As collegiate sports is incapacitated by the pandemic and the University continues to recover from controversy, the UST Golden Tigresses have found a silver lining as they secured the services of a high school volleyball standout in Ypril Tapia.
Tapia, an 18 year-old open hitter listed at 5’4” was confirmed as a new member of the UST Golden Tigresses last August and is set to debut in the upcoming season 83 of the UAAP despite the uncertainties presented by the pandemic.
Humble beginnings
In an exclusive interview with TomasinoWeb, Tapia shared that she started playing volleyball “just for the fun” with her friends before eventually discovering a love for the game.
“Actually trip trip ko lang noon maglaro kasi nakikita ko rin mga kaibigan ko naglalaro, so tinry ko, hindi ko alam isa na pala iyon sa magiging passion ko. Thankful ako na nadiscover ko ang volleyball.” she said.
According to her, she was actually discovered by a “magtataho” during her humble beginnings, who first discovered her talent and influenced her to pursue volleyball. This “magtataho”, whom she met way back in elementary school, also doubled as coach of her volleyball team.
“Yung coach ko yung magtataho, siya po yung nakadiscover sa talent ko. Naniwala siya sakin na kaya ko, pinagpatuloy ko po,” Tapia shared.
An accomplished juniors career
Early on into her career, Tapia has already achieved a number of accolades, such as participating in the Palarong Pambansa, winning the North Luzon Girl’s Volleyball Tournament MVP while also being the Best Outside Attacker in the tournament and the 2019 National Rebisco Volleyball League Most Valuable Player (MVP).
But when asked what was her “biggest break” in her career before joining UST, she answered, “2019 National Rebisco Volleyball League po, talo po kami doon pero yun po kasi yung mga pinakamagandang memories kumpara po sa Palarong Bansa, hindi ko po kasi naenjoy doon kasi first time ko na hindi ko po kasama yung mga teammates ko dati dahil hugot po ako nung Palarong Pambansa”.
The rookie also makes sure that emotions do not affect her performance on the court. “Meron din po [emotions] , pero syempre din po kapag naglalaro, hiwalay po dapat ang feelings at yung mga bagay na ginagawa ko sa laro” she answered when asked if unfamiliar teammates affected her in the Palarong Pambansa. “Hindi din po kasi naging madali ang maging hugot po lalo na may naging favoritism po” she added.
Her “idol” in the Phillipine Volleyball scene are Alyssa Valdez and Sisi Rondina because of their talent and urge to work hard to keep the dream alive. “Sila Alyssa Valdez at [Sisi] Rondina po kasi sila yung pinaka naging inspirasyon ko para lumakas at maging matatag po,” she shared.
A ‘dream come true’
When asked if there are other schools that tried to recruit her she replied, “Opo marami po pero pinili ko parin po UST”.
In a previous article by the Varsitarian, she stated that UST is her dream school and said that it was a dream come true once she became part of the Tigresses.
“Dream come true. Kasi pangarap ko lang po ito noon, hindi ko rin inexpect na matutupad sya,” she shared to TomasinoWeb.
Tapia was recruited by Golden Tigresses assistant Yani Fernandez in a tune-up game against them last April 2019 and is currently taking up Bachelor of Physical Education in the University’s Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA).
When it comes to contributing to the team, the 18-year-old said that she hopes to contribute by being a disciplined player, stating that this is what her past experiences have taught her.
“Siguro pagiging disiplinadong player po kasi aminado po ako noon pasaway ako pero sa mga napagdaanan ko, natuto ako maging disiplinado kasi alam kong hindi ako makakarating kung nasan ako kung pinagpatuloy ko po ang puro laro walang aral ganun pero ngayon, ginagawa ko naman lahat para mapag sabay ang laro at pagaaral,” Tapia answered.
Lastly, when asked on what her message for the Thomasian community is, she answered, “Una syempre nagpapasalamat ako sa UST at nagtiwala sila sa kakayahan ko at sisiguraduhin ko pong gagawin ko ang lahat upang makatulong sa team para makuha po namin ulit ang kampyon,” as her goal for the team is to win the UAAP Championship for season 83.
Tapia is set to join a Golden Tigress squad led by the Laure sisters and the sophomore star Imee Hernandez.
The Tigresses last won the Women’s Volleyball championship 10 years ago against the De La Salle Lady Spikers. Can they win the crown back to España this upcoming UAAP season 83?
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