FAVORITES TO WIN. The Blue Shuttlers embark on a quest for a two-peat with an intact core. Photo by Karen F. De La Fuente

THE BLUE and Lady Shuttlers solidified their position in the upper echelon of collegiate badminton by finishing first and second respectively in Season 74. With minimal roster turnover and invaluable experience from last year’s campaign, both teams are favorites to be contenders for their respective crowns once more.

Fortifying their walls

With majority of last season’s rotation returning for the Blue and Lady Shuttlers, Ateneo Badminton boasts teams to watch out for this Season 75. A strong roster, however, does not guarantee any team success. Thus, Coach Kennie Asuncion and her troops have been employing a rigorous training regimen in preparation for another title run.

The Shuttlers have been keeping busy fine-tuning their game four times a week during two-hour practice sessions at the Moro Lorenzo badminton courts. In addition to the countless hours involved, the team also practices with a special set of sparring partners from Indonesia to help them iron out the creases in their game.

Aside training regularly in school, majority of the team’s members engage in Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBARS) tournaments during the offseason to further hone their skills.

Court generals

Back for another tour of duty as team captains are Toby Gadi and Lisa Encarnacion. These two captains will be spearheading the Shuttlers’ Season 75 campaign for their respective squads.

Gadi, the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) of UAAP men’s badminton and 2012 Moro Lorenzo Sportsman of the Year, will once again be counted on to be the solid foundation for the Blue Shuttlers as they try to remain champions in the men’s division.

Already entering the fourth season of his UAAP career, Gadi has been able to remain undefeated in his singles matches. Asked about this incredible feat, Gadi admitted, “It’s hard not to think of it with a lot of people pointing it out. As much as possible, I try to put aside things that could provide additional pressure.”

Gadi went on to assure that he was more focused on the goals of the team and that any individual accolades would just be a bonus.

Encarnacion will also be donning the Blue and White for the fourth time as a graduate student taking up a five-year double degree program at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. She will once again take on the responsibilities of leading her team in another quest for a title.

With these two proven and capable skippers at the helm, the Blue and Lady Shuttlers have a definite advantage going for them.

Defending the crown

After coming up short the past couple of seasons, the Blue Shuttlers triumphed last year to finally secure their first title since Season 66. With the title in the bag once more, the boys seek to go back-to-back.

The defending champions have most of their championship roster intact for another run. Three out of the four core players from last season will be returning. Brothers Pawee and Justin Natividad will once again join Gadi to form a formidable front. These three were instrumental in capturing the crown for the men’s team last season.

The boys in blue, however, will be missing the all around hustle and energy that graduate Paolo Sunga is known for. Mico Mallillin will enter as the lone rookie this year, while returning players Raphael Alonzo, Arlo Madrid, JC Carlos and Angelo Buena will be counted upon to aid in the team effort for another title. With reigning MVP Gadi at the helm, supported by a strong cast, the Blue Shuttlers are poised to becoming two-peat champions.

However, no team will just surrender the title to the Blue Shuttlers. Teams from National University (NU) and De La Salle University are out to stop Ateneo.

Last year’s runner-up NU will again be a heavy contender, with much of its roster also intact. Archrival La Salle is also looking formidable with strong recruitment and a year of experience under the belt of its young team. Both teams will definitely provide a worthy test as they try to dethrone Coach Asuncion’s squad.

Back for more

The Lady Shuttlers are coming off of a campaign that saw them record a 180-degree turnaround. After lingering at the bottom of the standings in the past few years, the ladies finished the elimination round with a 6-1 record that was good enough to tie La Salle and Far Eastern University (FEU) atop the standings.

The Lady Shuttlers seek to take the next step this season after coming up one match short of the grand prize against University of the East (UE) in last year’s finals. “We came so close last year and it hurt like hell not to win it,” confessed Team Captain Encarnacion, who is determined more than ever to bring home a title.

The PBARS Open Women’s Doubles top-ranked duo of Gelita Castilo and Dia Magno will watch out for Encarnacion’s back. Both players are coming off of magnificent rookie stints, which saw Castilo secure the Rookie of the Year award. Additionally, Castilo and Magno also gained invaluable experience by participating in the 2011 South East Asian Games in Indonesia.

The Lady Shuttlers, however, will no longer have the services of veteran Carla Lizardo, who graduated in March. Nevertheless, they will still be fielding a very experienced team, with seniors Mikee Roxas and Chelsa Say, along with juniors Jaimee Calacday and Paula Filart, returning. Prized recruit Jana De Vera, who has shown glimpses of her great potential in training, will round up the lineup for the Lady Shuttlers.

One advantage for the ladies this year will be the absence of MVP Fatima Cruz for the defending champion UE. La Salle and FEU, however, remain major obstacles in the ladies’ path towards a finals appearance for Season 75.

The Blue and Lady Shuttlers will seek to translate favorable forecasts into prized trophies, as they engage the rest of the competition in a battle for badminton supremacy in tournaments to be held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall.