GNC names UAAP players as brand ambassadors

MANILA, Philippines - Total Nutrition Corp., the exclusive franchisee of General Nutrition Centers (GNC Live Well) in the Philippines, recently named La Salle’s Jed Bryan Manguera and Ateneo’s Juan Miguel Tiongson as its athletic brand ambassadors in the UAAP.

Manguera, 22, is trying to make a comeback after a two-year absence while Tiongson is a former mainstay of the Ateneo Blue Eaglets who is being billed as the next top Eagle playmaker.

He said that as players, they are at risk for instant and relentless ready-to-burn carbo-loading together with the constant demand for rehydration and electrolyte replacement, a nutritional tightrope walk that can have harmful long-term effects.

“I watch what I eat. A healthy diet is very important, in a sport where you can’t be too fat or too thin but maxed up in terms of speed, stamina and reflexes,” he said.

Like Manguera, Tiongson is very conscious of his health status not just as a function of his love for sports but as role model for aspiring young athletes.

“Usually after class, I go straight to the gym to lift weights and do my core exercises. Then I do some of my cardio exercises. Right after cardio, we start our ball practice,” said Tiongson, adding, â€œI exercise and do weights training with my teammates. This not only helps me keep fit but I also get to spend time with friends. Exercise becomes fun and enjoyable, and that makes it easier to maintain in terms of leveling up and continuity.”