With the conclusion of the recent 2023 Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) meet, where the Visayas State University capped a golden finish, bagging a total of 89 golds, let us relive the glorious momentum of Viscan Pythons, whose dominance was on full display throughout the competition, continuing their legacy with back-to-back brilliance, excellence, and honor.
The now two-time Regional SCUAA Defending Champions from the VSU Pythons’ Badminton Men’s and Women’s divisions and the Table Tennis Women’s division have again conquered a golden peak, carving an illustrious two-year run of pure skill mastery, tournament supremacy, and immense winning mentality.
Two years of dominion, two years of winning action
It all started back on November 29, 2022, when these athletes were called for the golden opportunity to proudly carry the green and gold banner of VSU to compete with other SUC’s along with their rackets as instruments to materialize a dream—a dream of gold. The 2022 Regional SCUAA Meet was held at Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), where weather conditions were grim, which forced these athletes to relocate to various locations to compete despite the weather’s disturbance. These athletes did not hunker down and did not shy away from fierce competition. They embraced it. They were barely known heading towards the tournament, but their names echoed at every side, in every corner, and in every inch of the university as they brought fear into their enemy’s eyes.
Now, on our home grounds, these athletes were called again to carry the banner, wear the colors of VSU, and represent the university in a much more grueling battle in the 2023 Regional SCUAA, dated October 22–27, 2023. With their recent stint at the 2023 National SCUAA, where the Badminton Men’s and Women’s divisions bagged bronze while the Table Tennis Women’s division fell short of a medal finish, these athletes came in with twice the hunger and vindication.
Both categories in the Badminton event, and the Women’s Table Tennis went on a commanding undefeated run to defend their titles. In spite of their dominant stint, their path was far from easy at all. They’ve had some thrilling battles, lost some sets, and gotten blown out, but their spirit never faltered. They did what champions do best: find a way to win regardless of how bleak the situation is, and they did just that. They slowly but surely carved their way back to the championship round, which resulted in a fruitful golden glory as they jumped out of joy, shouted, and passionately smiled, epitomizing all that hard work and late-night training while juggling academics, resulting in a wonderful display of expertise and dominance.
A Golden Opportunity, A Golden Glory
The Badminton Men’s and Women’s categories are a formidable group of talented individuals in the sport, establishing themselves as the best in the whole region. Under the expert guidance of Coach Aldrin Palermo, the men’s team showcased the talents of Carl Vianney Castil, Ray Vincent Falle, Arhiz Lisondra, Dale Joshua Penaso, and Martin Michael Angelo R. Valenzona, while the women’s group, led by Coach Edilberto Artiga Jr. with his unmatched passion for his team, exhibited the talents of Melanne Sacro, Elaine Faye Esperanza, Ella Marie Esperanza, Rachelle Anne Evangelista, and Joan Fay Libutan.
The Table Tennis Women’s team was also a league of their own, proving themselves as the best women’s table tennis team in the whole region as well. With Coach Dr. Christy M. Desades steadfast support and guidance, the talented women’s roster consisted of Lara Jetcah Tulin, Adorlyd Managbanag, Jess Rica Caintic, Niña Joy Pacabis, Deina Ela Carrasco, and Karyl Mae Inong.
These three teams prove to be an embodiment of this year’s SCUAA theme, “Hinabing Kusog: Weaving Strengths,” as they weave their strengths together to achieve this remarkable feat. With their heads hailed high, unbent will, unfaltering spirit, and unwavering determination, they were able to conquer not just their opponents but also themselves—a back-to-back golden glory.