UAAP Athlete of the Year hopes to compete in SEA Games

Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Athlete of the Year Maria Camille Manalo hopes to compete in the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia this November.

Manalo won the prestigious award after copping the Most Valuable Player honors in the lightweight division in taekwondo this season. She also won a bronze medal in the ASEAN University Games and was part of the national team in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Manalo is hoping her achievements will help land her a spot in the biennial meet. "It is a big event, so hopefully I can compete in the SEA Games," said Manalo during the UAAP's closing ceremony at the Araneta Coliseum. Swimmer Ingrid Illustre of University of the East captured the Athlete of the Year award in the juniors division after claiming her fourth MVP title. Manalo is not included in the PHL team for the coming Olympic qualifying event in Azerbaijan next year, but she is looking forward to earn a shot at making it to the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics. "It's my dream of winning a gold in the Olympics," said Manalo, who began training in taekwondo at age 10. De La Salle's Bro. Bernie Oca turned over the hosting duties to Ateneo, which was represented by Ricky Palou, during the closing ceremonies. "Creating heroes" was the theme of La Salle in Season 73. Bro. Oca said that the athletes exemplified that trait during the season. "I am confident that with this renewed sense of heroism, the UAAP will continue to scale greater heights as we turn over the hosting duties to Ateneo for Season 74," said Bro. Oca. "Ateneo gladly accepts the responsibility to host Season 74," Palou responded. - KY, RCJ, Reuben Terrado, GMA News