The latter half of 2023 and early 2024 were challenging times for Mark Velasco in his badminton career.
Injuries and self-doubt plagued the Smash Pilipinas up-and-comer, diminishing his confidence – a journey that began when he fell short of delivering National University’s eighth straight UAAP title.
“Yung last year po talaga na UAAP, siya talaga ‘yung sumira ng confidence ko,” Velasco admitted.
“Yung mga coaches ko, ‘yung mga teammates ko, sila po ‘yung tumulong sa‘kin para ma-build ‘yung confidence ko uli. Thankful po ako sa kanila kasi kahit nasa baba po ako. Hindi po nila ko pinabayaan.”
With the encouragement of his coaches and teammates, the third-year Bulldog found the drive to reclaim his form. This renewed determination ultimately helped Velasco lead NU to its record-setting eighth UAAP title.
“This UAAP po talaga, nilabanan ko po ‘yung sarili ko. Para sa‘kin po, hindi ko po tinalo ‘yung kalaban, para po sa‘kin, tinalo ko po ‘yung sarili ko.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Before the crucial second singles match, head coach Jaime Llanes had a candid talk with Velasco. The coach challenged him to show the version of himself they had seen when he joined the team – a confident “Mark Velasco” who plays with joy, undeterred by setbacks.
In that match, Velasco felt his younger, resilient self return.
“May times tulad kanina na sobrang dami ng errors ko. Sabi ko lang, reset lang, ipasok ko lang hanggang sa makakuha ng kumpyansa. Hanggang sumunod na po ‘yung mga puntos ko at hanggang sa nanalo na nga po ako.
“Sobrang importante nito, kasi dito ko po mabi-build ‘yung confidence ko uli. Tsaka mas nakilala ko po ‘yung sarili ko. Kasi nung mga past few tournaments natalo po ako, kaya nagdasal lang ako kay Lord na i-guide lang ako na maibigay ‘yung best ko. Pero bonus talaga ‘tong panalo, kaya thank you kay Lord,” said Velasco.
This championship marked not only a comeback for NU but, more importantly, reignited Velasco’s passion for the sport.
“Sobrang saya po, kasi last year, lugmok ako eh. Pero ngayon, OK na po. Nabalik na po ‘yung dating Mark.”
