DLSU Lady Shuttlers ready to defend crown

By John Daniel Salonga (DLSU Correspondent)

Manila, Philippines - With a championship to defend for the women’s division, and a challenge to reclaim for the men’s division title, the De La Salle Green and Lady Shuttlers are determined to step up to expectations for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 73 Badminton tournament.

The Green and Lady Shuttlers Head Coach Owen Lopez will be joining the squad once again for the eighth straight year. A former player himself, he expects that this season, both Taft-based squad teams will be once again a top target, given the strong showing of both team since 2004.

The Green-and-White Squad

The defending champions, Lady Shuttlers, are determined to do a back-to-back championship; a feat the team did in 2004 and 2005.

Lopez feels fortunate that his championship team is still intact, led by Season 72 Most Valuable Player fourth year Descka Calimlim. Also returning for the squad are Rachel Guerrero, Franze Arsenio, Angelica Ramos, Jamie Valle, and Season 72 Rookie of the Year Danica Bolos. Adding to their tough team are Flo Lamigo and Danica San Ignacio.

Meanwhile, the Green Shuttlers are gritty to grab their second championship title for the past 14 years. Leading the squad are seasoned veterans Team Captain Bryan Chan and Rodel Dawal. Adding to this determined team are Kevin Ponciano, Nikko and Ivan Angsico and Rookies JC Clarito, Ronel Estanislao and Jose Martinez.

According to Lopez, his rookies are exposed enough to compete for the season as those rookies joined various competitions beforehand, such as Palarong Pambansa.

Preparations

With their season about to start, the team feels mixed emotions of joy and jitters. Lopez noted that they were able to train well and hard, despite fewer intercollegiate competitions held in the past few months. He also said that they focused and concentrated on practicing both singles and doubles event, a change from their previous seasons.

On the other hand, believes that all players playing for the league are good enough to compete, thus poses a threat. However, only attitude and accuracy will be a difference, and sets his squad apart. Lopez named all universities, especially Far Eastern University, to be a threat to their team. He cites that the composure of all teams joining are of the same.

Asked for what his team’s strength, Lopez stated that it was not only his present team that strengthens their team, but also their alumni showing support. “Hindi lang ‘yung team ngayon [pati nga] ‘yung mga alumni, willing [sila] ibigay ang weekends for the team (It is not only our current team, but our alumni showing support and allotting their weekends for the team),” he said.

Despite lacking of having external competitions to join, the team took time also for their growth as a team through teambuildings. Lopez said that despite the sport being inclined to be an individual or dual sport, winning a match should always be a group effort. “Dapat buo ang laro na bibinibigay ng bawat player dahil nararamdaman ng buong team ang panalo (Each player should give a 100% effort because the entire team feels the victory attained),” Lopez affirmed.

New challenges

This season 73, a new set of rules, regulations and format are introduced. In contrast with an open-air court setting in the previous seasons, it will now be held on an air-conditioned court, which will be a new factor to be taken into consideration by all teams.

Another format introduced is the same format of eliminations being used in the Basketball and Volleyball divisions, with all teams competing for the top four slots to qualify for the semi-final round. Additionally, the top two teams will hold a twice-to-beat advantage.

With such changes, the Green-and-white squad takes a one-at-a-game approach, with reaching the first seed at the end of the eliminations, before they think of championship.

It’s everyone’s fight

“Lalaban kami, hindi lang kami (current team), [kundi] buong team talaga (We are going to fight, not just the current team but the entire team who was once Green and Lady Shuttler),” declared Lopez. He also reminds his players that despite hardwork and determination to bring victory for the team and for the school, never forget to enjoy what they are doing.

Nevertheless, Lopez and his squad are now conditioned and ready to bring home another victory for DLSU, which seeks its first General Championship title.

The battle for the supremacy through shuttlecocks will begin this weekend, August 21, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Courts, Manila.

The Lady Shuttlers will first face Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, and National University on Sunday, while the Green Shuttlers will confront NU on Saturday and University of the East on Sunday.