“Playing in the PBA, the spotlight is always on you, on and off the court. There’s always a pressure to perform well and set a good example. As far as the mental health goes, it’s having the mental toughness, not worrying too much about what else is thinking. You show up and do your job the best that you can. All that you have to do is do is to give your best. If you contuinue to do that, I think you’ll be in the right place,” said Datu.
Preparation, according to Villegas, is a big part in dealing with stress.
This early part of his professional career, the 6-foot-7, Fil-Am forward out of University of the East, has been able to experience stress a lot of times, including dealing with injury.
The third overall pick in this season’s Rookie Draft has yet to play in the PBA and is itching to get into action, but he knows he needs to complete his recovery from his Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury before fulfilling his dream playing in the big league.
Villegas has been preparing to battle stress the best way he can.
“I think the best way to handle stress as athletes is that we’re prepared. Preparations goes hand in hand with being stressed. We always take the worth it for what they are. But we also prepare ourselves mentally and physically whatever comes our way.
