Seventeen years is long enough.
The UST Lady Shuttlers are determined to end a 17-year podium drought in UAAP Season 88, beginning a new chapter under head coach Pat Barredo while keeping their veteran core intact.
For Barredo, the focus this year has been on raising the team’s standards, implementing a more intense and advanced training system to sharpen their skills and competitiveness.
“Bago ‘yong program namin, more intense, tapos more advanced,” she told the Varsitarian. “Ten times na mas (intense) ngayon, at na-adapt naman din nila agad.”
“I expect to win bronze this year. Ayon ‘yong target, ayon ‘yong goal namin. To end the podium drought na talaga. Kasi ang tagal na natin, puro tayo fourth.”
The Lady Shuttlers tested their revamped system in two preseason tournaments — reaching the Round of 16 in singles and Round of 32 in doubles at the Frederick Go Cup, before earning bronze in the 2025 Philippine Intercollegiate Badminton Championship.
“Actually, kaya ginawa ko lang na dalawa ‘yong sa preseason tournaments, para mas gutom sila sa panalo — hungry sila to win sa UAAP,” she said. “Dadalhin namin ‘yong gutom na ‘yon hanggang sa UAAP.”
A former national team standout from 2008 to 2015, Barredo brings her elite experience and competitive mindset to a veteran lineup featuring Jen Saladaga, Rhaffi Santos, Christine Dorrega, and Maye Alvarez.
“Siyempre ako, as former national player, syempre kailangan ko sila masabayan at maturuan. Gusto ko mai-angat ‘yong level nila,” she said.
“Pero kung puso lang din naman ‘yong labanan, papalag talaga kami.”
The Lady Shuttlers will open their UAAP Season 88 campaign against the NU Lady Bulldogs on Oct. 11 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall.
