UAAP 77 Courtside Reporter Profile: Kristelle Batchelor (University of Santo Tomas)

By Josiah Albelda Posted Jul 6th 2014

Armed with a year of experience and seasoning, Kristelle Ann Batchelor is raring to roar for University of Santo Tomas in Season 77.

One of only two returning courtside reporters, Batchelor will "suit up" once more for the Growling Tigers, excited to stamp her mark and make an impression for the Espana crew.

"For the first year, you're just learning the ropes," she said. "In your second year, you are able to do better."

Handling criticisms

Facing the camera in front of millions of television and online viewers is a daunting task for just about everyone and for someone making her debut in Season 76, mistakes are bound to happen every now and then.

"I've learned about myself last year," Batchelor shared. "At first, iniiyakan ko talaga (yung criticisms), but I learned how to deal with it naman. It comes with the work talaga."

"They just fed my passion to do better," she added. "It doesn't matter how many people don't believe in you. Basta masaya ka sa ginagawa mo, it is worth it."

Doors opened

Her stint as a courtside reporter has done wonders not only for her self-esteem, it has also opened numerous opportunities for her budding hosting career.

"A lot of doors opened for me both inside and outside the university," she said. "I got to host events, including one with an NBA star. I got to contribute to magazines."

Now a Lifestyle editor for The Varsitarian, Batchelor still loves writing as much as she has embraced reporting.

"I actually applied to be an associate editor," she said, noting that her adviser assigned her to a section instead because of the heavy workload that comes with being a courtside reporter.

"I think if I did it last year, I will be able to do it this year."

Still fresh

Almost a year after UST lost to De La Salle University in the championship round, memory of the bitter defeat is still fresh in Batchelor's mind.

"Actually, I spent nights na wide awake na naiisip ko siya," she shared. "Every time I see guestings ng La Salle, parang I could've imagined na UST yun."

But like any other Growling Tigers fan, Batchelor believes that a return to the championship round could be in store for UST.

"Hindi naman imposibleng mangyari yun," she added. "Looking at the lineup, we still have a formidable team. Renzo Subido is promising. Louie Vigil is returning. And veterans like Karim (Abdul), Aljon (Mariano) and Kevin (Ferrer) are really devoted."