At the end of last year’s UAAP men’s badminton tournament, University of the Philippines’ former head coach Malvin Alcala shared his plans for this season.
“Siguro sa boys, sure may mapapalitan. I will put JM Bernardo kasi yung bata, pwede sa singles, pwede sa doubles,” he said.
The champion coach was referring to second-year Sports Science major and UAAP Season 78 women’s Most Valuable Player Bea Bernardo’s younger brother John Matthew.
It was actually through his Ate that JM found his way to Diliman. He recalled that it had been Bea who had joined the UP camp first and, consequently, he followed.
“Nasama lang ako sa ate ko, kasi siya yung nagtry-out talaga rito; tapos ayun, nakikitraining na rin ako nung high school pa ko. Tapos kinuha na rin ako ng manager ng UP, si Tita Pacita (Co),” the younger Bernardo recounted.
Having grown up to a family of badminton players, JM is used to being compared to his elder siblings. When asked how he views his Ate Bea’s achievements, he has this to say.
UP’s Bea Bernardo
“Hindi naman ako pressured. Wala naming pressure.”
Instead, he uses this as a drive to do as well in the court. The newbie Isko said, “[Naging motivation siya,] lalo na nung naging si Ate ng MVP, mas lalo akong ginanahan na gusto kong maglaro sa UAAP.”
“Kasi last year hindi ako nakalaro ng UAAP. Ngayon, first year ko pa lang .”
Despite not making it to the lineup last year, JM has worked hard to get to the “final eight” for the season. He recalled that for the past year “doble training talaga. Everyday training, sa umaga at sa hapon. Siyempre, hindi pa rin mawawala yung studies, dapat equal.”
With the addition of Bernardo in the men’s roster, and with the improvement of the rest of the boys, the Fighting Maroons have clinched their third straight post-season appearance and are one win away from a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
For the UP sophomore, what perhaps is the best reason for this turnaround is the team’s newfound chemistry. He shared, “Mas close talaga kami ngayon sa court [and sa labas]. [And] talagang everyday training talaga.”
However, arguably, the biggest “new” in all this is the new person of the name Bernardo. JM shared his delight that after one year of hiatus, he could finally contribute. And he has done so by helping UP reach the semis – going unbeaten in all of his singles matches.
“Masaya na nananalo ako kahit papano, kahit first year lang ako.”
With tougher tests ahead, the UP Maroon newbie vows, “Mas gagalingan pa naman at mas magandang performance pa yung papakita naming sa inyo.”
