The DLSU Lady Batters will be looking to improve upon their fifth place finish last season, as they hope to finally get over the hump. As their season nears, the team is eager to take the field and make sure this year is better than the last.
After falling a spot short of the Final Four in Season 79, Lady Batter team captain Judie Ann Ramos hopes to lead the team to greater heights. Alongside the captain, the team is also guided by a new voice as it welcomes its new coach, Jasper Cabrera.
Since taking the job, he has focused on aiding his team with new techniques and refined skills for the upcoming season. “Knowing na mataas na rin na-achieve niya sa softball, parang doon kami nagkakaroon ng trust na kaya niya namin palakasin sa lahat ng technique na tinuturuan niya,” says Ramos on her new coach.
(Knowing that he has achieved a lot in softball, that is where we establish our trust with him, that he can make us stronger with the techniques that he teaches us.)
As three of the team’s players graduated after Season 79, one of the things that the Lady Batters anticipate will be a challenge is competing with only 13 players in the lineup. It is then crucial that each player remains in good condition since they cannot risk losing any player to injury. Nevertheless, the team uses this to their advantage as it creates an avenue for the coaches to help everyone grow individually. Improvements across the board will be key for the Lady Batters if they hope to be hoisting up the trophy at the end of the tournament.
Throughout the offseason, aside from their usual field and gym training, the Lady Batters made it a habit to have tune-up games, wherein they competed against male teams. By taking on the challenge head-on, it helped the team gain camaraderie and gather the confidence they would need when competing in the UAAP.
“Tinatry namin kalabanin yung mas malakas sa amin. Kung kaya namin matalo yung boys, what more yung babae, so nawawala yung kaba factor,” says Ramos.
(We try to compete with those stronger than us. If we can win against the boys, what more with the women’s, so the nervousness disappears.)
Additionally, the team has also placed emphasis on improving another essential factor in its preparations for the season which is their communication as a team.
While winning the championship is the ultimate goal, Ramos mentions that focusing on short-term goals first, such as making it to the Final Four, is a bigger priority now because it is more specific and will ultimately also help the team in the long run. Also, the captain shares that one of the things that the team will keep in mind throughout the course of the season is to be focused on the field and take the experience one game at a time.
It will be a tough task to dethrone seven-time defending champions AdU, but the Lady Batters will be giving it their all as they try to end the Lady Falcon dynasty.
The Lady Batters open their campaign tomorrow, February 1, at 1 pm against the UP Lady Maroons at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Diamond.
