REIGNING FROM next door neighbors Miriam College, the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 79 Women’s Badminton Rookie of the Year, Chanelle Lunod, has had a flying start to her Ateneo lady shuttlers career.
The lady shuttler started playing badminton at a very young age, admitting that her initial interest stemmed from her parents. “Ever since I was little, I would watch my parents play. Hooked as they were, they enrolled me in a training camp. From the moment I first held my racket, I fell in love with the sport,” narrates Lunod.
Lunod continued to excel as she found success in both grade school and high school competitive levels, managing to claim a spot in the National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) team that won gold in two consecutive team-ties in the Palarong Pambansa in 2015 and 2016. Lunod was also awarded individual honors including a gold in individual mixed doubles and a silver in individual doubles, both for two consecutive years.
On the subject of making the transition from a high school competitive level to a college competitive level, Lunod pointed out that a main difference that one had to adapt to was the crowd, further stating that the crowd could influence any player’s game.
The Lady Eagle was keen to emphasize the role that her teammates and coaches have had on her ability to quickly make the transition to from representing Miriam College during her high school competitive career to achieving her longstanding dream of donning the famed Blue and White for Ateneo and competing in the UAAP.
Lunod expressed gratitude for all her teammates, placing emphasis on the relationship she has established with her team captain, Bianca Carlos, on and off the court. “[Bianca] is always there to help me with anything, even school work or academic work,” Lunod mentions.
The lady shuttler has also pointed out the inspirational roles Coaches Kennie and Kennevic Asuncion have played in her first season as a Lady Eagle, making mention of the coaches’ approachability and guidance at all stages of the season.
Lunod, the team’s only freshman recruit, went straight into a pivotal role for the Lady Eagles, forming a dominant partnership with lady shuttlers Team Captain Bianca Carlos as the standout doubles pairing for the team. The rookie of the year performed superbly in a number of matches over the course of the season including a superb showing against University of the Philippines that almost saw Ateneo clinch the title after a three-year wait.
With Lunod putting in a number of fine performances over the course of the season, the lady shuttler was deservedly awarded the Rookie of the Year title, which coincidentally was last brought home to Ateneo by Carlos in her Rookie season. The rookie shuttler looks eager to make her own mark in the upcoming seasons, ready to scale any challenges, and overturn any difficulties.
