Channeling the Kihap! DLSU Lady Jins more ready to secure the top spot

The DLSU Lady Jins are all geared up with their Gi as they prepare to compete for the top spot in the upcoming UAAP Season 85 Taekwondo tournament, which will begin on December 13.

After finishing second on the podium of their last court appearance in Season 82, they are much more eager to capture the win and bring the championship title back to Taft.

The Women’s Kyorugi team line-up is a mixture of seasoned seniors, first-time UAAP players, and a new breed of rookies headed by Captain Alethea Tolentino and co-captain Argie Lamasan. “Even if it is a different line-up, it is still the same Lady Jins,” Tolentino pointed out. Despite the own personal experiences and achievements of these talented athletes, when it comes to competing in the sport that they love, they still come together as one and improve as one.

Finding the rhythm once more

After not getting first place in the event last season, it was their mindset to bounce back and double the work and everything. However, the pandemic pressed the pause button on the Lady Jin’s training and preparation for the upcoming season back then. Tolentino emphasized that one of the most difficult challenges for the entire team is reestablishing the rhythm they once had.

The whole team kept on moving and taking steps forward as they tried to adjust to the new normal brought upon by the pandemic. From partaking in online training to slowly going back to face-to-face coaching, the team underwent a full metamorphosis as they tried new and different strengthening and body conditioning techniques to improve their individual skills.

As they refer to themselves as a big family that stands as the support system for everyone, the closeness of the team is something that Tolentino is proud of since they consider their training sessions a way for them to connect and catch up with each other. The captain emphasized that even if a new approach to training the athletes were implemented, the team’s dynamics would remain the same — a bond like no other.

Starting with a strong stance

“Even if we started late, we started strong”, Tolentino mentioned. When other competing teams started their face-to-face training in July, the Lady Jins were only granted permission to train again in September. With only three months left to train and refresh their sparring memory, which was put on hold for three years, the captain is proud and confident of the strength and versatility shown by her teammates in such a short period of time. With the intensity amplified at every step of the way, the Lady Jins were able to build more stamina, endurance, strength, and balance, which was enough to equip them for the upcoming games.

It was a scenario of pushing themselves to their limits as they set out with the desire to win the championship. “We want to win. Kahit anong hirap ng training at pagod ng katawan ang daanan, we want to push for that gold,” is the mantra of the Green and White. With Coach Roberto Cruz’s finger hearts and words of encouragement, the Lady Jins pushed themselves to perform their very best inside and outside the mats.

Passing the torch of legacy

As the majority of the once-rookies are now having their last playing years at DLSU, Purcia Ang, Alethea Tolentino, Argie Almasan, and Nurhida Chua wish to set a good example as seniors to the new additions as well as make the most of their playing years. They wish to bring pride to the school, to their coaches and teammates, as well as to their family, by doing their very best at what they do best.

Rookies Jade Papa, Allyah Eusalan, Easther Dangayo, Sophia De Leon, and Catherine Felix may be first-time UAAP players; however, the captain takes pride in the potential and strength displayed by these newbies. With some coming from the national team’s training pool and some boasting careers and achievements from well-known tournament cups, this set of rookies is definitely a different breed, ready to take you by storm.

With now-ready hearts, minds, and bodies, the lady jins only say one thing:
“Kung sino man ang makakatapat namin sa court, hindi kami magpapatalo.”