Lourdes Ordoveza, 21 y/o Center Forward for the UP Lady Maroons
When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was around grade 6, but then that was just for fun. I tried joining a team when I was 2nd year high school, in my high school team, Assumption. and then that’s when I started. I actually liked the sport and I didn’t expect I’d be playing for college.
What inspired you to play basketball?
I think it’s my dad ’cause I really didn’t want to play the sport. I really didn’t want to try out for the high school team, but then my dad just told me to try it. As in, he just said there’s no harm in trying, so I did. And after, yun, he was actually correct. I enjoyed the team, I actually felt like I have another family.
What is the most difficult part about being a Center Forward?
Maybe for me now, the most difficult part for me, aside from my position, ’cause I’m also one of the seniors already, is leading the team in general, on and off the court. ‘Cause you have to be the one to make a play so that you can make your other teammates open. So in my position, maybe what’s hard is competing against also taller players especially we’re limited with height.
What is your favorite thing about being a Center Forward?
Maybe the feeling that, since I’m leading the team, I’m able to achieve what I want to achieve. It really feels good, like to be successful in whatever my goal is, which is to lead the team and to help them win in every game.
Who is your basketball idol?
I don’t have one in general, but maybe, the last game I watched is NBA, I really liked Lebron James ’cause it’s like a one man team ’cause he’s the one scoring and he never stopped. I just like his work ethic and he tries to really help his teammates out eventhough I know he’s the only one who stands out, but he tries to give options to make a play in order to make his teammates open and score. Not only him but his other teammates.
What is your best advice for new basketball players?
I guess for me, my advice is that since they’re just starting the sport, they should never stop, if they think the sport is not for them, they should not give up, they should still try to find ways in order to achieve their goals. Since they wanted to try it the first place, why should they stop, right? So just keep going.
What is the most challenging part of being a student athlete?
Maybe balancing time and studies and training because aside from trying to win our game, we also have to study in order to work, since in women’s basketball, there’s no professional women’s basketball, right? So obviously we have to graduate so we can find a job ’cause it’s not only basketball, it’s also our future, if ever we want to have our families, or earn money, ofcourse we really need to study hard so that we can achieve our goals.
What is your favorite class/subject?
My favorite class is one of my majors, ’cause my course is Tourism, we learn about the different places around the world, I actually like that feeling, like getting to know different cultures, getting to know people around, yeah, that’s my favorite class.
Where is your favorite place to relax?
I can say the beach, because I just like hearing the waves. I don’t know, it just really feels calm and it makes me forget my problems at times and I just enjoy whatever I see. I’m like a nature lover.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is ginataang bilo bilo, it’s really good.
