AS Dragons Gear Up for Athena’s Cup 2025 with Leadership at its Core

 

By Vince Raphael Herrera

The Asian Studies Dragons Basketball and Volleyball teams held a joint training session at the Kapatiran Gym last January 16, 2025. The teams trained in preparation for the upcoming Athena’s Cup: AB Intramurals 2025. In hopes of exceeding last year’s results, the newly-appointed captains shared their insights on leadership and game plan for the upcoming intramurals.

Photo by Vince Raphael Herrera/UST Asian Studies Gazette 

On the Transition to Team Captain & Leadership Principles

Taking on leadership roles is both an honor and a challenge for the AS Dragons’ leaders. Patrick Aragon and Cyril Tan feel both gratitude and pressure as they assume the roles of Captain and Co-Captain of the basketball team. Aware of the challenge of leading a squad that finished as runner-up last year, Aragon admitted, “They’re big shoes to fill.” Even so, Tan remains hopeful about the team’s evolution. Through a balance between firm leadership and lenience, Tan is confident that the team can exceed last year’s performance.  

For the volleyball team, Gabriel Dela Cuesta, a seasoned leader who previously led his high school team, will serve as Captain of the Men’s Volleyball team. De La Cuesta emphasizes communication and camaraderie as key principles, believing that trust in each other, built through diligent training, makes the difference. For CJ Hernandez, Co-Captain of the Women’s Volleyball team, the role is both challenging and exciting. Despite experiencing the weight of leadership and self-doubt last year, Hernandez feels more confident now. She believes in equality as a core principle, regardless of year level and volleyball experience.

Photo by Vince Raphael Herrera/UST Asian Studies Gazette 

On Team Preparations

Last year’s heartbreaker loss in the finals taught the basketball team offensive depth and adaptability. “We relied too much on Yannick,” Aragon reflected. With much of last year’s starting lineup consisting of seniors, Aragon acknowledged the difficulties of rebuilding the team. He also expressed the need to fill the void left by their seniors, particularly the backcourt. However, Tan is optimistic about the rebranding of the roster. They plan to create a play style that best matches the players’ tendencies. By experimenting with play styles to match the current roster, the captains ensure everyone contributes from both ends of the court. 

On the other hand, weekly training sessions have been key to the volleyball teams’ preparations. As a libero, Dela Cuesta is honing the team’s defense in hopes of balancing it with their offense. Meanwhile, despite challenges in scheduling, Hernandez is optimistic because of the eagerness and coachability of the players. “You can really see the fire in them,” Hernandez remarked. The women’s volleyball team is diligently working on their setting since it dictates their offensive flow. The team is testing different setters in order to find the right offensive rhythm.

Maintaining Composure and Team Chemistry

In order to respond to the pressures of winning the tournament, the captains aim to build a supportive team environment. Aragon and Tan strive to strike a balance between pressure and presence in order to maintain the team’s chemistry on and off the court. They  push the players’ limits through pressure but also remind them to have fun. “Magsasaya parin kami since this is sports, and yun din naman ang essence,” Aragon explains.

At the same time, to maintain composure and team chemistry, Hernandez emphasizes the importance of celebrating the love of the game by keeping a positive attitude on the court and avoiding unnecessary emotions. While Hernandez has not yet had a formal talk with the team, she is more focused on building the team’s chemistry and fundamentals on the court. For the men’s volleyball team, Dela Cuesta believes that communication and trust are vital. He encourages open dialogue and mutual support by building trust between the players on and off the court. “Encouraging each other, sharing input, and learning from one another is essential for our team’s success,” he said.

Goal for This Year’s Athena’s Cup

Guided by their “systems over results” mantra, the basketball team’s goal is no less than the championship. Emphasizing a play style that suits every player, Aragon and Tan stress the importance of playing smart and having fun. While they are not preparing for a specific team, Aragon is looking forward to facing their former adversary, Philosophy. 

For the volleyball teams, the goal is holistic growth, where every player can perform at their best. Hernandez and Dela Cuesta believe that true success lies in the camaraderie they build along the way.

Equipped with lessons from last year’s results, the Asian Studies Dragons are determined to show the fruits of their labor in the upcoming Athena’s Cup: AB intramurals, set to take place from February 17 - 22, 2025.