Table Tennis
THE BLUE and Lady Netters may have had opposite fates last University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season–with the former finishing fourth and the latter placing second–but this year both squads have undergone what Men’s Team Captain Ayo Canlas (II BS ME) describes as “metamorphosis.”
“It’s a whole new tennis team [this year],” he said.
Gone were the bad training schedule and training program that Canlas pointed out to be major detriments to the men’s team’s performance in Season 70. Bannered by a new coach in former national player Jennifer Saret, an improved training schedule and an actual comprehensive training program throughout the year, the Ateneo Netters are indeed geared up for an improved showing this season.
“We all believe we have a chance this year,” Canlas attested.
Yet aside from these improvements, Lady Netters Team Captain Michelle Pang (III BS CTM) pointed out that for the Netters to win this season, “each team member [has] to step up their game. The team has to really fight for it, and show a lot of heart.”
Both captains admitted that though the team has improved by miles, the other UAAP schools have gotten better as well.
“La Salle has the number one men’s player in the country right now [while] UST has the deepest bench in the league,” said Canlas.
“The competition is even tougher [this year] compared to last year,” Pang added.
In spite of these challenges, the team remains undaunted. “[We] sincerely believe we can pull off an upset,” said Canlas.
“We all have to want this and we all have to work twice, if not thrice as hard as the other teams [in order to win it all this year].”
Baseball
“LAST YEAR was bad. We didn’t reach our expectations and we underachieved,” said Blue Batter Team Captain Nikko Dizer (MBA) about their 1-9 record in Season 70 of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP). After that forgettable performance, hopes are high for the Ateneo Blue Batters to bring the glory and pride back to the Blue & White come January.
“Everyone’s really sacrificing for the team. We’re pushing ourselves hard and giving extra time and extra-extra effort.” Dizer said. For him, they are much better than last year and that the team is continuously developing. “We want to perform to the level in which we all know we can perform.”
Assistant Coach Randy De Leon noted that preparations for the upcoming season have been running smoothly. “We had conditioning and weights for the first three months, and then we went back to the basics and started from there. It’s really been a process.” he said. The team now trains five times a week for about two to three hours a day.
“We’re not that strong but we’re a fighting team,” Coach De Leon emphasized as he denotes his faith for the Batters’ upcoming season. He said that coaches are there to merely guide these players. Once the players step foot in the diamond, it’s all really up to them.
To further prepare and boost the confidence of the Batters, the team is planning to set scrimmages with different schools like De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, and University of the Philippines before the year ends. “Come UAAP season, we expect to get wins. We’re really going to be fighting.” said Dizer. For the team, finishing in the top four this year is their top priority.
Track and Field
THE ATENEO Track and Field team enters the upcoming University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season not only with the drive to come out better, but also to break barriers and surpass their limits as well.
The men’s team, comprised of 25 members, finished third last year, falling short by 3.5 points behind powerhouses Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas. The women’s team was not as fortunate, as they finished last due to key injuries and other personnel concerns.
The men’s team is coping with the loss of last year’s captain, Alvin Reyes (AB Eco ’08), but according to Captain Bryan Sutingco (IV BS Bio-A), there is no reason to worry. “The whole team collectively stepped up this year,” he said. The team rallies around key players, such as star thrower Nic Hey (III AB Eu), hurdler Michael Mendoza (III BS Bio-A), and sprinters in Sutingco and Nigerian Itunu Kuku (III AB DS). “The strategy for this year is to consistently top in throws and hurdles, while contributing points in other events such as sprints and jumps,” Sutingco said. “May chance kami mag-champion this year (We have a chance to win the championship this year),” he said.
The women’s team is currently undermanned, with only eight players to field in. Captain Karla Lim (IV BS Mgt) sees this as a problem, but could be overcome in other ways. “I believe we are stronger, and we have better focus and determination this year,” she said.
Despite being unable to recruit players from the provinces unlike other schools, both teams are out to prove themselves this year. “We don’t just want a better standing. We want to become outstanding players as well,” Lim said.
