Multi-titled Cebuana jin Garces to join NU squad in UAAP

Cebuana taekwondo star Nica Garces will be joining the National University (NU) Bulldogs this upcoming season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) after a successful stint with the University of Cebu.

Many schools from the UAAP and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tried to recruit the 2016 Palarong Pambansa gold medalist but it was only the Bulldogs’ varsity program offer that caught the interest of the 16-year old Garces, who is entering her senior high school year.

“There were a lot of offers but I really like NU because of the coach,” Garces told Cebu Daily News, referring to coach Jeff Figueroa.
Figueroa once trained Garces in the Philippine National Pool.

Under the mentoring of renowned UC coach Michael Realista, Garces made a name for herself as the next Cebuana taekwondo sensation after consistently winning in various regional and international competitions.

Philippine Taekwondo Association Region 7 Director Tony Del Prado couldn’t be more proud of the young jin.

“It’s not about losing Nica, but it is about opening new and bigger opportunities for her,” he said.

However, Del Prado said that the UAAP Board has yet to decide if their senior high school students are eligible to play in the college division or if they will still be playing in the secondary division.

“Regardless of their (UAAP Board) decision, she (Garces) is very capable of winning in the college division.”

Nica’s big brother, Eric Jr., is also a taekwondo varsity at Far Eastern University (FEU).