Off the volleyball court, La Salle’s Noel Kampton experienced a lot of changes as he now plays the role of husband and father heading into UAAP Season 87.
Expect a different Noel Kampton as he suits up for his final year with the DLSU Green Spikers — that is, he’ll be more calm and collected especially when it comes to his naysayers.
Among the most expressive and spitfire players in the UAAP, Kampton has recently learned how to center himself both on and off the court, and the changes have all been thanks to developments in his personal life.
During the offseason, Kampton went through a lot of personal changes — most notably marrying his wife and being a father to a baby boy.
Now with different priorities, the super senior is approaching his last run in the UAAP with a different mindset.
While his family will also be taking his time away from volleyball, Kampton said that he’s drawing strength from his wife and child, which pushes him more to do well as a student-athlete.
“Yung [changes na nangyari ay yung] marriage life ko, and being a father to a handsome boy. Being a husband to my beloved beautiful wife. Sobrang laking changes sakin kasi yung priorities ko dati, sarili ko lang, ngayon, sobrang priority ko na yung wife ko at saka yung baby ko. Pero nakakadagdag motivation rin siya sakin,” Kampton told One Sports during the UAAP Content Day.
“Kahit pagod ako sa training, iniisip ko na lang sila na kailangan ko mag-perform ng maayos para may extra income. Alam mo yun? Kasi itong volleyball, bread and butter ko na talaga to eh. So nakakatulong ako sa family namin,” he added.
More importantly, the changes for Kampton come with how he deals with outside distractions during the season.
With conversations swirling about him on social media during the season, Kampton said that he’s also learned to be more level-headed, especially as his family can also become involved if he isn’t careful.
At the end of the day, Kampton wants to be able to make the most of his final year in La Salle and at the same time, he wants to ensure the safety of his family and his mental health.
“Siguro yung pagiging palasagot ko sa social media [yung magbabago]. Like yung sumasagot ako sa mga nangb-bash sakin. Pumapatol ako. Pero ngayon, wag na lang kasi pag once na gumaganyan pa ko, madadamay pa yung family ko,” he said.
“Kasi masakit din para sakin yun. Kumbaga, ibash na nila ako, wag lang yung family ko. Tinuturuan ako ng wife ko na just be calm, and wag sumagot sagot. That’s it. Enjoy life na lang.”