Angel Lynn Docabo of San Beda University is the Most Valuable Athlete in the women’s division of NCAA Season 99 swimming competition.

The native of Tagbilaran City, Bohol is also named Record Breaker for breaking two records, Most Bemedaled Athlete with five gold and two silver medals, and Most Outstanding Swimmer with 189 points.

San Beda emerged as the champion team.

In an interview with GMA Regional TV News, Docabo said she almost gave up swimming when she felt she was not improving in the competitions she joined after the COVID-19 pandemic break.

She started having doubts and fears to the point that she considered stopping.

“I wanted to improve myself more but after the pandemic, ikapila nako niapil og competitions, wala gihapon ni-improve, to the point nga nag-doubt ko, naa nakoy fears… murag, I think I should stop. There is that time, rock bottom ko, na I think I wanna stop na, bahala na ni… di nako… mura’g dili nani akong forte,” she said.

But fate intervened.

Right before NCAA, she joined the grand prix championships that restored her faith in herself. She established a personal record that proved she is made for swimming.

She then told herself, “I’ll turn my self-doubts to self-beliefs,” and that she would come back stronger.

“Before December, I trained so hard… mao ni ang resulta karon,” she says after being named MVA.

From getting interested in swimming at the age of three until a coach pushed her to join competitions, Docabo has certainly made a name for herself in the world of competitive swimming.

“Everything was worth it,” she said.