The UP Men’s Badminton Varsity Team faces an uphill battle heading into UAAP Season 89. Following a historic silver-medal run that defied expectations last season, the Fighting Maroons must now navigate a rebuilding phase after losing key members of their championship-contending roster.
Photo by Angeline San Pedro/ UP Fighting Maroons Club
Last season, UP broke a frustrating streak of three consecutive bronze-medal finishes. In a thrilling postseason campaign, the team pulled off a monumental semifinal upset against the then-defending champions, the National University (NU) Bulldogs. While the Fighting Maroons ultimately fell short against a dominant Ateneo de Manila University side in the UAAP Season 88 Finals, their achievement gave the Diliman-based shuttlers a foundation to build on.
However, sustaining that momentum will be no easy feat following the departure of four key players: Jewel Albo, Kervin Llanes, Mark Bernal, and JM Estrada. Each brought a distinct contribution to UP’s game, from shaping its on-court strategy to providing the leadership and cohesion that held the team together.
Clar Takes the Lead
Photo from: The UAAP
Carrying much of that responsibility is Season 87 Rookie of the Year Shan Clar, the sole returning singles player from last season’s lineup and the team’s new captain. With Albo and Llanes gone, Clar becomes a key figure in UP’s bid to remain competitive in the singles matches while leading a roster entering a new era. Once poised to follow in the footsteps of the “King and Prince Maroon,” he now has the opportunity to forge his own legacy, stepping up not only as a key point-getter but also as a leader tasked with keeping the Fighting Maroons together.
When asked about the pressure heading into the season, Clar acknowledged that expectations have been a constant throughout his journey with the Fighting Maroons.
“From the very start ng stay ko as a student-athlete in UP, pressure has always been a whole experience for me, both good and bad. It molded me to a person who is capable of achieving despite obstacles. Ngayon na andito ako bilang captain, panibagong experience siya. As someone na palaging may sariling mundo, it feels intimidating and fulfilling,” he shared.
Despite being the only returning singles player from Season 88, Clar said his biggest concern is not meeting external expectations but ensuring that his sacrifices translate into his performance on the court.
“Being the only singles player returning from last season, di ako pressured sa expectations ng mga tao sa akin. I’m more scared na di ko mabigay lahat after all the sacrifices, and I think it’s a good thing to carry throughout sa games. To give my best kahit ano mangyari,” he said.
Now in his third year, Clar leads a lineup of returning veterans, young talents, and fellow third-years stepping back onto the UAAP stage. Despite the changes, he remains confident in what the team can accomplish, describing this season’s squad as special.
“I think not just the lineup but the whole team this season. It’s special. We’ve gone through many challenges and overcome it with shared efforts. I’m most proud kung paano namin pinagdaanan ang hirap. The team is ready to show the UP community what [we are] capable of,” he shared.
UP’s men’s badminton team enters Season 89 in a rebuilding phase, but it is far from starting from scratch. While several new faces join the roster, returning players bring valuable experience and refined skills, while the newcomers add fresh energy and determination to sustain the Fighting Maroons’ campaign.
For Clar and the team, however, success this season goes beyond the results. Their priority is to give their best on the court and prove that UP remains a force to reckon with.
“For the team, yung pinaka-goal namin is to give our best whatever the results may be. Yung mapakita talaga namin na di basta-basta ang UP,” he said.
As captain, Clar carries the responsibility of leading a team through transition. On an individual level, however, his goal remains grounded in the very spirit that brought him here: to compete, contribute, and fight until the end.
“Personally, pinakagoal ko is mapakita ko ang laro ko at makapag-contribute sa team and to bring the UP Fight till the very end.”
With Clar leading the charge, the Fighting Maroons enter Season 89 with a reconfigured lineup and an opportunity to establish a new identity. Joining him are fellow third-years Josh Dupet and Joshua Martinez, who also competed for UP in Season 87, alongside seniors Raydric Abinales and Enzo Rivera, who return from the same season. Last season’s mainstays Arjay Lazareto, Ryan Mendoza, and Kian Cruz will also be back, while newcomers Jerard Borgador and JM Amerodin join the lineup as UP begins another chapter in its campaign.
The road ahead will demand adjustments, consistency, and collective effort. But with a mix of familiar faces and new talent, the Fighting Maroons have the opportunity to turn the challenges of rebuilding into a foundation for growth. As they take the court this season, Clar and his teammates will look to make the most of every match, carry the UP Fight forward, and show that last season’s breakthrough was only the beginning.
KFC & Jiang Nan Hotpot
