Photo by Marco Nieto

By AJ Alarcon

Ateneo Senior High School’s (ASHS) Alessandro Marco Nieto delivered a solid showing at the Palarong Pambansa 2025, held from May 24 to 31 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, landing fourth in the secondary boys’ shot put event with a 13.22-meter mark.

Brushing the podium, Nieto trailed the bronze medalist from Western Visayas, who registered a 13.51-meter put.

This national-level run marked a strong first and final Palaro campaign for the Junior Eagle, who first claimed double gold in shot put and discus at the Quezon City Division Meet held in December 2024.

With a slot in the National Capital Region (NCR) Palaro, held on March 12 at the PhilSports Arena, the shot putter proudly sported the Ateneo name with a gold in shot put and bronze in discus, securing his debut appearance at the Palarong Pambansa. 

“I knew I had to do well,” Nieto stated, recognizing the electrifying and high-pressure atmosphere of this year’s national meet. 

Opening with a foul, he shared, “When I threw that second time, and it went in and it was far, it felt like… it took [the world] off my shoulders.”

“All that pressure, all that momentum, all that nervousness I was feeling in the moment, and in the moments leading up — it was all gone in like an instant,” he added. 

The successful throw kept him steady and in contention for a podium finish.

The Weight of a Shot

After spending most of his athletic years on the football field, Nieto admitted he “felt alone” 

in the throwing circle — more so in a national arena.

“It really put a big weight of pressure on my shoulders,” he said. “I felt every hour of each day leading up to the event,” he added.

Representing his school, region, and family all at once brought intense pressure. But instead of breaking him, the weight became a push to make the most of his final shot. And in his corner, there were people who believed in him — his family, his teachers, the Ateneo community, and his coach. 

Coach Arniel Ferrera assured him, “You have nothing to lose.” Despite not being physically present on game day, Coach Arniel reminded him that a single well-executed shot is all he needed to make it, helping him keep his “nerves intact.”

But when the weight of a shot dawned on him, it was his father who stood by the sidelines. 

“He assured me that, no matter what I get, no matter how I do — no matter how much, how badly, or how well I perform — he is still proud of me,” the young athlete shared. “The fact that I’m there with him, after working so hard, is good enough for him,” he continued.

Unfortunately, having reached the age limit, Nieto is not eligible to return for the next edition of Palaro next year, making this Palaro run his first and final shot. And he took that single shot — for himself, for his family, and for the blue and white.