Hipona Brothers bag gold in SCUAA-I 2020 Athletics Event

NLPSC bags three (3) golds in the just-concluded State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA)-I 2020 held at the Mariano Marcos State University on January 20-25, 2020. Ace Hipona, 22, a sophomore BSCS student, earned gold medals in 3k, 5k, and 10k categories. He is also the Most Valuable Player for the athletics event.

His brother, Lucky Augustine Hipona, 21, also a sophomore BSCS student, landed third place for the 800-m run event.

The Hipona brothers have always been running enthusiasts since their early years. Ace noted that he began competing in running events since his third year of high school and his brother, Lucky, in his first year of high school. The brothers share a lot of similar interests and are both taking the same degree.

When asked who the icon that inspires them to do better in running sport, they both answered Mo Farah, the British Olympic gold medalist in athletics. Also, they both mentioned that they are heavily inspired and motivated by their older brother, Arlon, who is also a running enthusiast and athlete. Ace mentioned that their brother, Arlon, personally trains them.

Despite their hectic schedule and stress in their academic concerns, they make sure that they get to train and run every day. Ace said that even if some of their classes end up late, they still run and train after school. Lucky noted that it takes a lot of sacrifices and huge effort in time management having been engaged in both school and sports, but they are willing to do much more than enough to achieve their dreams and goals.

“We need to train every day because every day is a chance to be better,” Ace said.

The brothers dream of competing in the national competition and the Olympics someday. They firmly believe that dedication to their craft and hard work will make them realize that vision.

Ace will be competing in athletics for this year's national SCUAA to be held at Bicol University.

NLPSC also won a handful of awards in other events. John Diether Soliven, a second-year BS Criminology student, hailed as the 2^nd Runner-Up in the Mr. and Miss SCUAA-I 2020. Jennivie Lopez, a BSBA student, received the Miss Congeniality award on the same event.

Marife Gatmen, a BS Criminology student, grabbed the 2^nd Place in the Discus Throw event and 3^rd Place in the Javelin Throw, where Jerica Bantilan, a BS Criminology student, landed 2^nd place. The NLPSC men baseball team won the 3^rd place. And, the NLPSC men athletics team was the overall 2^nd runner up.

Congratulations!