Colegio de San Juan de Letran swimmer Avia Zunic has one wish as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) returns this season:
She just wants her mom to be able to watch her race.
"I need my mom to be there. She just has to be there, because if she's not there, it will break my heart," said Zunic in Chino Trinidad's "24 Oras" report on Friday.
Zunic's mother, Lei, is an Overseas Filipino Worker.
The Macao-born, Cavite-raised backstroke specialist, who also has Croatian and Italian lineages, praised her mom for what she had gone through.
"She is the most resilient person that I know. I idolize her," she said.
Zunic is more than just a swimmer with a pretty face. She is also an aspiring medicine student who is taking up a bachelor's degree in psychology.
For her, the key in facing life's challenges is having a strong foundation as a person, which includes taking care of one's mental health.
"They think when you're an athlete, you only prioritize your physical health, which is not true because I believe physical health and mental health are equal," she said.
And with the enhanced community quarantine imposed in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Zunic takes on the mindset of a swimmer to survive the challenges that come with the lockdown.
"You must think for yourself that, 'Ok, one last lap. I know wala ka nang ibubuga, pagod ka na, pero push.' [I know you have nothing left to give, you're tired, but you have to push through.] You have to do it," she said.
The NCAA plans to start its 96th season in mid-June, featuring virtual tournaments on taekwondo and chess. The league also plans to hold skills challenges for basketball and volleyball.
Watch the NCAA on different platforms of GMA Network.
—Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA News
