DLSU baseball and national team star, Lord Aragorn de Vera, is on a mission to prove that Pinoy players are world-class.
In the realm of Philippine baseball, one name echoes with the resonance of both myth and marvel: Lord Aragorn de Vera.
Interestingly, Aragorn got his unique name from his parents, who are avid movie enthusiasts and fans of the “Lord of the Rings” franchise. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy, Aragorn is a central character — the heir to the throne of Gondor and a skilled warrior. While the fictional Aragorn was also known by the alias ‘Strider’, our baseball prodigy doesn’t share this particular nickname.
He is more commonly referred to as ‘Agon’ by his teammates and was born into a family of athletes in the baseball-rich city of Tanauan. As befitting his name, his journey to becoming one of the Philippines’ most promising baseball talents reads like a script from a sports drama.
As the starting shortstop for the Philippine National Baseball Team, de Vera has played a crucial role in elevating the country’s international standing, contributing to their rise to the 28th spot in the World Baseball Softball Confederation rankings.
His talents have also shone brightly at the collegiate level, where he has been a key player for the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Batters, leading the team to a championship in UAAP Season 85 and a silver finish in Season 86.
Agon’s exceptional skills in the diamond, particularly his standout showing in the 2022 Asian Games, have also caught the attention of international scouts, making him a pivotal figure in the potential growth of Philippine baseball on the global stage.
A diamond since birth
Agon’s rise to baseball stardom began in the most Filipino way — through family.
“Nung bata ako nag-start magbaseball dahil sa family, sa side ng mom ko. Softball player sila dati,” he reminisces. “And mayroon kaming friend na coach from Tanauan City. Siya yung nagturo talaga sa akin na magbaseball nung time na ‘yan.”
From those early days of playing catch in Tanauan, known for its baseball prowess, de Vera’s talent quickly became apparent. His natural affinity for the shortstop position was evident from the start.
“Shortstop ako dahil doon ako mas inclined. And parang doon ako pinaka nag-excel sa pwesto na ‘yan,” he explains. “And then ‘yun, tuloy-tuloy na hanggang college, hanggang national team.”
But his path wasn’t always clear-cut. Like many Filipino youth, he also dabbled in basketball. However, his father, a former basketball player himself, saw a different future for his son.
“Since yung dad ko is a basketball player, tinuturuan din niya ako magbasketball. Pero hindi ako sobrang nag-focus doon,” Agon shares. “Sabi niya sa akin, ‘Mag-focus ka na lang sa baseball, siguro dito mas may chance tayo na makapag-compete sa higher level.’”
That decision paid off in spades. By the time Agon reached 8th grade, his talent was impossible to ignore. During an Asia-Pacific baseball tournament in Clark, he caught the eye of a La Salle baseball coach.
This serendipitous encounter would shape his future, leading him to choose DLSU for college, a decision influenced not just by the school’s prestigious program, but also because its coaches were involved with the national team.
In the big leagues
At just 18 years old, Agon made his debut for the Philippine National Baseball Team in 2022, becoming the youngest player on the squad, a distinction he still holds today.
His international career began with a bang at the 2022 East Asia Cup in Thailand, which was his first tournament representing the Philippines.
Following his impressive debut, Agon also competed in the 2023 Asian Baseball Championship held at the Taipei Dome and was the primary shortstop at the 2023 Asian Games in China where he handled 16 chances error-free and tied for third in the tourney with four double plays turned.
Now, as a key player for both La Salle and the Philippine national team, Agon finds himself in a position to mentor younger players. He takes this role seriously, embodying the values instilled in him.
“Inapply ko lang sa game ko yung tinuro sa amin dati ng mga seniors na yung brotherhood ng La Salle. ‘Yun talaga yung pinaka-importante, yung winning culture,” he says with pride.
This national team experience has not only honed his skills but also boosted his confidence, which he brings to his UAAP games. The exposure to other baseball athletes on the international scene has changed his perspective on collegiate play, making him a more formidable competitor in the UAAP.
“Malaking tulong sa akin na makapaglaro kasama mga ibang international players dahil nakakuha ako sa kanila ng mga tips kung paano maglaro especially sa position ko,” he shares. “Sa kanila rin ako natuto and nadadala ko ‘yan sa UAAP.”
But Agon can’t do it all alone.
Despite reaching the Finals last UAAP Season 86 with a chance to clinch a three-peat, the DLSU Green Batters were cut short in a nail-biting loss against the NU Bulldogs.
However, the Tanauan native is determined to turn this setback into fuel for future success.
Their quest for a third consecutive title was derailed last season, in part due to a rash of injuries that plagued the team leading up to their Finals series. Agon recognizes that a shift in training priorities is necessary to prevent a similar fate this year.
“Kailangan namin mag-focus more on strength and conditioning. Kesa kasi last season more on baseball stuff kami. Pero ngayong season kailangan mag-start kami ng mas maaga sa strength and conditioning,” he shares.
As one of the team’s veteran players, he also recognizes his role in mentoring the squad’s newcomers. The transition from high school to collegiate baseball can be challenging, and de Vera is committed to easing that process for his younger teammates.
Agon’s leadership extends beyond just setting an example on the field as he also plans to take an active role in preparing the team’s fresh recruits for the unique pressures and expectations of UAAP baseball.
“I-guide yung mga mas bata sa amin,” he states. “Kasi iba ang environment dito sa UAAP compared nung naglalaro pa lang sa high school.”
“Pinakaimportante is yung attitude mo. Yung kagustuhan natin matuto, yung willingness natin na talagang everyday ‘pag magpa-practice ka, kailangan may matutunan ka. Hindi lang yung pupunta ka sa practice para lang sabihin na nag-practice ka,” he elaborates.
This philosophy of continuous learning and incremental improvement is what sets apart the good players from the great ones.
Agon encourages young players to approach each practice with intention, not just going through the motions but actively seeking to learn and grow, even if it’s just by 1% each day.
The mental game
Baseball is notoriously unforgiving. Nine times out of ten, players must strive for perfection both physically and mentally to succeed. It’s a sport where the margin for error is razor-thin, and the pressure can be overwhelming.
Yet, Aragorn de Vera seems to thrive in these conditions, armed with a mindset that turns potential stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
When asked about his mental preparation for crucial games, his response is a masterclass in self-assurance. “Iniisip ko lang na yung mga crucial games, iniisip ko lang na lahat ng pinagtrainingan ko na ‘I’m ready for this situation’. Wala dapat akong ipangamba na baka hindi ko itong magawa. Kasi nag-training naman ako para dito,” he explains.
This unwavering confidence in his preparation is the cornerstone of Agon’s mental toughness. It’s a mindset that not only bolsters his own performance but also uplifts his teammates.
“Lagi ko rin sinasabi sa mga teammates ko na walang reason para ma-pressure tayo, lalo sa mga games especially yung mga crucial games. Kasi ito yung pinapractice natin,” he shares.
Reach for the skies
As he enters the twilight of his college career, Aragorn de Vera stands at the cusp of greatness. With his regal name and his commoner’s work ethic, he embodies the spirit of Philippine baseball — proud, resilient, and ever-aspiring.
In fact, he has recently received a historic invitation to work out with the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB).
This marks a significant milestone as the first time a Filipino player born and developed in the Philippines has been invited for an MLB workout.
While no homegrown Filipino has yet been signed by an MLB team, it’s worth noting that two players born in the Philippines, Bobby Chouinard and Claudio Manela, have previously played in the league.
However, this invitation represents a potential breakthrough for baseball talent developed within the Philippines, as previous Filipino-born MLB players were likely raised and trained elsewhere.
When asked about it, Agon shares, “Dream ko talaga makapaglaro sa MLB. Pero syempre hindi naman tayo lahat mabibigyan ng ganong chance. Kaya I will try my hardest to showcase yung skills ko sa kanila and mabigyan pa ng ibang opportunities to play at that level.”
Nonetheless, as Agon steps up to the plate, bat in hand and dreams in heart, one thing is certain: the future of Philippine baseball looks brighter than ever.
With every swing, every pitch, and every play, he’s not just chasing personal glory, he’s paving the way for a new era of Philippine baseball.
Banner image from UAAP Media Bureau. Special thanks to Dayne Aduna.
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