ALL ROOKIES entering the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) aspire for the prestigious status of instant success. It is a feat that everyone dreams of, but only a few can achieve. With a Rookie of the Year award and a championship in his bag, Ateneo Men’s Badminton Team (AMBT) freshman Lance Vargas has quickly cemented his presence in the collegiate badminton ranks.

In triumph and defeat, Lance’s dominant debut stint in the UAAP is a culmination of the persevering path he took to become one of the best players in the country. Such a journey has allowed him to significantly contribute to the Blue Eagles’ championship success.

Mastering the footwork

Lance first set foot on the court at the ripe age of three. Inspired by his badminton-loving parents, he quickly knew that the elegant intensity of the sport was right for him. “Ever since I held a racket, I just had a certain connection to it,” the talented shuttler shared.

Despite his heart being solely dedicated to the sport, Lance admittedly said that his path to growth was filled with hardships, especially in the early stages of his career. Sharing his inability to earn the respect of his teammates during the early years of his high school career, the young Bacoleño was forced to depend on himself during training.

Such an adversity eventually motivated Lance to train harder than the rest of his peers. “What made a difference was my mindset going into every training [session]. Every [practice], I had a goal… I gave more than 100 percent [in] every training, and I just kept going until I was able to shine,” he noted.

The young shuttler attributes his family as his main source of support, as they have inspired him to greatly develop as a player. With his family as his primary driving force for excellence and a more focused mentality, he gradually managed to shatter any ceiling placed on him. The fruits of the shuttler’s labor soon brought him to a level only one can dream of.

From Bacolod to the world

Lance’s growth from local prospect to national athlete was a gradual process that required patience. Before the international tournaments and collegiate honors, he first had to make a name for himself in his city of Bacolod. As an alumnus of the Trinity Christian School, Vargas competed in numerous tournaments in the region. After winning gold in local competitions such as the Iloilo Badminton Tournament, the prospect decided to go up north and test his skills in Metro Manila.

Eventually, Lance’s ventures in the capital region earned him national recognition. As he started to win gold in age group tournaments within the Metro such as the Philippine Badminton Rockies Cup, the Bacoleño started to realize his potential as an elite player.

With  Vargas’s promising reputation rapidly growing across the country, nods from the Philippine Badminton National Team did not intimidate the young prospect, as he quickly accepted an invitation to become a member of the prestigious roster. Moreover, the young Bacoleño immediately made a mark on the national team, representing the country in multiple international competitions.

“It’s a dream to compete and actually go to other countries. It has been a different experience. It’s the same mindset over and over again—just keep going and have a goal every training. It’s been rewarding for me,” he shared.

Through Lance’s never-ending desire to compete against the best, his stints in the international scene have allowed him to earn a global ranking of #837 in the Men’s Singles Category in the Badminton World Federation System. Locally, his semi-final finish in the 2023 Philippine Badminton Open formally placed him at the rank of number three in the country.

Despite his top ranking among the country’s elite players, Lance remains hungry for his spot on the ladder. Such drive can be seen in his goals for the upcoming 2024 Philippine Badminton Open. “I want to not only maintain [my ranking], but I would like to actually be number one. If I can be champion, it will be possible for me to be number one in the Philippines,” he shared.

In his being and becoming as a Blue Eagle, Lance believes that his position as a member of the national team helped him gain an advantage in the UAAP. Given his opportunity to train with the best that the country has to offer, the young Blue Shuttler learned the value of diligence and perseverance to succeed at this stage of his career.

Dynasty killer

Entering the Season 86 Men’s Badminton Tournament, Lance had one goal in mind: to significantly help the Blue Eagles reach the pinnacle of collegiate sports.

Facing elite talents from top schools such as the University of the Philippines (UP) and National University (NU), the incoming rookie was presented with a tough challenge right from the outset of the competition. Ultimately, Lance’s determination allowed him to excel throughout the season.

Right from the outset of his rookie season, the young prospect delivered for the Blue Eagles, especially during the team’s marquee matchups. Lance’s major presence in the tournament contributed to an eventual finals appearance for Ateneo, setting off to face then-defending champions NU.

Ultimately, it was Lance’s singles bout against then-number-two-ranked Mark Velasco that brought gold to Katipunan. The rookie’s undeniable determination to win allowed the Blue Eagles to finally earn their much-coveted championship.

Although the first-place finish was always the goal for Lance, he also earned an undisputed Rookie of the Year award to cap off his debut season.

Protecting the hill

After earning a career-defining championship, a Rookie of the Year award, and a deeply respected status in the UAAP all in his premiere season, the sky is the limit for the young Blue Eagle. With all the accolades he has earned at such an early stage in his collegiate career, Lance optimistically sees himself as a definite key player for the team down the line. Moreover, he claims that four more championships is the end goal he aims to achieve.

Such a lofty personal goal would eventually make people shift to conversations about the prospect of him being touted as the next “King Eagle.” However, Lance quickly dismisses the topic, as he believes that leading the team down the line is an inevitable goal, but separating himself from the rest of the team is not part of the plan.

Moreover, Lance does not see himself as the only shuttler manning the Blue Eagles in the future. In fact, the rookie sensation thinks that he should share the leading position with sophomore stalwart Lyrden Laborte.

“We’re both still here, not yet graduating, and very young. So I would see myself leading the team with him—and when he graduates, I would still see myself as a leader for the team,” the 19-year-old said.

Many expectations have been set for the freshman phenom, which he had already exceeded in such a short time. Although the dramatics of sports have proven that anything can happen in the UAAP, Lance’s optimism and determination to win will help the AMBT keep its powerhouse status in collegiate badminton no matter what.