“SOARING TO UNFATHOMABLE heights” is a recurring theme amongst our Bedan athletes, in their quest to discover the depths of the unknown and reach peaks like never before. Collegiate track student-athlete David Matibag has been at the forefront of this pandemonium, in his bid to represent the hopes of a nation and the University.
Following the news that David has been called to suit up for the 2024 ASEAN University Games, the former has set his sights on bringing glory to both worlds, but not without the much-needed support of the community.
Setting the stage: 2024 ASEAN University Games in Subaraya
David Matibag, a 21-year-old student-athlete from the San Beda Red Tracksters, has made leaps and strides in his invitation to play for the Philippines in the upcoming 2024 ASEAN University Games, owing to his prowess in the 800-meter track event of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) Weekly Relay series.
In case anyone was wondering, the ASEAN University Games (AUG) is a biennial multi-sport event for universities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). With best of the best student-athletes duke it out, this year’s edition will be happening in Subaraya, Indonesia.
The rigorous selection process and preparations efforts
The path wasn’t all clear for Matibag, going through rigorous preparations ahead of the 2024 ASEAN University Games. But one may ask, how did David get to this point?
In an interview, David recalled that he attained his rightful place as a representative of the Philippines and SBU by sprinting past his contemporaries in the PATAFA Weekly Relay which spanned from June up until August in 2023. The event culminated through a final showdown in November by which Matibag ultimately bagged the second place, just behind the national team.
“Overall po… lagi po akong top two, maintain ko po ‘yung pagiging top two ko mula 2023 hanggang sa nag-ano po sila, ranking sa event po… 800 meter [track running event], na ako po ‘yung napili,” he added.
On top of that, David’s stellar performance in his previous stints, such as his bronze medal finish in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 98, also propelled him towards qualifying for the ASEAN University Games.
Moreover, beating the NCAA record this coming Season 99 is also one of David’s personal goals before competing in Indonesia.
He needs your support
But of course, his dream of representing the country would not be possible without the necessary financial resources to accommodate David’s stay in Indonesia. As such, he has made efforts to reach people through posts in social media.
Dr. Diosdado M. Aler III, the Athletics Moderator of San Beda University (SBU), reiterated that there is a proper channel for ensuring that David is properly compensated and supported throughout his ASEAN Games journey, emphasizing that steps have already been taken to realize his participation in the tournament.
He said, “Well… I actually asked the coach to write a formal solicitation letter, okay. Signed by him, and signed by me as the Athletics Moderator…so that after receiving the money from the sponsors, we need now to create a liquidation report,” he added.
Above all else, David remains grateful for the amount of support he has received, saying “nagpapasalamat din po ako sa mga ka-teammate ko na palaging nandiyan, support po and my coach, my family… ayun po, sa amin pong province, [for their] full support po sa paglalaro sa ASEAN (University Games).”
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has presented itself, and David has stepped up to the challenge of proving that the Bedan winning culture transcends national borders. There is nowhere to go but up for San Beda and our country.
In line with this, let us continue to support our own David Matibag in his first international endeavor in any way we can. Interested sponsors can offer financial donations for David through GCash, with the details presented below:
Account Name: Maica Janine Vicencio
Account Number: 09360830949