Photo grabbed from Elbren Neri’s Facebook account.
University of Santo Tomas Trackster Elbren Neri withdrew his stint in the upcoming UAAP Season 79 track and field tournament to focus on training for the 29th Southeast Asian Games in August 2017.
“Nagkaroon kasi ng conflict doon sa training ko tsaka sa klase ko. Tapos ‘yung SEA Games kasi malapit na next year na,” Neri told TomasinoWeb via phone interview.
Neri, a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Technology and Livelihood Education student, said he has four major subjects this semester but his subjects cannot be moved to another schedule besides 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“Apat lang sana pero major kaya hindi malipat, tsaka lagi umaga kaya naapektuhan training ko. ‘Pag hindi naman kasi ako makapag-training dito sa national team, ‘pag kunwari bumaba ‘yung performance ko, ‘e tatanggalin ako dito, tsaka hindi ako makakalaro sa SEA Games ‘e ‘yun ‘yung gustong-gusto ko masalihan,”said Neri, who is part of the national team pool in athletics.
The 22-year-old Neri still plans to continue taking his subjects after playing in the SEA Games. “Hindi ko kasi kaya na pagsabayin training ako dito [sa ULTRA] tapos biyabiyahe diyaan sa UST. Tinry ko mga isang buwan nahirapan talaga ako parang hindi nakayanan ng katawan ko.”
In the recently concluded University Games 2016 in Dumaguete City, Elbren bagged two gold medals in the 800-meter and 1500-meter run for UST. However, it was unexpected for the team that it will be his last time to wear a black and gold jersey to represent UST.
“It was unexpected kasi kasama pa namin siya sa UniGames sa Dumaguete. Hindi niya kinaya pagsabayin ‘yung aral at ensayo at mag-focus muna siya sa SEA Games,” UST Track and Field head coach Emmanuel Calipes said via phone interview.
“He is a big loss but I have to respect his decision. Nag-sorry naman siya,” Calipes expressed.
Neri has played for four years for UST and is the UAAP record holder in the 800-meter and 1500-meter run with a time of 1.52.85 and 3.57.22 respectively.
“Mabigat pero wala kailangan mag-move-on. Dadaan lang naman sila ng ilang taon sa UST tapos move on,” Calipes added.
Despite withdrawing in the biggest collegiate event, Elbren has great faith in his teammates to win the championship.
“Good luck sa kanila [UST Tracksters] alam ko namang kayang-kaya nila ‘yan ‘e. Tsaka ayun mag-training lang palagi at ‘wag din silang pabaya din sa aral. Tsaka tiwala lang sila sa sarili nila. Kahit wala naman ako, nagtitiwala ako na kakayanin pa rin nila manalo,” Elbren said.
The UAAP Season 79 track and field tournament schedule is still to be announced but will be held at the ULTRA Track Oval in Pasig City, while the 29th SEA Games will be held on August 19 to 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.