Botchok to play for Humiliswag at the 2016 USA Ultimate Beach Championships!
Renante Onlayao Jr. also known as "Botchok" was introduced to Ultimate in 2013 when he was still a part of a hip hop dance crew in Iligan city. "I love to dance ever since when I was still a freshman in high school" Botchok said. "But when my classmate introduced me to Ultimate Frisbee in 2013 I immediately fell in love with it, and never looked back." He then was invited to join a very athletic and organized team in Iligan, and became one of the top players and go-to-guy of Team Red Horses. "Ultimate Frisbee is my life now." He added. "This is the only sport that I never got tired of playing. Traveling, meeting new friends and playing with or against other teams around the country are the best part of it all"
In 2014, he was invited to play with the Boracay Dragons at the Love Ultimate Tournament in Iligan. His name became known to the community when the Dragons played in the Finals of the 2014 Philippine Nationals against Extreme Dumaguete in Tagum City. His first International tournament was during Manila Spirits 2014. His stats spoke for his hard work because on his rookie year, he was named Male Tournament MVP during Spirits, alongside Female MVP, Cat Philips.
"But I think the biggest break that the Dragons gave me was when Kuya James Yap invited me to play for the National Team in the 2015 WCBU in Dubai" Botchok said. "I immediately said yes, when Kuya James invited me. That was a great opportunity for me to play for my country and to play outside the Philippines."
"The Dubai experience was tough, but it was all worth it. We were on a training camp for two months in Boracay. We trained hard. Six days a week, two times a day. Blood, Sweat and Tears, literally." Botchok was delighted when he was selected to play for the Open Team together with the beach kings of Asia: Panoy Delos Santos, Boboy Famorcan, Xtian Guerrero, Datu Yap, Joebert Buenaventura, and Ben Yap; The Legendary Boracay Dragons. Also in the team are the Younger Dragons like John David "Dada" Liboon, Kevin "Popoy" Pascua, Heyman Rodil, Antonio "Bolantoy" Francisco and more. "I was the youngest and the most inexperienced player on the team." He added. "I got intimidated at first since I know nothing about the other countries' style of play. But I guess, we did alright in the end."
When I asked him about the Showcase game between Team Pilipinas and Team E.R.I.C. during Manila Spirits. "I was so happy and so grateful that I was selected to be in the All-star roster. I gave everything I got on that game." Botchok recalled. "Got intimidated, of course! You are playing against Beau Kittredge, Jimmy Mickle, Matt Redher, and Opi Payne. They are the best in the world. So, there's nothing else you can do but to also give your best to level up the battle"
"I met coach Tim Morrill back in Boracay when he was handling our conditiong workouts in preparation for Dubai." Botchok said when I asked him about Tim Morill. The man who gave him this privilege to play in the US Beach Nationals in Virginia Beach. "I still can't believe that I was chosen by Coach Tim to play with Humiliswag in the US Beach Nationals. There are tons of great players here in our country, and I was the one who got selected? I am so excited!" Botchok added that flying to the States just to play Ultimate is like a dream come true for him. As a simple kid from Iligan city as he can be, Botchok confessed that he is a little scared of how fast all these things are happening to his young career. "But I will never back down; Go na to! Malaking Opportunity nato para sa akin!'"
The USA Beach Nationals Championships is just a few weeks away. Botchok will be flying to the US on May 4th and will be in training with Humiliswag before beach nationals that is scheduled on May 14th. "I will do the best I can to contribute and help the team, in order for us to win games and maybe the whole tournament. And I'm sure that I will learn a lot from this amazing experience." Botchok added.
"I would like to thank Kuya James Yap for giving me this opportunity to showcase what I can do in the bigger stage. To all my friends and relatives who prayed for me to pass my visa interview, thank you! Without your prayers, I don't think I would be able to pass that test. And last but not the least, I would like to thank Ate Karen Cabrera, for believing in me from the start. For pushing me and giving me words of encouragement all these years. Ate Karen, you are the reason why I am confident enough to face this challenge. Thank you!"
When asked if he has any message for his fellow players. "Stay humble. Stay grounded. Don't abuse yourself. Stay healthy and always play hard. Someday, it will be your turn to be chosen to represent our country in the world stage. 'Aabot din kayo sa level na ito. Dapat pag may mag tuturo sa inyo makinig lang, para din sa inyo yan para kondisyun kayo at malakas parati.' "
Botchok deserves all the blessings that are coming his way. He's a good kid. I believe that he will do great this coming USA Beach Nationals. And I believe that he will represent our country with great pride.
First there was Xtian Guerrero. And now, Botchok Onlayao. Who will be next?
STAY TUNED.
GOOD LUCK CHOK!!! KUMAIN NG MARAMING KANIN!!!
Until then... More images to share. More stories to tell... It's All About U!
To follow Botchok's journey to the US, visit our social media pages. Regular updates will be posted before, during and after the USA Beach National Championships!
0 comments: