Sebastian Santos: From Beaches to Tennis Court Benches

The 21-year-old Puerto Princesa native used to tag along with his dad to his tennis training sessions, pick up a few balls, and play with them. This small, innocent gesture became one of his most outstanding achievements growing up.

“Nung 3 years old ako, tinuruan ako ng tatay ko mag tennis kasi coach siya, hanggang sa nag excel ako ng nag excel ako sa tennis, dahil siguro passion na din siya ng tatay ko at sports na din siya ng family namin.” Santos shares with ALL-STAR.

Appreciation for the sport did not come easy; it was as if it was just one of the things he got curious about at an early age. Like any other kid, he also tried different sports to see what fit him more. 

“Nag try ako mag explore ng ibang sports pero parang nung tumanda ako ng tumanda parang mas nag-enjoy ako sa tennis and nung nag high school ako mas nag enjoy ako mag tennis kasi nakikita ko yung improvement ko sa sarili ko hanggang sa nag tuloy tuloy at hanggang sa nakarating ako ng UST”

The young tennis player started to join tournaments to see if tennis was still the right fit for him. There, he started winning and seeing himself improve. That made him decide to take the sport seriously, bringing him to play for UST.

“Nung una pinapajoin ako lagi sa mga tournaments and nung nananalo ako sabi ko sige tuloy tuloy na ito hanggang sa nag improve ako ng nag improve”

Coming in clutch for his team during his first year helped him build his confidence as an athlete. It helped him look up to himself, knowing that he can beat whoever he’s up against since they won’t ever feel the same pressure he felt trying to take home the championship for his team.

“Yung pressure na nararamdaman sa laro, palagi pa rin nandiyan, pero iniisip ko lang na mas may experience na ako at mas matibay na ang loob ko. Napagdaanan ko na ang matinding pressure noong finals yung tipong akala ko hindi ko kakayanin. Doon ko natutunan na hindi hadlang ang kaba o takot, basta may tiwala ka sa sarili mo, sa mga taong sumusuporta sa’yo, at sa plano ni God para sa’yo. “

His tournament experiences made him stronger and better as an athlete, and he uses these challenges to step up his grit. He is also grateful to the people who believed in him on his journey as an athlete and strives to show them that he can grow more in the sport. 

“Sa bawat laban, natututo tayo, tumitibay, at nagiging mas handa para sa mas malalaking pagsubok. Hindi ko ito kayang gawin mag-isa kasama ko si God sa bawat hakbang, pati na rin ang mga taong walang sawang naniniwala sa akin.”

A champion mindset and a close relationship with God helped him shake off his game jitters. It also helps him focus more before and during the game, making him beat whoever he’s up against. He believes that trusting the process and not quitting comes with rewards if you work hard.

“Lagi ko lang iniisip na pinaghandaan ko ’to at ibibigay ko ang best ko sa bawat laro. Bago ang game, nagdadasal ako na bigyan ako ni God ng lakas at wisdom para makapaglaro nang maayos. Pagpasok ko sa court, wala na akong ibang iniisip focus lang sa laro ko, sa mga itinuro ni coach, at sa teamwork namin. Alam kong every game is a chance para matuto at mas gumaling, kaya binibigay ko lahat, full confidence na kaya ko ‘to, pero tuloy pa rin sa pagsisikap para mas maging the best.”

Just like any athlete, he’s not new to losing games, but a positive mindset is what he keeps close, and he tries to use it as a motivation to improve his upcoming games. He still always tries to have the courage to fight every time he’s set to play. 

“Lagi lang akong positive kahit matalo, kasi normal lang naman yun sa laro. Ang mindset ko lagi, kapag natalo, hindi ibig sabihin na hindi ako magaling baka hindi ko lang na-perform yung laro na gusto ko. Pero instead na panghinaan ng loob, ginagawa ko siyang motivation para mas pagbutihin pa. Ang mahalaga, matuto sa bawat pagkatalo at bumalik sa court na mas malakas at mas handa.”

To clear his head from all the pressure during the collegiate tennis season, he still tries to relax on the days they don’t have training. Rest is a big part of his recovery after games, and bonding with his teammates is also a stress reliever. He also enjoys exploring malls or watching movies in his free time. He mentions that his favorite movie is Cars. 

“Nagrerelax lang ako, more on ako sa sleep ganon, kapag free na free talaga ako nag-lalakad kasama teammates ko, nakikipag kwentuhan ako sa kanila. Minsan nag aaral din. Minsan kahit walang training pumupunta pa din ako ng court nanonood ako ng mga teammates ko tsaka minsan nag i-extra workout din ako. Sometimes, watching movies and lumabas [at] pumunta sa mga malls”

One huge misconception that people have about him is that he’s not an approachable person at all. It comes with him always looking serious and relatively quiet around people he’s not close to. He is pretty talkative once you get to know him, but he is also approachable despite his serious-looking features.

“Madaldal, kasi madaming nagsasabi na masungit daw ako, hindi daw ako mabilis maapproach pero hindi naman, approachable naman ako” 

Catch him and the rest of the UST Tennisters on their upcoming games in the UAAP Season 87. Check their schedule here.