Head Coach Kennie Asuncion’s 2013 recruitment class includes two of the most highly-touted Shuttlers in the country: Bianca Carlos and Trixie Malibiran.

Bianca Carlos

PHOTO BY ISABELLA L. YATCO

MOST ATHLETES proclaim their love of the game above everything else. For Bianca Carlos, the game of badminton goes beyond just passion. To her, it is her ultimate life-changer.

When it comes to Carlos’ motivations for playing badminton, the interdisciplinary studies freshman singles out her family. “I was motivated before because there was a cash prize whenever you won. When dad lost his job, we needed the money. It really helped us out. Now I even have a scholarship in Ateneo,” shares the prized recruit in a mix of English and Filipino.

Carlos’ love for the sport began at the age of seven when her aunt and cousins invited her to play. Immediately after her first game, she asked her mom to enroll her in badminton classes. This is how she met her first trainer, former national team player Wilson Frias.

At the age of nine, Carlos transferred to the Asuncion Badminton Center (ABC), where her badminton career truly blossomed. She was mentored by owner Nelson Asuncion and his daughter Kennie Asuncion, the current head coach of the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers.

With her rigorous training and dedication at ABC, Carlos was soon participating in several tournaments, one of which was the Yonex-Sunrise Philippines National Open Badminton Championships 2009. In this event, Carlos pulled off an unbelievable stint, sweeping the 16-Under Singles, Doubles and Open categories, making her the youngest recorded female athlete to achieve the feat.

However, the following year, Carlos competed in a Philippine Badminton Ranking System tournament and was defeated by former University Athletic Association of the Philippines Rookie of the Year (ROY), Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Lady Shuttler Gelita Castilo. The loss almost made Carlos quit playing. Fortunately, Carlos’ mother tirelessly encouraged her not to give up.

Aside from that devastating loss, there were other personal hurdles in Carlos’ badminton career. She had a difficult time balancing her academics and training in high school. This eventually led to her parents letting her take the Paulinian Alternative Learning program, St. Paul Pasig’s home schooling option.

Despite these obstacles, Carlos continued to thrive in the sport. When she turned 16 last year, she duplicated her 2009 Yonex-Sunrise act, this time doing it in the 19-Under Singles, Doubles and Open categories. What made this accomplishment sweeter the second time around, however, was her victory over perennial opponent Castilo.

Carlos hasn’t just been making her mark in the local scene. As a member of the national team, she’s also participated in international tournaments like the Axiata Cup 2013 in Indonesia and the Sudirman Cup 2013 in Malaysia.

As she enters the college scene, Carlos is determined to continue her success at the next level. Coach Kennie Asuncion’s newest player is looking forward to helping the Lady Shuttlers successfully defend the crown, as well as take home the ROY and MVP awards. With the way Carlos has excelled at every level of the sport, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her turn in a well-decorated debut season at the end of Season 76.

Trixie Malibiran

PHOTO BY ISABELLA L. YATCO

CHOOSING WHICH team to play for in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) may be one of the most challenging tasks for a top varsity player. But with the recruitment of Lady Shuttlers Head Coach Kennie Asuncion and the quality of education being offered by the Ateneo, deciding to play for the Blue and White was not at all a tough choice for Trixie Malibiran.

Though she originally favored gymnastics and soccer over other sports, Malibiran’s father had pushed by her to try her hand at badminton. After training at different badminton centers, Malibiran’s initial enjoyment of the sport turned into a strong competitive drive.

Malibiran began her active involvement in badminton tournaments at the age of 10. After two years, she transferred to Asuncion Badminton Center, which is owned by her current coach’s father, Nelson Asuncion. There she rubbed shoulders with a number of UAAP badminton athletes who inspired her to join their ranks.

Aside from her loyalty to Asuncion, another factor that encouraged Malibiran to don the Ateneo’s colors is her program of study. The interdisciplinary studies freshman shares, “I love teaching children, especially those who need special attention, so I was glad that my program allowed me to take up both psychology and education as special tracks.”

With regard to her playing style, what distinguishes Malibiran from other players is her determination and fighting spirit. “Coach Kennie tells me that whenever she sees me compete, she sees a fighter that makes her confident that, win or lose, her player gave the competition her all and fought to the very end,” says the 2012 Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player.

While she has mastered the different skill sets needed to prevail in various tournaments, Malibiran admits that she has yet to master her patience inside the court. “All other skills—the smash, drive and drop—can be mastered through continuous practice and guidance from your coach, but patience is a skill you need to learn yourself through self-discipline.”

Malibiran is currently ranked number two in the Under-19 Singles division of the MVP Sports Foundation-Philippine Badminton Ranking System. She also ranked number one in the Doubles division alongside partner and fellow Lady Shuttler rookie Bianca Carlos.

Expectations are high for Malibiran and her fellow rookie teammates; the past two UAAP women’s badminton Rookie of the Year (ROY) winners, Gelita Castilo and Jana De Vera, also come from the Lady Shuttlers’ roster. Despite the pressure to continue the ROY trend for the Ateneo, Malibiran chooses to focus on her team’s aspirations to defend the crown rather than individual goals.

With a special skill set and the proper team mindset, Malibiran is ready to contribute to the Lady Shuttlers’ Season 76 championship chase.