27/10/2025
๐ฆ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ | ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ช๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ต ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐น๐๐ฏ๐
Core Gateway College, Inc. (CGCI) delegates in Shuttle Warriors Badminton Club bagged three wins at the Rota Smash Battle of the Clubs at MIA Badminton Center, Pasay City, Manila, last Oct. 25.
Competing in the Mixed Doubles, low level category, Beiman Samonte and Dianne Rivera fell short in their first match, defeated by the Premiere Aces followed by the Arctic Aces, 28-35.
Luck runs out as the first match of Yves Gines and Christian Rabulan in Men's Doubles Mid Level category resulted in defeat against the Premier Aces, 35-11.
Still, the warriors never backed down and defended the shuttle โ Gines and Rabulan struck โ serving drives and flash strikes, winning against the Premier Aces, 35-29.
Highlighting their comeback, Samonte and Rivera resurged, dominating the court and won in a swift against Kapamilya Smashers, 35-21.
Continuing the momentum in their last match, Gines and Rabulan amplified their defense, unleashes drives, smashes, and strikes, notching victory against Kapamilya Smashers, 35-33.
Composed by other eight individuals, team captain Ed Sean Ong, together with Glery Castillo in Men's Doubles (High), Avelino Ventura and Dan Aniscol in Men's Doubles Low, and Olizen Tallo with Ivy Consigo in Women's Doubles (Mid) โ Shuttle Warriors gained 8 points, ranking 5th place out of 15 teams in the tournament.
Student athletes on their first time experience competing with experienced badminton players, said it is a transformative journey โ catalysts that drive their passion to burn for Badminton, carrying the new experience and learning to improve in the field.
"At first, I felt nervous due to the new environment. But, after realizing all the struggles during training and the institution โ which is the CGCI who entrusted their faith in us, my mind became clear and I managed to stay focused in the matches. With this experience, I am still planning to compete because Badminton is my passion," player Rabulan in Men's Doubles (Mid Level) said.
Gines also treasures the opportunity and experience he had in the event, realizing they need to improve and train more.
"I'm glad to be part of the team and have been chosen to compete in Manila. It is a good start that CGCI is starting to participate in competitions like this. Thus, I did my best to train and win. We may not succeed in bringing home the trophy, but we know and are looking forward to competing in other competitions โ training more to overcome our weaknesses and improve strength."
Samonte and Rivera, played in Mixed Doubles (Low Level) appreciate the challenges they faced and lessons they learned in the competition, serving as power to drive for improvement.
"It's a pleasure to join a competition like this. I felt pressured but I enjoyed the game, met a lot of people, and friends. Having such an opportunity and being exposed to playing in this kind of game is unforgettable, given that because I'm still an amateur Badminton player," Samonte shared.
"For beginners like me, it is a pleasure to be chosen as a player โ competing in such an event for Badminton. I was nervous and pressured due to unfamiliarity in the environment. Still, it didn't make me cower, instead, it pushes me to give my best and take home all the learning to improve," Rivera opened.
According to their coach Marvin Agustin, to help the student athletes to thrive in the field is one of his lifelong goals โ supporting and giving them the opportunities they need.
"As a Badminton coach, I participated in the Badminton tournament to provide student athletes with a platform to showcase their skills, build teamwork, and gain competitive experience. I'm also proud of their performance and enthusiasm that they showed throughout the journey. Continuously, I plan to intensify training, encourage more tournament participation, and foster a supportive environment โ to contribute to the sports development among the students and in our institution," coach Agustin stated.
They might fell short in bringing home the trophy, but it doesn't mean that they failed in the field.
According to the team, winning three matches in a big tournament like this is a great start โ signaling new beginnings and more development to come โ to train harder and bring home victory in their next match.
Rota Smash Battle of the Clubs is a national inter-club Badminton competition, organized by the Rotary Club of New Manila South in partnership with RallySports PH, APACS Makati, PBAD, and Alberto Sports, on behalf of the Champions of Change Scholar-Athletes Program and the Philippine Badminton Associationโs Junior Developmental Program. | via Kimberly Quitlong
Photos | Dony Pulintan
