Eyes on the prize.
This has always been the motto and mindset of every DLSU Judoka.
Now that the UAAP season is just around the corner, Head Coach Sam Bernales will see the fruit of more than a years worth of work.
“It took me a year to make the training program for the upcoming UAAP season…Pag may technique akong naisip (when I think of a technique), I write it down. I also observe their performance on small tournaments. I make it a point to remember where they went wrong, or kung saan sila nahihirapan (where they are having difficulty in). That way, we can focus on those during training…Perhaps the only difference is [that] we started early. Summer, I [had already] setup the UAAP training program,” he shared.
The coach has dedicated his time and patience to players who are willing to learn.
“There are players na magaling kung sa magaling (excellent). During training, their forms are perfect, but I think the problems that most Judokas usually encounter are self-confidence and believing that they could win.”
Aside from being a very physically demanding sport, Judo also requires the mental strength.
“If there’s any self-doubt, even just 1 percent, that they can win every match, trust me, that player will lose no matter how good,” Coach Bernales shared.
Judokas share
Sophomore Marjorie Santiago, known as the ‘golden score girl’ because all her matches have been sent to a golden score match, is considered a standout; she has showed great improvement last summer.
“The most unforgettable experience I have so far is when I cried in a match for the first time; that was during UAAP 74 against Ateneo’s top contender AC Divina. It felt like I didn’t contribute anything for the team. I suffered an ACL injury two months before the UAAP so kulang din ng training (I lacked training),” the dedicated Judoka shared.
She likewise shares that she was supposed withdraw from the season, as her strengthening and conditioning took a month’s toll on training.
She did not, however, let this get in the way, as she did not want to let an opportunity slip away.
Now that she’s in great shape and with a complete yearlong training, she’s expected to get it on against the other -63 kg contenders. One of which is Adamson University’s Eunice Lucero who she encountered in the One La Salle Tournament.
Despite limitations and hindrances, Coach Bernales is still confident that the DLSU roster is strong this season.
The DLSU men’s team is also eyeing the championship since the team’s lineup has many senior platers; not to mention.
Expectations to bring the glory to Taft are high for senior Judokas Keith Ver, Mickey Regala, BG Albaraccin for the men’s team, and Kristine Espinas, Florence Payno and Nikki More for the women’s team.
