By: Justine Gayle Monje
Photos by: Elmera Cablas, Angelica Venice Mabalot, Gio Aaron De Guzman and Rae Cza Gonatice
From October 10 to 12, 2024 of this year’s Urdaneta City Private Schools Athletic Meet (UCPSAM), ICE’s Badminton Squad showed grace and tenacity in competing against different schools that took place at St. Michael Gymnasium in Divine Word College of Urdaneta, Inc. (DWCU). With every swing, flick, and smash, our players’ outstanding moves left spectators astonished as they contributed a total of 9 out of 42 medals that ICE triumphed in this season.
In the Elementary Girls’ Singles A category, Sweeshly Joem V. Corpuz from Grade 6 reached the finals with a marvelous performance, where she faced off with Our Lady of the Lilies Academy (OLLA), and ultimately finished with a silver medal.
The Grade 5 students, Princess Brielle F. Desamito and Adelaine Zyrah Bohol also exhibited commitment to clinch a victory as the representatives for Elementary Girls’ Doubles. Their excellent dynamics as a pair made them secure a spot in the finals where they battled against OLLA and ended with a bronze medal.
In the Elementary Boys’ category, Singles A player Zildjian Valencia from Grade 6 fought his way to the finals in a tough battle against OLLA. With commendable skill and determination, Valencia wrapped up the tournament with a bronze medal.
Another Grade 6 player, Don Alberto, also excelled in the Singles B category. With his remarkable tactics and grit, he secured a place on the podium, facing a challenging match against Maranatha Christian Academy. Through his unparalleled performance, Alberto earned a gold medal, marking a successful run and securing his spot in the Central Schools Division Athletic Meet (CSDAM).
Following Alberto’s victory, Grade 6 students Daniel Palabay and Josh Carlisle Castillo from the Elementary Boys’ Doubles doubled the excitement for the group as they advanced to the finals. The pair thrived until the very end, finishing with a silver medal against St. Andrew Montessori and High School, Inc.
Moving on to the secondary level, only Singles B player Jellian Antonio Cabal from Grade 11 reached the finals among her teammates in the Girls’ category. With all her might, Cabal fought for the top spot against DWCU but finished second, receiving a silver medal
In the Girls’ Singles A category, Ishane Mhay G. Olivar from Grade 11, along with Girls’ Doubles team Shekaina Ganna Marie P. Gagatam from Grade 11 and Quicy Anne M. Alvaro from Grade 12, all made it to the semi-finals but fell short of advancing to the finals.
In the Secondary Boys’ category, Singles A player Allen Xandrei L. Dela Rosa from Grade 8 and Singles B player Thomas Wesley Ambrosio from Grade 11 both won silver medals after reaching the finals and competing against Lyceum Northern Luzon (LNL) and DWCU, respectively. Doubles representatives Marlon A. Milante and Japed Ivan G. Elizaga from Grade 11 also won silver medals after reaching the finals and competing against Lyceum-Northwestern University (LNU).
All in all, ICE’s Badminton Squad bagged two bronze medals, six silvers, and one gold. After winning the gold medal in Elementary Boys’ Singles B, we look forward to Alberto’s legacy in the upcoming CSDAM 2024. Such an incredible achievement by ICE’s Badminton team wouldn’t have been possible without their dedicated coaches — Ma’am Jasmin Simon and Ma’am Marife Lomibao — who provided unwavering support and guidance to their mentees. Like a shuttlecock, Ma’am Simon and Ma’am Lomibao truly served as the cork holding the feathers (the players) together, striving to soar high as one, even as they faced the struggles of falling down.
