THE UST Tiger Shuttlers are determined to clinch a podium spot in the upcoming UAAP Season 86 men’s badminton tournament as they aim to break what has become a losing tradition, with their last top-three finish being a decade ago in Season 76.
The team’s championship dry spell stretches further, as their most recent title was secured 13 years ago in Season 73.
But UST head coach Charlie Medina is optimistic that the team’s drought will end soon.
“I’m feeling quite optimistic about the upcoming season,” she said. “I believe we have a great team and each player has been putting in the hard work.”
To prepare for this season, Medina said the Tiger Shuttlers joined in more pre-season tournaments in preparation for the UAAP.
In the Philippine Badminton Association’s national rankings released on Oct. 17, four Tiger Shuttlers achieved top 10 placements after the team competed in several off-season tournaments from February to July.
Lady Shuttler Patricia de Leon ranked third in the women’s singles division.
UST’s duo of Janzen Panisales and Ron Galve placed ninth in the men’s doubles division. Galve and Lady Shuttler Rhafi Santos secured 10th place in the mixed doubles division.
On Aug. 28, UST reaped five medals in the C-ONE Badminton Challenge 6.0 at the C-ONE Sports Center in Cagayan De Oro City.
However, UST fell short in the 2nd Smart Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Tournament held from Sept. 7 to Sept. 9 after losing to University of the Philippines.
“I expect that this season they will perform more than what they performed last year,” Medina said. “I focused more on their speed and power and exposure by joining in open tournaments.”
The Tiger Shuttlers placed fourth and fifth in Season 85 in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.
They will kickstart their UAAP Season 86 badminton tournaments on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Cubao, Quezon City. J.L.E. Quinto with reports from Ernest Martin G. Tuazon
