By Adrian Stewart Co
Negrense sprinter MJ Maldeguia is set to realize his University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) dream after committing to Far Eastern University’s (FEU) athletics team.
The Bata National High School standout was recruited by the FEU Charging Tamaraws following his strong showing at the 2021 Philippines National 3000m Virtual Championships where he finished third with a clock of 9:03.
“I am thankful to this opportunity given to me by FEU. Playing in the UAAP is a dream come true for me so I am thankful to coach Reggie Montaño for molding me to become a better athlete,” Maldeguia said in an interview with FEU Advocate.
“At FEU, I am looking forward to improving my game and strengthening my skills further and I also hope to help them win a championship come UAAP Season 84,” added the Negrense runner.
Maldeguia, who was an aspiring football player during his younger years before shifting to athletics, admitted that staying in shape has been a struggle for him during the pandemic period but is doing the necessary adjustments.
“During the pandemic, I was back to zero because I cannot go outside but I already adjusted,” Maldeguia said. “However, I assure that I will regain my shape to show the FEU that they were not wrong in recruiting me.”
Maldeguia is not a pushover of an athlete as he captured silver medals in the 2019 WV Regional Athletic Meet in Capiz and also won gold and silver medals for the relay, middle and long-distance events in the 2018 and 2019 Palarong Panlalawigan.
Montaño of Singapore-based H12 Coaching, for his part, has high hopes that the 18-year-old Maldeguia will make it big with the Charging Tamaraws due to his dedication and hard work.
“He has been under my watch for around six months, where he has shown tremendous improvement,” he said. “I have reminded him not to set aside his academics since once he got a failing grade, he is automatically out of the team.”
Maldeguia is the third Negros Occidental-based recruit for the FEU athletics team after its women’s squad secured the commitments of Bacolod Tay Tung High School’s Antonette Jay Aguillon and Ara Rahbea Delotavo last month./ASC, WDJ