Heartbreaking setbacks
The Ateneo Blue Shuttlers buckled after their first game against Far Eastern University (FEU) last February 14, managing to win only two sets out of five.
“We were really aiming high [since] we expected it already, and I’m sure other teams saw that too,” said Raphael Sanchez (II BS CTM), newly christened in the RP team along with fellow Shuttler Roy Callanta (IV AB IS).
Attributing their improvement to deeper line-ups and team coordination, the men’s team had high hopes of finishing top rank this season.
The men’s team deprived National University (NU) of a win, sweeping all five sets with expert play, followed by their 4-1 victory against Adamson University.
Sanchez said that the games were unpredictable, due to the influx of new rookies and the number of veteran players who graduated.
Streak ended
However, the team’s winning streak ended with successive 2-3 losses against University of Santo Tomas, De La Salle University, University of the East, and University of the Philippines.
Callanta attributed their losses to the team’s inconsistency and a lack of focus under pressure. Having to lead a relatively young team, with only two mainstay seniors and the rest of the lineup comprised of mostly sophomores and rookies, was also a factor.
“Every loss that we had was a heartbreak,” said rookie Paolo Sunga (I BS LfSci).
“The morale of the team having a lot of 2-3 defeats was a factor [to our losses]. We couldn’t finish. We know we came close and it was just a matter of extra effort for us.”
No silver lining
The Lady Shuttlers garnered their lone team victory of the season on February 27 against NU in a 4-1 finish. However, the team had to endure loss after loss with each passing weekend.
For the women’s team, what was supposed to be a year of redemption almost turned into a nightmare.
The team endured a huge setback when young phenom Karyn “Chibby” Velez (I AB Psy) left the country last January to pursue a badminton training program in Malaysia, the details of which were undisclosed by the team.
Nonetheless, the team exceeded expectations and came out with improved play that was lacking last year. “When Chibby left, it was an awakening for us. We all had to step up and train harder,” said veteran shuttler Camille Bautista (III AB Comm).
Bautista added that despite what the scores were showing, the team was improving.
She credited the level of play of rookies Carla Lizardo (I AB Comm) and Monica Yupangco (I BS LfSci) showed in spite of the team’s overall struggles. The two, having played on a national level since high school, are seasoned veterans in their own rights.
Adjustment period
Though the men’s team has managed to hone their level of play from last year, there are still a lot of tracks to cover on their way to top ranks next season. The remaining Blue Shuttlers plan to train harder this summer, armed with a clearer understanding of their weaknesses as a team.
“We all learn something from the experience,” said Sanchez. “We all know that next season, it’ll be different. We’ll be stronger.”
Though there is definite promise for the team next year, this women’s team is still shorthanded and is on the lookout for fresh talent. The team is expected to adjust as the badminton tournament moves to the first semester with a new playoff format to be introduced in Season 72.
