Cesafi finals: A test of character for Southwestern U rookie spiker

Jude Michael Amper shows his leaping ability in this bit of action of the Cesafi men’s volleyball tournament.

If only he can have his way, Jude Michael Amper, the high-leaping spiker of the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras, wants to be home to be with his ailing mother.

But as much as he wants to rush home, Amper has to stay put as he is raring to help the Cobras in their best-of-three championship series against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in the Cesafi men’s volleyball tournament.

The title duel will start on Saturday at the University of San Carlos Main Gym.

The 20-year-old rookie from Bohol learned that his mother was hospitalized last week due to hernia infection.

A hernia infection is a symptom which includes pain and discomfort in the affected area especially when bending over, coughing, or a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen.

While his thoughts are with his mother, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration student is trying his best to stay focused on the task at hand.

“I won’t leave the team just yet. This week is going to be our last push,” he said.

As part of the starting unit, Amper, the eldest of three children, has been an integral part of coach Dave Arreza’s well-oiled offense.

At five-foot-six, Amper isn’t just one of the ordinary volleyball players as he is known for his tremendous leaping ability, an arsenal that he used to his advantage against bigger defenders.

Amper said he once tested his leaping ability last month by handily jumping over a five-foot-four person.

Amper’s biggest game by far this season came in their semifinal round loss to the same USJ-R squad last weekend where he exploded for nine points in the second set alone to help his team extend the game into a fifth and deciding set.

Amper admits feeling the pressure playing in his first Cesafi finals but this won’t slow him down.

“Performing when there’s pressure is what is expected of me,” he said. “As a rookie, the pressure is great. It is big responsibility for me to help a team defend a crown since I am first-timer in the finals. But this will test my endurance, it will test how dedicated I am in my passion and how far can I go to achieve my dreams,” Amper said.