Dr. Fille Claudine Cainglet considered a bigger cause when she chartered the field of medicine before pursuing back her love for basketball.
Cainglet, the first-ever pick in the Women’s National Basketball League Draft, bared one of the reasons why she chose sports science at the University of the Philippines and used it as a springboard in becoming a doctor.
When the WNBL kicks off, it's like hitting two birds with one stone for the former UP star. Should an emergency occur, Cainglet can be your resident doctor.
"Hindi ko inexpect na makakapag-pro league ako kaya ako nag-sports med kasi gusto ko maka-give back sa mga athletes na na-injury (I didn't expect playing in the pro league before, that's why I wanted to pursue sports medicine because I wanted to give back to athletes should they get injured)," Cainglet recalled over Radyo Pilipinas 2.
Read: WNBL a ‘giant step’ for PH sports, says No. 1 pick Cainglet
"Sulit nga e, actually passion ko din siya. 'Pag may nai-injure na athlete, parang feeling ko nakaka-relate ako sa sentiments nila and gusto ko sila ma-reassure na makakabalik sila (It's all worth it. Actually, it's also my passion. If an athlete gets injured, I feel like I can relate to them and I can understand their sentiments. I want to reassure them that they can return and play again)."
Despite her tight schedule as a medical student before and now a fourth-year orthopedic surgery resident at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, the love for the game never left Cainglet's heart.
In fact, the 32-year-old Cainglet joined different inter-med school leagues, where they competed against other medical schools. To no surprise, Cainglet helped University of East Ramon Magsaysay win four straight titles.
The last time she saw action in competitive basketball though was from an invitational league by UP in 2017 against other UAAP schools.
Prior to med school, Cainglet, the sister of former Ateneo volleyball star Fille Cainglet-Cayetano, suited up for UP from 2006 to 2010.
Despite more than three years of hiatus from the game, Cainglet is excited to start anew and get back in shape along with the Glutagence Glow Boosters.
"Pressure is part of it. I guess it's a challenge for me to live up to the expectations. Extra hard work na lang, extra work for me siguro since marami ding magagaling na na-draft (I'll put extra hard work since there are many talented players who got drafter as well)."