Fueled by Grit: Lady Shuttlers Eye a Podium Finish This Season 87
“Grit” — that’s the word the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Shuttlers Team Captain Ghiselle Bautista chose to define the team heading into the Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). But the Lady Shuttlers’ grit goes beyond mere persistence; it is also fueled by unwavering determination and, most importantly, self-confidence. According to the captain, believing in themselves is the first step because trusting their own capabilities enables each player to contribute meaningfully to the team.
Learning From The Past
Reflecting on last season’s performance, Bautista shared that every player gave their all and the team put in a tremendous amount of preparation despite the unforeseen setbacks they encountered, particularly during their crucial match against the UST Lady Shuttlers. Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan in that decisive game, and with a podium finish on the line, the Lady Shuttlers ultimately conceded their UAAP S86 Finals spot to UST. According to Bautista, “It was a tough pill to swallow but it’s also a learning experience.”
Following their heartbreak in Season 86, the Lady Shuttlers wasted no time and jumped straight back into training. According to the team captain, this is their usual routine after every season, especially when they need to identify areas for improvement. As their coach always reminds them, “If matapos [ang] isang season, after that season, panibagong season na naman magii-start.” And with this mindset, the team strives to have an extended preparation to further improve the team’s ability to adapt, reflect, and build on the lessons learned from the previous season.
Regaining Momentum
In preparation for the upcoming season, the Lady Shuttlers participated in several pre-season tournaments, including the FDG Cup, the Philippine Badminton Open 2024, and the Protech 2024 Open Badminton Tournament. Just like any other sport, pre-season tournaments offer a platform to showcase the team’s skills without the full pressure of representing their schools. Bautista shared that competing against other UAAP schools in these tournaments also provided them a glimpse of the competition they will face, which makes it easier to pinpoint what they need to work on before the season officially begins.
However, the Lady Shuttlers also encountered numerous challenges leading up to Season 87. Bautista revealed that several key players from the team recently graduated, which forced the team to make significant adjustments. The captain shared that “It wasn’t easy but it really pushed us to work and especially how to adapt to new partnerships. The key is understanding each player’s playing styles and finding ways to play more cohesively.”
Despite these challenges, the captain reassured that the team will give their best to compete fiercely for La Salle. Bautista also noted that, “We’re also dedicated and we will be displaying outstanding sportsmanship, resilience, and teamwork as we strive to achieve our goal which is yung maka-podium finish or at least maging part ng Final Four. Our team is committed to showcasing our strength both on and off the court not only physically but also spiritually.”
When it comes to training, the Lady Shuttlers never fail to go all in. Bautista shared that they dedicate three hours each session in the morning and in the afternoon, amounting to a rigorous 6–7 hours of practice daily. Additionally, training together with the Green Shuttlers has fostered a strong sense of camaraderie among both teams, with the captain further elaborating that they are “One team, one goal. One team, one dream…We make sure na walang male-left out. Lahat kami, especially kaming seniors, nandiyan kami [para] sa rookies.”
Mind Over Matter
Badminton players also face challenging game days and demanding playing conditions, whether it’s a sweltering indoor match or navigating a slippery Taraflex court on rainy days. To tackle these obstacles, Bautista emphasized the necessity of enhancing their endurance during training. But aside from having very intense training sessions, the captain shared that the team also puts more emphasis on mindset in preparing for the upcoming season because of the different level of pressure that they face in the UAAP.
But despite all the challenges they faced and will face, Bautista shared that her seniors demonstrated what true leadership looks like and how it can inspire the entire team. Whether it was handling pressure, keeping team morale high, or simply leading by example, those moments and lessons left a lasting impact on her and shaped her into the captain she is today. Given her new position in the team, Bautista shared “I see us really coming together and we’re making a strong push this UAAP Season 87. With the new lineup and the fresh energy that we have, we are more adaptable and more competitive having a mix of experiences players and promising rookies.”
Gearing Up For The Season
When it comes to the team’s current lineup, Bautista sees a silver lining in having fewer members this season. With a more compact roster, coaches and players can better focus on honing individual skills and closely monitor each player’s progress. The Lady Shuttlers have also introduced new pairings and adjustments, with everyone stepping up their game and showing versatility, and Bautista is particularly eager to see the rookies develop and make their mark this season.
As a final message, the Lady Shuttlers team captain expressed her appreciation for the Lasallian community on behalf of the team, “We would like to thank all of them, the Lasallian community for supporting us last season kahit online man lang or those who went talaga sa venue, and we really appreciate if you would continue to support us this upcoming season and please support us this season.”
Root for the DLSU Lady Shuttlers as they aim for a podium finish this upcoming season, from October 12 until October 30, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) Badminton Hall.
The team’s tournament schedule is as follows:
DLSU vs. UP — October 12, 1:00 PM
DLSU vs. Ateneo — October 13, 1:00 PM
DLSU vs. NU— October 20, 1:00 PM
DLSU vs. AdU — October 26, 1:00 PM
DLSU vs. UST — October 27, 1:00 PM
