In a thrilling high-stakes tournament overflowing with hits and smashes, the DLSU Green and Lady Paddlers struck the table with determination, finishing their UAAP Men’s and Women’s Table Tennis Tournaments with mixed results after building off strong preparations in their respective offseasons.
The Green Paddlers came into their tournament set as ever, with grips firm and paddles ready, giving it their all. However, they fell short of a semifinal berth, settling for fifth place.
On the other hand, the Lady Paddlers carried momentum with each strike, eventually flipping the tables as they earned the second runner-up title in their campaign.
Renewed vigor
From humble journeys to new beginnings, the Green and Lady Paddlers looked toward the horizon of Season 88, determined as they worked their way to overcome previous challenges. Catan emphasized that their biggest obstacle was mental endurance, “We’re trying to build our mental resilience, especially for the [ID] 123, 124, and 125s.” On the other hand, Laude brought a new resolve to her team: “Our opponent’s team was more balanced than ours. This coming season, whoever we play with, we’ll be ready to have a chance to win the game.”
In the Men’s division, Catan was motivated by the rookies getting incrementally better in every single thing that they do: “This year, I just want this team to have a mindset of ‘no regrets.’ Every single training [session], I want them to give their best.” Meanwhile, Laude focused on bringing the championship back to Taft as they were unable to make it all the way last season. She wanted this season to be memorable and take home the crown before graduating.
With goals came preparation, and such aspirations prompted the captains to take the necessary steps to achieve their objectives. Catan and Laude took similar approaches in refining their mental fortitude, with Laude elaborating on the type of work they did: “Mentally, I try to motivate them and talk through their needs [in hopes of] boosting their morale,” she reflected. Catan described the value of mental toughness within the game as well, stating that it is not only vital to work on themselves but on each other as well. “We’ve been trying to build our trust towards each other so that whenever there are clutch moments, we can trust our teammates,” he shared.
From the captains’ viewpoint
Being a captain is definitely not a walk in the park; it is a role not as light as a ping pong ball. Building a stronger team for Catan takes work and requires nurturing. The men’s team captain strengthened the squad’s unity by sharing at least two to three meals with them in a week. He emphasized the importance of building chemistry even outside of the training grounds, stating that it’s not really about the food, but rather, the people with whom they eat. On the other side of the court, Laude also expressed how she finds it challenging to monitor the girls, with her rarely being on campus. However, like Catan, she tries to maintain the bond through post-training team dinners and karaoke nights to work on their dynamics.
Besides team camaraderie, the captains also have to oversee the development of their players. Catan described their struggles with balancing stability and aggression, expressing how the men’s team often executed risky plays on the table, which are seldom rewarded. “Finding this balance might be the crucial factor for getting the win,” says the captain. Meanwhile, the women’s team struggled with a loss of confidence in times of pressure. Laude noticed that the skill is there during training, but during crunch time, her teammates lose composure. To alleviate this, she encouraged her teammates to join various clubs to be comfortable with different opponents.
Forging futures
With a dual focus on immediate discipline and long-term development, the Green and Lady Paddlers are setting a foundation for success that extends beyond the tables. For Catan, instilling a culture of personal accountability and aiming for his players to take charge of their lives as student-athletes is their top priority. He believes that the ultimate goal is “to grow as a person, to live their life to the fullest potential.” Similarly, Laude champions a mindful approach for her players, emphasizing the importance of intention in their daily efforts. “I always tell them to train not for the sake of being able to say that they ‘trained’ but to learn something from it,” a philosophy that builds toward their ultimate ambition.
The journey is one they share deeply with their supporters, and both captains extend their heartfelt gratitude to the community that cheers them on. Catan echoes this appreciation, offering a broader call to action for the Lasallian faithful. “Watch [the] games, not just ours, all the other sports out there outside of basketball and volleyball that deserve your attention, attendance, and support,” he encouraged, recognizing the entire Lasallian community, especially the network of student media and staff that uplifts every team.
The Green and Lady Paddlers did not just prepare for another tournament, they were driven toward a renewed sense of purpose and determination. After finishing fifth and third, respectively, the teams will use these results as fuel to elevate their game. Under the leadership of captains Paul Catan and Angel Laude, the Paddlers embraced the lessons learned from their past performances as they now seek to fine-tune their strategies and foster a stronger, more cohesive team dynamic next season. Catan’s focus on personal accountability and leadership development gave the Green Paddlers the resilience to bounce back, while Laude’s emphasis on intentionality and growth empowered the Lady Paddlers to sharpen their mindset. With a renewed sense of drive, both squads are poised to tackle the challenges ahead as they head into the off-season.
