Elma’s son chases own destiny

George Michael Posadas Jr. (center) with parents Elma and Jojo —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

George Michael Posadas Jr., whose parents are pillars in Philippine athletics, snagged an athletic scholarship from Campbellsville University in Kentucky—for its volleyball program.

The 18-year-old Posadas left for the United States on Friday morning to pursue a career in business management major in marketing.

But while he excelled for Brent University in many sports including track and field, Posadas is going to be carrying the Tigers’ maroon and gray colors mainly as a lefty spiker in its vaunted men’s team.

“My family has always inspired me to enter in sports but they never forced me to take up just track and field,” said Posadas, the son of 15-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champion Elma Muros-Posadas and national team coach Jojo Posadas.

Muros-Posadas, known for her versatility after winning SEA Game golds in long jump, hurdles, sprints and heptathlon, said she encouraged her son to find his own “true calling.”

“He has won gold medals in high school in sprints, 100-meter, 200 m, 400 m and every relays,” the legendary trackster said. “But he also excelled in swimming, tennis and badminton.”

The younger Posadas said: “This is a new adventure for me, I’m very excited for this new phase in my life. It’s an opportunity to study as well further my career as an athlete.”

He is following the footsteps of sister Klarizze, who also excelled as an athlete in school. She then pursued her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in New York City where she is now working.

Jojo said his son got the scholarship also because of his high grades when he graduated senior high school.

A longtime national team mentor, Jojo said he’s not discounting the possibility of his son joining the Philippine team someday.

“He has this desire to represent his country just like his mom did for many years,” said Jojo of his wife, who donned the national colors starting when the Magdiwang, Romblon, native was 14 years old. “But he’s taking another path.”

And the younger Posadas is ready to light that path ablaze.