WITHIN the hallowed grounds of SBCA, remarkable talent is scoring goals. In an interview with THE BEDAN HERALD, Rose Ann Anib (IV-BECED) uncovered her tale of determination, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of her dreams in the world of women’s football. 

Switching from Indoor to Field

Anib's inspiring journey began in third grade when she became an athlete. What inspired her to continue pursuing sports was her success in winning tournaments, receiving allowances, and acquiring new equipment. Since then, she has carved her path to success in the sport she loves. “My first sport was table tennis until I was 14,” she said, sharing that it took her a while to get into football. In the eighth grade, Anib met her high school's female football team during one of her table tennis games and delightedly accepted their invitation to join the football team. 

However, her journey truly started when she and her teammates decided to sign up for the SBCA Junior Women's Football team back in 2018, and they all made it through the tryouts. This dedication led to her now-long experience with the sport, as Anib has been playing for the team for five years.

All In This Together

Teamwork has never been a problem with Anib and her teammates, citing the comfort they have with each other and the experiences that they went through these past few years. “The chemistry and bond that we have with each other due to training flows naturally for all of us,” she said. Moreover, SBCA Women’s football coach, Aristotle Santos, played an important role in shaping her as an athlete and building her self-confidence. “He was not just a coach on the field but also in my life. I consider him a father figure,” she added. 

Anib adapted her skills according to her opponent's playing style. Recognizing that each team employs a distinct strategy, her coach emphasized the importance of understanding that a singular skill cannot be effective against all opponents. Instead, she learned to tailor her approach based on their weaknesses.

I Can Still Make the Whole Field Shimmer

Being a student-athlete can be challenging most of the time. But with Anib’s 13 years of experience as an athlete, she eventually got used to it. “Time Management is the key along with knowing my priorities well,” she said. Alongside her responsibilities as a student, she never failed to give her utmost effort for the success of her team. Throughout the years, the team obtained different achievements such as the Championships of the WNCAA Season 50 Football Cup, 2018 RIFA Cup, 2019 Rifa Cup, and NCAA South Season 20. 

The Lion’s Kick

Having been their home for years, SBCA has offered a strong support system to all the athletes who filled them with pride. “San Beda offered us this scholarship as a message for us to work and study harder to not waste the opportunity,” she said. Undoubtedly, her time as a student-athlete at SBCA made an impressive impact on her life, as it allowed her to integrate her plans with the experiences she gained. In line with her current major in Early Childhood Education, her plan after graduating is to pursue a career in “coaching the little ones.” 

Anib has received unwavering support from the community she belongs to. She also extended her valuable advice not only to aspiring athletes but also to the entire community. “We only live once and being a student is just a phase in our lives. We should strive to make it happen,” she emphasized.