AFTER MONTHS OF build-up and preparations, David Matibag of the San Beda Red Tracksters proudly put the country and the University behind his back, winning a silver and bronze medal during the 2024 ASEAN University Games (AUG) held at Subaraya, Indonesia, July 4.
The collegiate track athlete went head-to-head with the best delegates from universities across Southeast Asia, clocking in a time of 1:52.25 in the Men’s 800 meters to claim the silver and improve his personal best of 1:52.34. To top it all off, he also won the bronze medal in the Men’s 4×100 meter relay.
Tribulations and preparations
The field seemed an easy run for Matibag from an outsider’s perspective, but merely getting there was not as simple as it sounds.
Before the competition, he asked for support through a Facebook post to further ensure his participation in the biennial meet. “Based on my experience, sobrang hirap kasi ako ay naghanap at lumapit sa mga individual na tao para masolusyunan at mabuo ang pondo.”
“Sa [San] Beda naman, may support naman sila pero ‘di ako yung naghawak nung pondo na ‘yun,” added Matibag.
However, he must adapt, not only to the economic factors but also to the training and conditioning required to compete on the international stage.
When asked about his strategy with Coach Giovanni Andaya of the Red Tracksters, he said, “Para sa’kin kasi, paiba-iba naman [ang] panahon. Minsan solo training ako, kaya naman do’n naman sa kapag magkasama kami ni coach [Giovanni], okay naman, nagagawa naman ‘yung training nang maayos.”
On pace to victory
While Matibag initially struggled to keep up after experiencing such a pace in his first international meet, he remained determined to finish with everything left out in the oval.
“Para sa’kin, mahirap talaga kasi first time ko makaranas ng gan’ung pace. Sa first lap, ginawa ko lang ‘yung kaya ng katawan ko at binigay ko ang best ko nung last 150m,” he narrated.
Fortunately, his efforts were not left in vain as he expressed his satisfaction winning second place, saying “Naako na nagpa-pang 2nd, okay naman. Iniisip ko lang tapusin ko nang maka-podium at binigay naman ni Lord.”
“Habang natakbo, ako si God palagi ang hinihingan ko ng lakas. Kahit natakbo ako, kinakausap ko siya,” he elaborated.
What the future has in store
This time around, the 21-year-old Batangas phenom is even more motivated to continue performing for San Beda University (SBU), rallying behind support for what is to come.
“Sana sa susunod na season, ngayong [NCAA] Season 100, maibigay nila ‘yung support na kailangan ng athlete para mas maging matibay at maging expressive ang mga athlete,” he affirmed.
When talking about his expectations and goals for his future endeavors, Matibag shared a few of the competitions he wishes to succeed in, paired with his adjustments in training and optimizing his condition. “Ang target ko talaga [is] NCAA champion ulit at maraming international game pa kaya kahit nag iisa ako sa amin sa pag-training, alam naman na ng katawan ko ‘yung proseso paano maging matibay sa bawat laban.”
Above everything else, David remains grateful for all the support he already received, saying “Maraming salamat po sa pag-support, siyempre sa ANTA Philippines na siyang nagbigay ng mga gamit ko para sa paglalaro ko.”
Amid all that has transpired in Matibag’s journey from the Lion’s Den to his eventual success on the international stage, the one constant factor is how he has answered the Clarion Call.
(with Dianne Radel Magallon)