LA UNION PRIDE

January 15, 2022 Community Billboard

Fulfilling her passion in sports, MJ Navalta of Luna, La Union begins her journey in tennis. The 18-year old Navalta will see action in the forthcoming tennis tourney – Clash of the Titans to be held at Colegio San Agustin Stadium –Bulacan.
“I am excited to play against the best tennis players across the country,” said Navalta, who drew inspiration from her supportive parents, brothers, sisters and the tennis community in Barangay Alcala (Luna -La Union).
The amiable Navalta, said she’s dedicating her tennis saga to the youth of their town, friends and supporters, and her tennis family, who taught her the fundamentals of the sports during early childhood.
She vowed to give her best owing also the support demonstrated by the officials, members as well as the community of Luna Tennis Club, and Monsignor Alfonso Lacsamana.
Navalta revealed that Monsignor Lacsamana, actually was the one who encouraged her to follow her dream of playing tennis.
Lacsamana, who aside giving spiritual advices, the clergyman regularly been providing her (Navalta) sports equipment.
At times, together with Navalta’s parents, Lacsamana ,they goe out on their way to seek “financial help” to make sure their daughter Navalta
could compete outside their province to further develop her tennis skills.
Actually, this writer had a chance to interview the young Navalta during a break while covering last year’s Ayala National Open (Track &Field), hosted by the City of Baguio, the country’s Summer Capital.
Navalta, was also on her break at (Angelitas Store) during her training at the Baguio Tennis Club.
In fact, the young tennis player was introduced to me by Ariel Abella, a PE teacher of Baguio City National High School (BCHNS), who happened to be her trainer during that time.
MJ is the niece of Nancy (Navalta),who in the early1990s gave fame and honor to the Province of La Union, with her running abilities.
In fact this writer covered Nancy during the 1993 Palarong Pambansa (Ilagan, Isabela). She (Nancy) became the fastest athlete in that meet when she ruled both the 100m and 200m runs, respectively, outclassing seasoned runners from perennial overall champion NCR, and other regions.
Nancy, also from Luna, daughter of a peanut farmer, traced her training as “pebble picker” along the coast of their town.
Indeed, MJ also traced her roots in the realm of sports with the humbling dedication of the Navalta family.
Like other struggling but talented Filipino athletes, the young Navalta, is a product of public school–Luna Central School and Luna National High School.
MJ’s tennis saga begun when she captured a gold in the secondary district sports meet in La Union.
With her dedication, commitment in the sports, and sacrifices of her parents, MJ’s sports skills was tested anew when she represented her
beloved province in the Ilocos Regional Athletic Association (IRAA) and in the 2017 Palarong Pambansa (Antique).
MJ’s sports path continued. She also participated in an international tennis meet (Wilson Age Group) ,and played against battle-tested and varsity players from UAAP and NCAA. MJ’s dream is to be a successful flight attendant, she’s hoping and praying her passion in sports go high too.
“We are always here to support our daughter MJ, all we ask from her is to balance her studies with her passion in playing tennis,” said Jacqueline Navalta, MJ’smother.
Primo Agatep/ABN