UAAP Season 81 was a memorable season for University of Santo Tomas as it finally broke with a win against powerhouse Adamson University in the Finals.
Still, the Tiger Softbelles came up short as the latter bagged its eighth straight UAAP title.
One of the main reasons for the Tiger Softbelles’ run is the versatile slugger in rookie Charlotte Sales.
UST was all motivated to go all out the following season, but Sales and the rest of the Sandy Barredo-mentored side’s aspirations were delayed – and, ultimately, cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Sobrang lungkot ko nun, kasi nga maglalaro na kami pero biglang kinancel dahil nga sa pandemic. Hindi namin alam kung kailan kami babalik. Ready na kami lahat eh, ready ‘yung team. Nakapag-prepare na kami non,” recalled the product of Fort Bonifacio High School.
Throughout the pandemic, though, Sales focused on her studies. She eventually graduated with a degree in Sports Management and later continued to train with the national team – the RP Blu Girls.
That was the main reason she took a break from playing in the UAAP.
However, the thrill of playing for one’s school still hits differently, and upon the pleas of coach Barredo and her teammates, Sales gave it one last shot.
“May mga kasama rin po ako na parang nakikita namin na kaya naming i-push. Nakikita namin na kaya naming lumaban this season. Parang binigyan ko rin ng chance ‘yung sarili ko na bumalik this season para at least tignan namin kung makabawi kami ngayon,” said the Leadership and Management graduate student.
“Ang saya lang na nakabalik ako. Kasi dream ko ‘to, since high school pa lang gusto ko nang makalaro sa UAAP; tapos nasa dream school ko pa po ako. So, nung nabigyan po ako ng chance super happy ko po. Kaya sana makuha namin ‘yung goal namin this season.”
