07/06/2026
๐ฆ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐ฆ | ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ผ๐นโ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐
Success is not achieved overnight. Behind every championship title lies a story of sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering determination. For Precious Khatleen Awa, 17 years old, hailing from San Juan, Iriga City, billiards was more than just a sportโit became a journey that transformed her life and led her to make history.
The rhythmic sound of billiard balls and the quiet intensity of competition were never part of Preciousโs original plans. Growing up, her interest in this sport did not exceed to pursue it as a competitive sport. As a student, her primary focus was on her studies and everyday school activities. What began as a simple hobby gradually developed into passion, with every shot she practiced and every tournament she entered, the billiard table gradually became the stage where she would carve her name into Bicolano sports history.
Precious Khatleen first discovered her passion for billiards while studying at Rinconada National Technical Vocational School (RNTVS). What initially started as an interest soon evolved into a serious commitment. Drawn by the challenge and precision the sport demanded, she devoted countless hours to learning the game and refining her skills.
As the years passed, she established her name as one of Iriga Cityโs most promising young athletes. She consistently dominated local competitions, earning gold medals in the Iriga City Association of Private Schools (ICAPS) and City Meet tournaments. Each victory strengthened her confidence and proved that her talent was matched by her discipline and determination.
However, success did not come without challenges. Like many student-athletes, the โLady Foxโ as they call her โ faced the difficult task of balancing academics and sports. While many of her classmates focused solely on their studies, she had to manage demanding training schedules alongside classroom responsibilities, assignments, and examinations.
There were days when exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her. Long hours of practice often left little time for rest, while the pressure to excel both academically and athletically tested her resilience. Yet instead of allowing these challenges to discourage her, Awa embraced them as opportunities for growth.
Through these experiences, she learned valuable lessons about time management, self-discipline, and perseveranceโqualities that would later become essential to her success on the national stage.
Her rise to the top was not immediate. At the 2024 Palarong Pambansa, Precious came within reach of her ultimate goal but settled for a silver medal finish. While standing on the podium was already a remarkable achievement, she knew she was capable of more. Rather than viewing the result as a disappointment, she saw it as motivation to push herself further.
That silver medal became a turning point in her career. Determined to improve, Precious returned to training with renewed focus and greater hunger for success. Every practice session became an opportunity to sharpen her skills, correct her mistakes, and prepare for another chance to represent Iriga City and the Bicol Region.
Now an incoming Grade 12 student of the University of Saint Anthony (USANT), Precious proudly represented Iriga City and the Bicol Region in the 66th Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur. There, she achieved what no Bicolano billiards player had accomplished beforeโcapturing the gold medal in the Secondary Girls' 8-Ball and 9-Ball Billiards event and becoming Bicolโs first-ever billiards gold medalist in the countryโs most prestigious school sports competition. Her hard work eventually paid off. Precious displayed remarkable composure, accuracy, and confidence throughout the competition. Match after match, she outplayed some of the countryโs most talented young billiards players, demonstrating the maturity and skill of a seasoned competitor.
The victory was more than a personal triumph. It was a milestone for Iriga City and the entire Bicol Region. Her achievement brought pride to her community and highlighted the immense potential of Bicolano athletes, even in sports that often receive less recognition and support.
More importantly, her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes who dream of achieving success despite the obstacles they face. From her humble beginnings at RNTVS to her rise as a national champion representing the University of Saint Anthony, the Lady Foxโs journey reflects the power of persistence, patience, and hard work.
Today, her name is forever etched in Bicol sports history. Yet beyond the medals and accolades, perhaps her greatest accomplishment is the example she sets for the next generation. Her story reminds us that success is not measured solely by victories but by the courage to keep striving after every setback and the determination to continue chasing oneโs dreams.
by The Sentinel/Ang Kalatas | Ayessa Xianelle Carlos
Layout | Pauleen Valeras
