Throughout her childhood, Joana Chen’s family would often visit mainland China. As she watched broadcasts of professional table tennis tournaments in her hotel’s television, a passion for the sport was ignited in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Women’s Table Tennis Rookie of the Year (ROTY).
“I remember myself being excited to get back to our hotel to watch [table tennis] competitions aired on TV.”
It was these moments that sparked her interest to begin playing table tennis at the age of 10. Chen went on to represent St. Stephen’s High School where she collected various accomplishments including a singles championship medal and the Most Valuable Player award in the 16th Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation Inter-School Table Tennis Championship in 2015.
However, upon being granted the opportunity to live out her UAAP dream by representing the Ateneo, Chen encountered her fair share of insecurities and struggles. While Chen was no stranger to the doubles playing format, Chen had to adjust to the style of play of her doubles partners prior to the start of the season, having been paired with veteran Trina Cruz twice during the course of the tourney.
Donning the Blue and White for the first time in the UAAP, Chen faced a different breed of competition while carrying a heavier burden of pressure and expectation.
In her debut singles match against the University of the Philippine’s (UP) Celine Ching, Chen’s jitters got the better of her as she conceded crucial service errors.
“I remember myself crying afterwards,” she recalls. “It’s been years since I last cried after a competition.”
After losing against UP, the Lady Eagles held a meeting where each player expressed her thoughts and points of improvement. “I remember crying again in front of the team, saying that I won’t stop training until I get my service right,” she said.
Upon their return to Blue Eagle Gym, Chen resumed service practice until midnight and devoted 30 minutes daily to practice her serve and toss. Her efforts had an instant impact as the rookie sealed the team’s first team-tie victory of the season with an 11-4, 4-11, 12-10, 11-8 win against Adamson’s Ronalyn Ricafort which marked the highlight of Chen’s rookie season.
“It was completely surreal,” she says.
En route to becoming the Season 80 ROTY, Chen also persevered through challenges beyond the table. Adjusting to the academic requirements was inevitably difficult as juggling training schedules and full days of competition made it an even steeper climb.
After overcoming all her first year growing pains, Chen expresses her gratitude for those who guided her along the way and who provided the emotional support she needed to get past the struggles she faced.
“I don’t think I would’ve survived UAAP without my teammates and my coaches,” she says.
Despite an ROTY accolade and an improved record for the lady paddlers, Chen is humbled after her first season donning the Blue and White. Heading into the future, Chen hopes to cultivate the right mindset and develop her confidence in the hopes of more success.
