Young and unfazed. Despite being a relatively rookie team, the Blue and Lady Netters look forward to pushing each other forward together this UAAP Season. Photo by Kitkat S. Lastimosa

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, international experience, the Philippines’ flag carrier in the Federal Cup, bronze medalist in the previous Southeast Asian Games, and former top ranked tennis player in the country—a player with these credentials is golden to any team. Michelle Pang was just that: a valuable asset to the Lady Netters, bringing with her vast experience and leadership.

However, Pang, along with a handful of seniors—most notably Ayo Canlas, last year’s hard-hitting captain of the Blue Netters— graduated last March, leaving behind a core of young players.

Signs of maturity

Despite the loss of several veterans, the team remains unfazed with a young lineup, as hitting the courts this year is an abundance of freshmen and sophomores. Regardless of the team’s youth, though, the Blue and Lady Netters convey an optimistic aura of confidence.

Rookie Gio Bilog says, “A new team with new faces is always tough, but finding the point where we’re able to make each other better by pushing each other is key.”

Loyalties remain

Though last year’s tennis contingent have long left their reigns, the fresh graduates still find the time to train with the team, helping them find the competitive edge that the team has been bringing to the UAAP.

“Having them there to help us train makes it easier to adjust and grow as players and as a team,” Bilog says of the influence the former veterans bring. As a rookie, he notes that having such mentors has definitely lifted the morale of the young team.

The results have proven to be positive; the netters have been making vast strides in developing their team chemistry.  “The team’s standard is different now, since we lost

veterans. However, that won’t hinder us from working hard and doing our best to win our future matches,” says sophomore Joanne Opulencia.

Living up to last year

With the men’s team finishing third and the women’s team grabbing a second place finish last season, the Blue and Lady Netters face the challenge of equaling or improving last season’s success in the upcoming UAAP tennis tournament.

To meet expectations, players endured tough conditioning and training routines. “Not much has changed except that we got new players who have potential,” says the baseline threat and seasoned veteran Mark Trinos. “Our team can bring unexpected firepower to the court this year, and we should not be underestimated.”

“We already paired the potential doubles players and singles players and we’ve been working on our individual games,” Trinos continues.

With the experience gained from the recently concluded Unigames, the Blue and Lady Netters seek a solid run in the upcoming Philippine Columbian Association Tennis Open, which would further prepare the team for the UAAP.

Winning mentality

Leading the Blue and Lady Netters are remaining veterans Mark Balce and Ivy de Castro. A hopeful podium finish is expected for the women’s team, while the men’s team aims to bring their maximum effort. Bilog says, “We are an underdog team but we definitely won’t go down without a fight.”

“The team might be weaker from last year but we definitely have bigger hearts,” Trinos asserts.