The second singles match between the Ateneo Lady Eagles and the FEU Lady Tamaraws was a thrilling encounter during the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Badminton Tournament playoff tie. In an exhibition of school spirit, it was Cassie Lim of ADMU who emerged victorious against FEU’s Michal Duquilla via straight games. It was a grueling encounter for the players as both games went over the deuce with Lim shading it 23-21 and 22-20.
Duquilla led both games all throughout only for Lim to complete sequential comebacks. It was an impressive outing for Lim who later partnered up with Bianca Carlos to seal ADMU’s entry to the next round where they will face archrivals DLSU in the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall on October 10, 2015.
It is safe to say that Lim personified the instructions of ADMU coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles before the start of the tie. “Our coach told us to enjoy the game. Most importantly talaga is to enjoy and of course “puso” talaga. Like everything, whatever happens, basta habulin lahat ng shuttle. Kahit mamatay na sa court, basta habulin lahat. That’s what we did”, says Lim.
Speaking about the game, Lim can only share what she and her team felt after the win against FEU. No tactics, just pure emotion. “Well, I’m sure like me and the team, we’re all overwhelmed by the game because we came in as underdogs and we just fought till the end. We got what we wanted.“
The ADMU Lady Eagles have had their share of mishaps this UAAP Season 78. They have had injuries and lost a crucial tie versus UP that would have prevented a sweep.
Lim failed to win the first singles match in that tie which set the tone for a 3-2 UP win. “Before our team tie vs UP, we wanted to win to prevent the sweep and I felt like the team was really counting on me to win that match. I was so close, but I guess things happen for a reason and maybe that loss is meant to show me that I need to push harder, strive harder para sweeter if we win”, stated Lim.
Setbacks should make a team and the Lady Eagles are proving that right now. Lim elaborated, “We have had minor setbacks but as I said we’ll take one at a time talaga. We’ll use it as our motivation talaga to prove na even if we’re lacking one or two players, we’re still one who team and we can still make it. I think naman that all of us have to step up. “
Up next for the Lady Eagles is a DLSU team with a twice-to-beat advantage. Lim and her team remained calm even if they knew that the odds are stacked against them, very much repeating the mantra instilled to them by their coach. “We’re gonna take it one game at a time talaga. One really at a time. Just one at a time. One point at a time until sana matuluyan na. We get it. We’ll just have to trust in ourselves, in our capabilities and what we are able to do. “
