PLAY. Learn. Enjoy. Win.

With these four inspiring words from former national player-turned-coach Ma. Bianca Ysabel Carlos on mind, the Philippine junior badminton team made history by taking home a silver medal in the 2022 Asia Junior Sports Exchange Games in Tokyo, Japan last Sept. 15-20.

It was the country’s first medal in 13 years, and Carlos the coach couldn’t be happier.

Ask Bianca.

“This is another very proud moment for the Philippines. It was great experience for all of us, especially the kids,” said Carlos during her appearance in the 40th episode of “Sports on Air” via Zoom.

“They enjoyed the opportunity to represent our country and learned a lot during our stay in Tokyo. This was a great experience and we’re very happy to bring home a silver medal,” added Carlos, one of the country’s brightest players.

“Madaming natutunan ang mga bata not just in the tournament proper, but in other activities to learn and understand the Japanese culture as well. Nag-enjoy talaga sila. But while enjoying, we kept our focus on getting a medal,” added Carlos, who is best remembered for beating six-time World Badminton Federation champion Nguyen Thuy Linh of Vietnam during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

“We did not win the gold medal, but we’re blessed to get the silver. In 2009, we got only a bronze, so I guess the silver is good enough for now.”

Led by Christel Rei Fuentespina and Andrea Princess Hernandez, the Philippine Sports Commission-supported Smash Pilipinas team took the top spot in the group games after defeating Team Ibaraki Japan, 3-2, and Team Tokyo B Japan, 4-1, to advance to the semis.

The Filipinos defeated New Delhi, India, 3-2, in the semis to arrange a title showdown against eventual champion Singapore.

A former UAAP MVP with Ateneo, the 27-year-old Carlos said the Filipinos’ performances in Tokyo proved that the country’s national junior badminton program is doing well.

“When I saw our players get into international stage, natuwa ako dahil nakita ko na kaya na natin talagang makipag-sabayan, skill-wise. Pati yun tindig sa loob ng court. To think na tinalo natin yun dalawang Japanese teams and we almost beat Singapore,” recalled Carlos.

“Right now, I think ang kailangan lang natin talaga ay yun paulit-ulit nating sinasabi na exposure ng mga players, lalo sa mga international conpetitions. Hopefully, yung support sa team magtuloy-tuloy.”

Carlos,who also spends a lot of time with her students at the Bianca Carlos Badminton Academy (BCBA), said regular training even during the pandemic was another key to success.

“Our players came from different parts of the country. We have players from Cagayan, Ilocos, Baguio and Laguna. Lahat sila hindi naman taga-Manila. But before the Japan tournament, I gathered all of them here in Manila dahil lahat naman online schooling pa naman. So we were able to train as a team.”

Carlos admitted selecting the members of the national junior team was not easy.

“Actually, we don’t have an official national junior team yet. So when the PSC asked us to form the team, what we did was to select the players na may mga recent achievements na at may mga passports. A month before the tournament, Coach Joper Escueta and Coach Rosman Rasak helped me make a list of junior players with achievements in recent months.Talagang tinignan namin yun mga record. Tapos isa-isa na namin silang kinontak.”

“And before kami nag-Japan, nagkaroon ng age-group tournament, so nagkaroon ng pagkakataon kami na makita yung mga laro nila. Luckily, every age bracket may nakuha tayong achievers.

These kids are really very talented and ready to compete n Japan.”

Both Fuentespina and Hernandez, who accompanied Carlos during the weekly online forum, savored the sweet taste of success in their first major international competition.

“Para po sa amin na first time na makapag-international competition, we’re very surprised na hindi naman pala tayo nalalayo sa mga skills ng ibang players, especially the Japanese players. They are actually very friendly. Competitive sila sa court pero paglabas ng court, sobrang friendly nila. Kaya walang pressure,” said Fuentespina, who took up badminton at the age of six.

“Lagi ngang sinasabi ni Coach Bianca, ‘wag namin isipin yun pressure. Just enjoy the game. Manalo or matalo, give our best.”

Said Hernandez: “Magandang experience sa aming lahat itong tournament sa Japan, lalo na hindi naman namin ini-expect na makakapag-uwi kami ng silver medal..”

“Relax lang and just do our best. Yun naman ang mantra namin lagi sa team,” stressed Hernandez, who grew up in a famly of badminton players.

Carlos and the two players also agreed that the support of the MVP Sports Foundation and Smart opened the door to more young and talented players under the Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD).

“They never stopped supporting us sa lahat ng kailangan namin from food, allowances, air fare, hotel accommodation, trainining expenses. That’s why I really think that coaches and athletes should also pay it forward.” With reports from Gab Ferreras