Myca Aribado: The time for squash is now

Squash is considered one of the fastest and healthiest sports out there!

It’s also one of the sports that I truly believe our country should focus on because it’s a sport that Filipinos can excel in internationally. Squash puts a premium on skills and talent, without the distinct advantage of height.

Through the efforts of the Philippine Squash Academy (PSA) headed by Bobby Bachman, the sport has made a lot of progress.

At the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore last year, the Philippines brought home three bronze medals from the men’s team, men’s jumbo doubles, and women’s singles. It was actually the first-ever women’s medal for the Philippines at the SEA Games.

Last month, Team RP finished 10th at the Asian Team Squash Championships in Taipei, finishing well above expectations.

Then early this month, Jemyca “Myca” Aribado won the title at the 3rd Menpora Kijono Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia.  Aribado defeated Malaysia’s Teh Min Ern in four sets, for the country’s very first championship for a female squash player in the history of the sport.

The 22-year-old, who chose squash because of the influence of her father, who ironically is a tennis trainer in a local club, is relishing the challenge of the sport and looks to bringing more recognition for the country in the near future!

PHILIPPINE STAR: Talk about the experience of not just representing your country but winning our first international title.

JEMYCA ARIBADO: It feels great!  To win and make your country proud at the same time is simply amazing and surprising.  I’m proud of myself and my achievements.

What’s a typical day for you, training-wise?

We train six hours per day, six times a week.  Our training consists of conditioning, such as a one-hour long distance run, one-hour strengthening after court training or one-hour weights at the gym, two-hour squash drills (three to four types of drills), one-hour pressure drills, and one-hour practice shot drills.
I focus and do my best to improve on my weaknesses. I challenge myself by training with our Men’s National athletes, it’s helped me improve my game.

Has your win inspired you for bigger achievements in the near future? What’s your ultimate goal or target in the sport?

Yes, I would like to get as much international exposure and experience in preparation for the 2017 SEA Games.  I hope to make it to the top 10 of the PSA World Tour.

Would you encourage young kids to choose squash as their sport?

Yes, of course, because it’s the world’s healthiest sport.  The game involves subtlety, deception, and strategy that is absolutely relevant to young people, which is good training for later in life.

Would you accept the challenge of being the “hero” that squash is looking for, to push the sport to greater heights?

I can only promise to do my best during training and competitions, and if my behavior, winnings, and success in squash will influence and encourage young Filipinos to take up the sport and generate enough awareness to build public squash courts, then I will certainly embrace and accept the recognition as PH Squash’s “Hero.”  By the time the youth of today reaches their game prime, I’m almost certain squash will already be an Olympic sport.  The time for squash is now.

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