Have you ever wondered about how much Filipinos love sports? Think about it: makeshift basketball courts on the streets, the hype and energetic competitiveness you observe during friendly matches, the overflowing support given to our country’s athletes, fan merchandise from participating school leagues and, of course, our athletes themselves who place puso on top of their a-game.
SMART Communications has been supporting many sports electives, as mentioned by Mr. Epok Quimpo, SMART’s Sports Marketing Manager including the AZKALS, Sinag Pilipinas and Gilas Pilipinas.
  
SMART recently launched the second batch of the Smart Elite ambassadors in Caliburger, Century Center Mall in Makati City just in time for this University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season. Nine players from the UAAP schools were chosen for this due to their high level of competitiveness, excellence and sportsmanship, as well as their love for sports.
At the light and engaging press conference hosted by Boom Gonzales and Rizza Diaz, the most improved player of Season 78, Jett Manuel of the University of the Philippines, mentioned how exciting it is to make a comeback for his last season with hopes of his time performing better.
One of the things these sports ambassadors have in common is their amazing tactics of balancing their life in and out of the court. After all, ‘student’ comes before ‘athlete’.
Prince Rivero from De La Salle University admits to be on Twitter a lot thanks to SMART’s high quality mobile internet, but never disregards his priorities particularly his studies. “Basketball can’t last, but your studies will,” he shares. To prove how SMART maximizes their student athlete life, Rookie of the Year of Season 72 Kevin Ferrer of University of Sto Tomas takes on Spinnr, a music streaming subscription service provided by SMART when he’s not shooting hoops.
 
With today’s fast-growing generation comes the never ending topic on social media. As  ambassadors, one must set as good examples. “We can be influential living the SmartLife which can also encourage the people we follow,” remarks Von Pessumal of Ateneo de Manila University, who is on his last playing year.
Kiefer Ravena of the same university also on his  last playing year ponders on the social responsibility of ‘thinking before clicking’, as well as acknowledging the support of the fans. “We need to handle the social media craze well. I can update fans about our games and our happenings, and they deserve that in exchange of the support they give us.” Not only do you count an ambassador’s skill or expertise in the sport but also what’s within – a humble and a kind heart.
The UAAP Smart Elite Ambassadors:Â (standing from left to right) Don Ochea of Adamson University, Von Pessumal of Ateneo de Manila, Gelo Alolino of National University, Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo de Manila University and Prince Rivero of De La Salle University. (Sitting from left) Jett Manuel of University of the Philipines, Smart Communications Sports Marketing Manager Mr. Epok Quimpo, Kevin Ferrer of University of Sto. Tomas and Mac Belo of Far Eastern University.
The UAAP Season 78 is hosted by the University of the Philippines with the theme “Tumitindig, Sumusulong.”
UAAP Season 78: “Tumitindig, Sumusulong”
Catch the games LIVE on ABS-CBN! (Channel 23)
Official Page: https://www.uaapsports.studio23.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Uaap78/
Twitter: @UAAPS78
Livestream Viewing: https://www.uaaplivestream.uaapsports.tv/
For other UAAP-related articles, you may also want to check out:
The Do’s and Don’ts When Watching a UAAP Game
Smart Now Offers New Postpaid Experience to Consumers
