La Salle’s Jins prepare for battle

Will the kicks reach higher heights or will they be a sorry miss?

The Green Jins ended last season with a bang and finished last season at second place, bagging three gold and two bronze medals. However, due to the new quotient rule implemented by the UAAP, they fell short and finished at first runner-up behind the UST Tiger Jins. Keith Sambrano was adjudged the division’s Rookie of the Year for La Salle.

The Lady Jins fared better during the course of UAAP Season 75 as they grabbed three gold medals and two silver medals on their way to first place. Jyra Lyzardo earned MVP honors for their divison, while Patricia Gonzales earned the Rookie of the Year award.

New regime

During the offseason, the team underwent several changes, starting with the coaching staff. At the helm, Roberto Cruz replaces last year’s coach, Stephen Fernando, following his retirement. However, Fernando still visits the team during practice and shares his invaluable advice with the young Jins.

The teams also participated in various leagues during the offseason, competing in, among others, the Philippine Taekwondo League (PTL), where both squads won the championship. It was the second straight title for the Lady Jins in the PTL. Individual athletes also shined during the offseason: Kris Uy, for instance, took part in the Swiss Open and won a gold medal.

The teams had been preparing heavily for the UAAP wars since summer and have decided to forgo rest in order to move closer to their goal of winning a championship. “Siyempre di rin kami pwede magpahinga.  Kailangan tuloy tuloy parin ang training, di man everyday ang training, Monday, Wednesday, Friday lang pero kailangan parin magtraining para pag dating ngayong season handa parin kami,” says current Lady Jins team captain Jyra Lizardo.

There are many expectations for these teams in the upcoming season, after the Green Jins finished second and the Lady Jins won the championship. First place this year is the only acceptable finish for the team, as they had stated repeatedly while setting their goals for the season.

“Super saya naman last year, dahil nag pay off ang training namin, nag champion kami last year and overwhelming. Iba talaga yung feeling noon e, yung feeling mo na parang binigay niyo yung best niya as a team,” says Lizardo of the previous season.

The Jins are doing everything that they can to be well prepared for the upcoming tournament despite a new coach, a new captain and a new set of rookies. Their experience from last year, though, remains the biggest edge that they have going into this season.