DETERMINATION to defend their UAAP crown will be the main weapon of the talented yet inexperienced UST Shuttlecockers this UAAP season.
“The good news is, my players are up to the challenge no matter how hard it would be,” head coach Noli Cajefe told the Varsitarian. “I always remind them to really give their best and to fight it all out because we could not give up the crown that easy.”
UST’s youthful lineup will be put to the test with the loss of Ricky Belmonte, Reynaldo Selga, and Ryan Conde, who were vital cogs in UAAP Season 68, and national team member Alfredo Mailon. They had played out their UAAP years.
The defending champions will be led by junior player Paolo Dawal, a gold medalist in the singles division of the National Student Age Group Badminton Championships and in the doubles division of the UAAP last year.
“I can already feel the pressure this early, but I promise to exert all my efforts together with my teammates,” Dawal said.
Rookies Kevin Dalisay and Emmanuel Garcia are also expected to give offensive firepower for the España-based players. The promising duo copped the gold medal in the National Student Age Group Badminton Championships and placed second in the JVC Badminton Open (men’s doubles) last year.
On the distaff side, Cajefe said he expects the Female Shuttlecockers settling for third this season.
Like their male counterparts, the women’s team also lost the services of key players Kathleen Añasco, Lyka Leonor, and Charize Balo, who had played out their UAAP years.
The women’s team will pin their hopes on two holdovers from Season 68: Rookie of the Year Rose Anne Dela Cruz and Jem Vicencio.
Last year, Business Administration junior Dela Cruz gave UST’s lone victory over arch-rival De La Salle University. Psychology sophomore Vicencio, on the other hand, displayed her prowess when she won the singles division title in the National Student Age Group Badminton Championships last June.
Prized rookie Rochanie Decatoria is also expected to shine for UST this season. She had won the bronze in the singles division of the 2006 JVC Badminton Open (elite division).
With his team facing a long and winding road to glory, Cajefe said his players’ winning attitude, more than their playing years, would make the difference. “Aside from their skills, my players have the fighting spirit and passion in their craft that will surely take (UST) to greater heights,” Cajefe said.
