THE UST Tiger and Lady Shuttlers are focused on enhancing their team cohesion as they strive to end their over decade-long podium drought in UAAP Season 87.
Last season, the UST badminton squads struggled to fully demonstrate how they “play as a team” due to early setbacks in singles matches, according to head coach Charlie Media. Both teams finished in fourth place.
“Team event kasi kami. ‘Yong sa mga preseason namin, individual events sila. Ngayon kasi team kaya kailangan nilang magsabay-sabay mag-perform,” Medina told the Varsitarian.
With the assistance of a project-based coach, Medina stated that she has enhanced the team’s fundamental skills, particularly focusing on strengthening the singles representatives. She said the doubles players have shown significant improvement, especially during their preseason tournaments.
“Nag-focus ako lalo sa singles kasi as you can see, do’n sa development na sinasabi ko na ‘yong doubles player natin lagi nagpopo-podium,” she said. “So kung sa one and two singles kami nahihirapan, natatalo agad, nahihirapan na mag-perform ‘yong mga nagdo-doubles.”
“‘Yong singles, they need to work hard to get a point para mas ganahan itong mga dobolista na magagaling. So, need natin ng singlelista talaga na ma-develop para makakuha ng points sa taas sa UAAP kasi limang game ‘yan,” Medina added.
Medina noted that the team’s chemistry has improved over the offseason, attributing this to team-building training following their C-One Badminton Challenge 7.0 tournament in August in Cagayan de Oro, where the Tiger and Lady Shuttlers earned three medals. For the coach, chemistry will be essential this season.
“‘Yan pala ‘yong isang talagang development namin. Nagkaroon kami ng team buildings, mas maraming team bondings. Plus, nakilala namin ‘yong isa’t isa… kung paano kami magtrabaho, kung paano kami as a tao,” she said.
The Tiger Shuttlers will compete without key players Sean de la Cruz, Kyle Basilio and Jad Dizon, who graduated last year. In Season 87, they will depend on the veteran leadership of team captains Lennox Cuillao, John Panizales and Ron Galve.
“‘Yong sa losses, I think kaya naman din umangat, na matapatan din ‘yong skills no’ng mga nawala,” Medina said.
Meanwhile, the Lady Shuttlers will count on Season 86 top rookie Patricia de Leon, who is ranked No. 5 in the country, along with veterans Jennifer Saladaga and Rhafi Santos.
UST last placed in the top three in the men’s division 11 years ago in Season 76, with their most recent championship occurring 14 years ago in Season 73. In the women’s division, the Lady Shuttlers last made the podium in Season 71 and clinched their most recent title in Season 70.
As the Tiger and Lady Shuttlers aim to break the dry spell, Medina emphasized that the team needs to prepare for the challenges they may face during Season 87.
“Mag-perform sila kahit meron kaming mga challenges na pinagdadaanan sa team, kasi we are not perfect,” she said. “But ‘yong motivation nila sa sarili nila, sa pagmamahal nila sa UST, ma-overcome namin, ma-translate namin sa goal na makapag-podium finish this season 87.”
The UST Tiger Shuttlers will face the UP Men’s Badminton Team on Saturday, Oct.12, at 8 a.m. at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton, while the UST Lady Shuttlers will face the NU Lady Bulldogs on the same date and venue at 1 p.m. V. P. Pagaduan VII
