UAAP Season 84 Team Preview — DLSU Taekwondo Poomsae Team
Locked and Loaded
Coming off back-to-back Gold Medal finishes, the De La Salle University Taekwondo (DELTA) Poomsae Team are all set to go for three-peat this UAAP Season 84.
When asked about the pressure this brings, Team Captain Patrick Perez admitted that although they feel pressured, it is a good competition pressure instead of heavy pressure. “I think every athlete naman na merong hold sa back-to-back is merong pressure din for a three-peat, pero we see it as a good pressure not the kind na ‘kailangan all gold kayo lahat’, hindi naman sa ganun…”
Departures: Justine Cruz, Angelica Joyce Gaw, Benjamin Sembrano,
Additions: John Aldrin Pacana , Sofia Sarmiento,
DELTA Poomsae will now be missing the services of reigning MVP Gaw and Sembrano, who have already exhausted their playing years, and Cruz who is set to graduate. With big shoes to fill, rookies Sarmiento and Pacana, who both have experience representing the Philippines in various international tournaments, are reinforced to help the team.
In getting ready for the UAAP Tournament, the two constantly participated in national tournaments, consistently placing within the top 10. Although they are expected to contribute in the upcoming season, the seniors urge them to enjoy and learn on top of everything. “…perform, enjoy, and huwag iisipin na meron kailangan ‘eto si ganito naachieve nya last UAAP kailangan ganun ka rin.’ Hinahayaan lang namin yung mga bata hanggang rookie first year, kasi nga doon sila matututo.”
Holdovers: Daphne Ching, Jessie Ignacio, Patrick Perez, Michael Porras Jr., Mikee Regala, Zyka Santiago
With the same core in the back-to-back Gold, they are now well-versed of the championship formula. Now as the oldest members of the team, they look to lead the team, heading into the season.
Preparation
With the lockdown due to pandemic halting the UAAP (and other competitions) for two years, the level of action also toned down. However, that did not stop the team from competing and practicing. The Team Captain explained that although there were no face-to-face competitions, the team was very active in joining different National and International competitions, since competition did not require the athletes to go onsite, but instead only needed to submit videos. Aside from this, the Poomsae team also had constant online training four times a week to maintain their physical conditions.
Fresh off the Silver medal finish in the recently concluded 31st SEA Games, a personal struggle Perez felt during the course of their preparation is him only entering the UAAP bubble a week before the tournament due to National Team commitments, as opposed to his teammates going in a month before.
As a response, Perez noted the familiarity played a huge role. “Good thing since matagal naman naming kasama yung isa’t isa, madali namin maadjust yung katawan namin, yung bonding namin, para magsync in for pair event or for team event.”
He also made sure to involve himself through monitoring Zoom trainings and communicating with co-Team Captain Regala for updates, maintaining a transparent relationship with the team.
Defending the Crown
Now that they are here, the DELTA Poomsae team are more than ready to showcase their skills and prove why they attained back-to-back.
As a message to the Lasallian community, Perez expressed his gratitude for the support, and urged the community to support the team. “To all Lasallians, suportahan nyo po sana kami, ang DLSU Poomsae Team and yes may hawak po kaming back-to-back championships at gagawin po naming lahat para makamit ang three-peat for this UAAP Season 84. Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong suporta, sa dasal, sa OSA sa DLSU Community, sa lahat ng mga kaibigan namin, classmates, blockmates, sana patuloy nyo parin kaming supportahan hanggang sa makuha natin ang championship title ulit.”
Catch the DELTA Poomsae team in their UAAP Season 84 campaign today from 10AM to 4PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Coral Way.
