SEA Games gold medalist Kaizen dela Serna opened up about how she forged a strong relationship with PBA hopeful Dalph Panopio.
Love stories in sports don’t always start with the flash of a spotlight.
For SEA Games obstacle course racing multi-medalist Kaizen dela Serna and PBA rookie hopeful Dalph Panopio, it began in a place athletes unfortunately know all too well: rehab.
“We actually met last year around November,” recalled Kaizen.
“I have the same strength and conditioning coach as him and that’s how we met because he was injured and he had to do rehab. I was also injured. I had to do rehab as well. We met in the Philippines,” she added.
Two athletes, both healing. What could have been a low point for both instead became the spark of something new.
By March this year, the two officially became a couple. What sparked between them wasn’t glamour or instant attraction, but a shared grind: conversations about setbacks and recoveries.
“I would say it [connection] was really good because we got to connect since we’re both athletes. When we met, we were talking about our injuries and how we were able to recover from that,” Kaizen said.
“It was really good because we were together throughout the process of getting better and it’s really nice to see both of us really support each other because I watch his games and he also watches my competitions.”
However, that support would soon be tested by distance.
Last February, Dalph had to fly out and play in India, while Kaizen stayed in the Philippines for her own training commitments.
“There was a time last February where we had to go a long distance because he played in India and I wasn’t able to go because I had conditioning and training here,” she said.
“What I did was support him from the Philippines and I was just able to watch his games,” Kaizen added.
“It was challenging at first, but it’s okay because as long as we both understand each other, we have our own time apart also because I know he’s training and I’m also training, so it’s really tough.”
This “tough” test only made their connection more meaningful. When Kaizen competed in Europe last April, Dalph tagged along and watched her from the sidelines.
“Actually, I went to Europe to compete and I was super happy that Dalph went with me and supported me,” Kaizen said.
“He came to watch all of my competitions, he was really supportive and I love that about him.”
Support, after all, is what defines their relationship. Kaizen speaks with pride and admiration whenever she talks about Dalph—not just an athlete, but as a son.
[Related: Tears of gratitude: Dalph Panopio opens up on ‘utang na loob’ to his parents ahead of PBA Draft]
“It’s super touching to me kasi he loves his family so much, he would do anything for his family and he’d really make sacrifices for his family to be happy, it just amazes me how much he loves them,” she said.
Dalph is taking his shot at the PBA, making himself available for the Season 50 Draft.
Kaizen, no stranger to chasing dreams herself, is right there with him. No pressures, no expectations.
“We talked about this. We don’t have expectations because he’s just really happy to be here to be able to show the world that he can play basketball, so we don’t really have a certain team we're eyeing for,” she said.
“We’re just very excited to whichever team decides to get him. I will support him whenever.”
They met when they were broken, but together they found strength. Now, as Kaizen dela Serna and Dalph Panopio chase their dreams, they live out an inspiring love story.