Blue and Lady Shuttlers humbled
UAAP SEASON 70 Badminton culminated last February 17 at the Rizal Badminton Hall in Taft, Manila with Ateneo coming up empty-handed from both men's and women's division play.
Closing out the season on a positive note, the Blue Shuttlers destroyed Far Eastern University, 4-1, in their final match of the season February 16, which pulled their record up to 2-4.
Unable to gain momentum from their historic podium finish last year, the Blue Shuttlers crashed back to the lower bracket, settling for fifth in a field of seven. The team, led by team captain Orville Yu (III BS HSc), was unable to find their rhythm as they sputtered to a finish reminiscent of their last place finish in 2006.
Coming from a successful stint last year, there was evident pressure on Ateneo as the want to win, compounded by the underdog label attached to them, weighed heavily on the team.
Losses to University Santo Tomas and University of the East were the most heartbreaking, as the outcomes were sealed in decision matches which the Blue Shuttlers were unable to capitalize on.
"The way things are, we really have to undergo rigorous mental training if we want to improve on our performance," said rookie Raphael Sanchez (I BS CTM). "Next year, we'll have something to prove."
In a forgettable conclusion to their season, the Lady Shuttlers bowed to La Salle in all five matches of the day last February 17, summing up the team's struggles for the year.
Samantha Huang (II BS Mgt-H) Camille Bautista (II AB Comm), Pauline Alcasid (I BS MIS), Pau Fortich (MBA), and Angela Fortich (I BS Mgt) stepped on court for the team's final match of the season. They finished with a 1-6 overall record.
"We did our best but were outplayed by other schools. For next year, we have to set higher goals, train harder and focus so that we will also grow as players and as a team," said Huang.
Composed of rookies, sophomores and MBA students, the Lady Shuttlers dropped down to seventh, a decline from their hold on fifth place for the past two years. Only National University's mediocre play kept them from finishing in the cellar.
with reports from Gino Antonio P. Trinidad