Alyssa Leonardo: A dream come true

Having played badminton since her elementary days, Alyssa Leonardo did not hesitate to pursue her career in the collegiate level when the opportunity came.

An alumna of IUF Academy of Bulacan, Leonardo is currently taking up AB-Sports Management, and will take her racket to the UAAP wars this season donning a La Salle jersey. Starting early with badminton and having joined several competitions in the past, Leonardo’s experience makes her a great asset for the DLSU Lady Shuttlers.

She shares that she was discovered by La Salle during her high school days; however, she also mentioned that DLSU was in fact her dream school and she was very fortunate that the University first scouted her.

Having finished at third place during UAAP Season 75, Leonardo joins an already competitive Lady Shuttlers team that is thirsting for a championship this year. However, head coach Owen Lopez mentions that the team may be a little thin for this coming season, as a number of his players will not be able to play due to ineligibility.

Nonetheless, a promising set of rookies, led by Leonardo, are showing signs that they are ready for the UAAP battles despite their youth. Together with her fellow rookies, Leonardo is currently undergoing specialization training with the coaching staff. Here, they focus mainly on establishing where the players will perform at a higher level—singles or doubles.

The transition from high school to college is one thing, but living in a new city is an even bigger change that Leonardo has to deal with. She mentions how University life is a major change for her, and that she is slowly adjusting to its lifestyle, as well as that of Manila. Leonardo adds that she is grateful that her teammates and blockmates are very supportive of her and they have been steadily helping her adjust to college.

Playing for La Salle, Leonardo mentions that she expects a lot more from herself now on the clay courts. The freshman shares that she will do her best to contribute to the team in order to help improve their third place standing from a year ago, hopefully winning a championship. She acknowledges the fact that La Salle is the defending General Champion. For this gem of an athlete, failing to at least duplicate last year’s feat is unacceptable.