Four Student-Athletes, One Big Becoming Era

College sports are no longer just about stats, scores, or school colors. For today’s athletes, it’s about balance. Pressure and joy. Discipline and personality. Becoming someone while still figuring things out.

From volleyball courts to basketball arenas, these four student-athletes are navigating competition, growth, and early adulthood all at once. They’re learning how to show up, how to stay grounded, and how to keep going even when the spotlight feels heavy.

Here’s how they’re doing it.

Glen Rui Ventura — Power, with a Softer Center

Glen Rui Ventura didn’t grow up dreaming of packed arenas or highlight reels. Volleyball started as something simple, a way to stay healthy, until it slowly became something he chose to commit to fully. That choice eventually led him to the De La Salle Green Archers, where consistency is everything.

As an opposite spiker, Rui is often expected to deliver the big moments. He hits high, aims smart, and trusts the system even when the pressure builds. Training rarely stops, rest comes in short windows, and improvement is constant, especially on defense, which he openly says he’s still working on.

Before games, Rui prays. Then he looks around at his teammates, people who understand exactly what it feels like to carry expectations. Off the court, his energy softens. He looks up to Japan’s Yuji Nishida, a fellow lefty whose style he admires. His gym bag essentials are simple and practical, glasses and contacts, always ready after training. Asked to describe his type, he answers in emojis without hesitation: 🔥😜😊.

What stays with him most, though, are the fans. The messages. The edits. The encouragement, especially after tough games. For Rui, recognition matters, but legacy matters more. He hopes to be remembered not just as a reliable spiker, but as a good teammate and an even better friend.

Andre Bolabola — The Brain Behind the Play

Setters do not demand attention.They earn trust.

For Andre Bolabola, joining the NU Bulldogs meant stepping into a system where pressure is constant and excellence is expected. Coming from Tandag City, Andre learned early that control does not come from force, but from clarity.

As a setter, he serves as the team’s anchor, reading the court, managing tempo, and making decisions in split seconds. His calm demeanor is not accidental. It is the result of years of repetition, discipline, and moments spent waiting his turn. Time on the bench taught him patience and appreciation for everyone who helped him improve, from coaches to teammates to family.

Away from the court, Andre’s personality comes through in small, endearing ways. His teammates call him “Asado.” If given a choice, he would take accuracy over speed every time. His guilty pleasure song is Aura by IV of Spades. When asked what makes him kilig these days, his answer is simple and unfiltered: yung ka-chat ko ngayon.

Andre believes volleyball can open doors, just as it did for him. More than wins, he hopes to inspire young athletes to see the sport as a path forward. His presence reflects that belief: composed, intentional, and quietly steady.

Renzo Competente — Keeping It Grounded

Renzo Competente does not carry himself like someone chasing hype.

Now part of the Adamson Soaring Falcons, his transition into collegiate basketball has been about learning how to belong, not demanding space. Raised in a basketball-loving household, Renzo grew up watching games, absorbing advice, and understanding early that growth is a long process.

At Adamson, he focuses on showing up with intention. He values chemistry, listens closely, and treats both wins and mistakes as lessons. There is no rush, no shortcuts, just steady improvement.

What keeps him balanced is perspective. While basketball fuels his passion, finishing his Nursing degree matters just as much. It is his reminder that life extends beyond the court, and that discipline applies everywhere.

His slambook answers feel refreshingly honest. Off the court, he lives in pajamas. His dream 2v2 teammate is LJ Gonzales. He is an Aquarius, though he admits he knows very little about zodiac signs. His green flag is marunong makisama. His red flag, by his own admission, is not treating friends.

When asked about his ideal ligawan, Renzo keeps it simple. Being together is enough. Fire, heart, and angel emojis sum up his type. No excess, no pretenses, just sincerity.

Carl Manding — Confidence, Built Slowly

Carl Manding did not start out fearless. He built confidence over time.

What started as casual father-son shooting sessions slowly evolved into something more serious. Along the way, Carl faced moments of doubt, questions about his ability, and the mental weight that comes with expectation. Now wearing the colors of the UST Growling Tigers, he speaks openly about those struggles.

Instead of letting uncertainty define him, Carl leaned into his support system. Coaches pushed him. Family grounded him. Losses taught him. Over time, those lessons shaped a mindset centered on resilience and trust in the process.

His philosophy is straightforward: use your strengths, enjoy the journey, and bounce back every time. Championships followed, but what defines Carl most is how he responds when things do not go his way.

His quick hits reflect that same grounded energy. After games, he takes a bath. His dream variety show appearance is Family Feud. His victory meal is chicken curry. His celebrity crush is his girlfriend, no hesitation, no qualifiers.

Why They Feel So Relatable Right Now

What connects these four athletes isn’t just talent. It’s where they are in life.

They’re not finished products. They’re students, teammates, and young people figuring things out in real time. They’re learning how to balance ambition with patience, pressure with joy, and growth with gratitude.

And maybe that’s why it’s easy to root for them. They don’t just represent their schools. They represent becoming, and all the uncertainty and excitement that comes with it.

In college sports, that might be the most compelling story of all.

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Photography by Miggy Brono

Art Direction by Joe Andy

Shoot coordination by Cha Canicosa Words by Anya Encarnacion

Styling by Dave Arden Grooming by Jhai Castillo

Shoot at Big Head Studios, Mandaluyong Special thanks to Virtual Playground