With a new season on the horizon, the DLSU Lady Batters look to recreate a renaissance after missing out on a podium finish in UAAP Season 87. Accompanied by fresh starters, they seek to bring in an out-of-the-park impact on the diamond.
Looking back
The last action from the Lady Batters saw them leave the diamond heartbroken after a close bronze medal match that saw them ruled out of a medal placement. After this setback, the Green-and-White are more determined than ever to address their shortcomings that led to the loss. Team Co-captain Julianne Moral emphasized the need for improved mental fortitude during the team’s big moments of last season, “Need pa talaga namin mag-work on our mental toughness kasi nandoon na kami, [at] nakita na namin na kaya namin. Kaya lang, kulang pa kami sa mental preparedness,” she shares, expressing her confidence in the team’s talent.
(We still needed to work on our mental toughness because we were already there, and we saw that we could do it. But, we lacked in mental preparedness.)
Co-captain Jasmin Vizcaya added that another obstacle that was addressed this offseason was how undermanned the team was, leading to a conscious effort in adding rookies that would ultimately help them achieve their goal. Vizcaya further discussed how the rookies have settled in seamlessly, “Grabe [ang rookies] mag-step up. Parang ‘pag nakita mo ‘yung training namin, hindi mo maiisip na rookies sila kasi grabe [r]in talaga sila makipagsabayan sa seniors namin.”
(The rookies have really stepped up. If you were to witness our training sessions, you would not think they were rookies because they have done an impressive job holding their own against our seniors.)
Readied pitches
As they tidy their bats and gloves, the Lady Batters, powered by the rookies, take their renewed grit from the team captains and newfound resolve to the diamond. The Green-and-White have prepared intensely to match the fortitude of their opponents this Season 88.
The captains took the reins in patching up gaps within their gameplay, particularly on the mental aspect. “Grabe [r]in sila mag-push and mag-give ng advice sa amin kung paano namin i-handle‘yung pressure or ‘yung kailangan naming gawin para maging mentally prepared kami,” Vizcaya highlights, with external drivers allowing them to strengthen their minds and refine their game ahead of the new season.
(They give extra effort in pushing and giving us advice on how to handle pressure or what we need to do so that we can become mentally prepared.)
On the other hand, the rookies aim to make immediate impacts as their minds are set on hard work. Their thoughts hover over training and mental fortitude, making sure to be level-headed during game time and goal-oriented in the off-time: “Mga kalaban na[m]in this season is hindi sila basta-basta. Kasi habang [nasa] vacation [sila],‘yung iba naglalaro,” rookie Laira Silverio comments, highlighting how they deal with their upcoming opponents.
(Our opponents this season should not be taken lightly. This is because while other players are on vacation, the others are playing.)
Eyes on the prize
For the Taft-based squad, the objective for Season 88 goes beyond simply improving their record—they have their sights locked on a podium finish. This goal has become the collective heartbeat of the team, never faltering from their dorm rooms to the training grounds.
Rookie Shein Espinosa is not shy about their ambitious targets, specifically pinpointing the desire to dethrone the league powerhouse, AdU Lady Falcons. To the Lady Batters, overcoming the standard-bearers of the sport is a necessary benchmark to prove they truly belong among the elite. However, this hunger for victory is rooted in more than just personal glory; it is fueled by a solemn promise to the team’s graduating seniors.
Co-captain Vizcaya reveals that a major driving force for the current lineup is ensuring their seniors exit the tournament with hardware. Acknowledging the leadership the seniors provided during the team’s resurgence last year, Vizcaya asserts, “‘Di kami papayag na ga-graduate sila [nang] wala kaming binibigay na medal, kasi ‘yun yung pinangako namin sa kanila noong nakaraan.”
(We will not allow them to graduate without us giving them a medal because that is what we have promised them in the past.)
To help achieve this feat, the Lady Batters call on the Lasallian community to turn up in full force. Moral points out that the crowd’s positive energy is vital for their morale during high-pressure innings. Vizcaya echoes this sentiment with a bold pledge to the fans: “The season will not end without a medal returning to Taft. Pinapangako namin na hindi matatapos ‘yung season na ‘to at hindi kami aalis sa Rizal Stadium na wala kaming dalang medal,” Vizcaya vows.
(We promise that this season will not end and we will not leave Rizal Stadium without bringing home a medal.)
The DLSU Lady Batters enter the upcoming season with a narrative to break through. Spurred by a near-miss bronze finish and fortified by a revitalized roster, the team has successfully transformed its past shortcomings into its biggest strengths. After having sharpened their mental fortitude and completed their physical preparations, the Lady Batters are no longer just participating to compete; they are playing to conquer. As the diamond gleams around the corner, the Green-and-White are ready to swing for the fences.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s January 2026 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSJan2026.
