De La Salle Taekwondo (DELTA) will be looking to improve upon its third place finishes last year as the UAAP Season 79 Taekwondo Tournament is set to begin tomorrow, Friday, October 21, at 8 am at the Blue Eagle Gym. The competition was slated to open earlier today, but was postponed due to Typhoon Lawin.
Learning from last year’s experiences, both teams will be aiming for gold this season. Along with the addition of former member Japoy Lizardo as an assistant coach, the maturation of a team that was composed of multiple rookies last year will be key in both teams placing better this Season 79.
Claiming the crown
While the previous season did not end in total victory, there were a few bright spots that bode well for DLSU Taekwondo. The rookies of last season now have experience under their belts. Headlined by last year’s Rookie of the Year (ROY) Kyle Arsenal, the young talent of the men’s team will look to make huge steps forward to win the gold. Along with this, though, is the motivation of graduating players, such as Kyle Uy and Pogs Jazmines from the men’s team, and Paola Amon, Farah Regis, and Kristina Lopez of the women’s team, to leave DLSU as champions.
According to sophomore Mitch Agapito, such factors could be the winning formula. “This season, since we have a very strong line-up that consists of rookie and veteran players, we have very high standards and our only goal this season is to become UAAP champions.”
Keith Uy and Carlo Dionisio, the current prized rookies, are set to debut this season. As a former US Junior National Team player, Keith followed brothers Kris and Kyle Uy’s footsteps and joined DELTA as he looks to make his mark in the upcoming tournament. Carlo Dionisio, the reigning MVP for Taekwondo in the previous season of the NCAA Juniors Division, is another player to look forward to. Having coach Roberto “Kitoy” Cruz, head coach of the DELTA team, as his mentor since he was six years old, Dionisio will once again prove his worth as he helps the team bring the title to Taft.
The team knows that winning the championship will not be easy. Led by head coach Roberto Cruz, however, the team believes it has done enough to be successful in achieving its goal this season. Agapito explained, “We have prepared this season by adapting new techniques that proved effective at the 2016 Rio Olympics as well as incorporate a weight training program in our weekly training schedule, which was designed specifically for us by the La Salle physical training staff.”
The women’s team will be looking to follow the same recipe as its members are also looking to improve upon last season’s podium finish. Following a second place finish in Season 77 and a bronze medal last season, the girls will be looking to attain the elusive gold medal finish.
After only losing to the UST Growling Tigresses and eventual champions the UE Lady Warriors last season, the members of the women’s team believe that the hard work they have been putting in on the mats in the gym will finally pay off when the tournament starts . Team captain Paola Amon and former junior national team member and sophomore Shanelle Romuar will likely play a pivotal role in DLSU Taekwondo’s road back to the top. Camille Bonje, the ROY two seasons ago, will also look to repeat her gold medal performances of the past this upcoming season.
Working as a team
Underrated in the grand scheme of things is the camaraderie between players. While most spectators will not notice this, the team believes this could be its strength. “I believe what makes the taekwondo team special is the amount of talented athletes that we have, as well as the special bond that we have with each other,” Agapito explained.
A mixture of hard work and working as a team is what DLSU Taekwondo has relied on as it works its way back to the top. A year’s worth of waiting and hunger for redemption will finally come to fruition as the teams begin their respective campaigns tomorrow, October 21, at 8 am at the Blue Eagle Gym.
