Seasons are not remembered only for their final standings, but for the standards they set and the questions they leave behind. Some campaigns end with a title, others with lessons that shape what comes next. For teams on the brink, the space between falling short and breaking through often becomes the most crucial part of the journey.

In Season 87, the Lady Batters finished with a 5–3 record and placed fourth overall. A mark was built not on easy wins, but on tightly contested games and disciplined performances. Their run was defined by competitiveness and consistency, with each matchup demanding execution and composure.

Now, as a new campaign begins, the focus shifts from what nearly happened to what can be built from it: a transition that frames the outlook for the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Batters this upcoming University Athletic Association (UAAP) Season 88 Softball Tournament.

Pre-season Preparations Powered by Depth

For team captain Jazmin Andrei “Andeng” Visaya, adjustment has been central to the Lady Batters’ pre-season buildup. Under head coach Jasper Cabrera, the team experimented with position changes to improve on-field flexibility. At the same time, the addition of rookies helped strengthen depth and overall chemistry through tune-up games in Laguna and Batangas. “Hindi naman naging mahirap adjustment ng rookies, madali silang i-approach at turuan. Ang bilis nila maka-adapt,” Visaya shared, noting how quickly the newcomers blended into the system.

She also pointed out how different this year’s preparation has been compared to last season. The expanded roster, she explained, has made rotations and training management more sustainable.

Visaya emphasized how depth has changed the team dynamic: “Last year’s preparations were very, very hard for us. This year, ang laking factor na ang dami namin. Pag pinaguusapan nga namin, mas nakakapagod talaga yung last year. Wala kaming kapalitan. Kami at kami lang.”

Visaya leads her team alongside co-captain Julianne Moral and the rest of their junior and senior core, who are responsible for mentoring their rookies and carrying lessons from the past season. She expressed fondness for the newcomers, noting that their mindset and openness have made it easier to build collaboration and team chemistry.

Mindset Drives the Mission

With their eyes fixed on the goal, Visaya shared the Lady Batters’ guiding principle this season: every game is a championship game. Reflecting on their campaign in Season 87, she shares that it’s a blueprint for how they moved forward to build their mental strength going into the new season. “Last season was full of ‘almosts,’ kahit yung podium, almost,” she remarked. Despite that, she emphasized her pride in the team for enduring its challenges and competing wholeheartedly.

The Lady Batters are driven by the ghosts of last season, falling just one place shy of the podium after losing the bronze in a 7–8 match against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Softbelles in Season 87. But beyond the motivation to improve on last season’s result, the Lady Batters draw strength from the trust within the team and from their coaching staff. “Never once did I hear a negative mindset sa kanila [coaches], sila ang nagbuild ng puso namin,” Visaya said of their coaches. The Lady Batters are led by head coach Cabrera, along with assistant coaches Isaac Bacarisas and Lito Hernandez.

Pressed on what sustains them during difficult innings, Visaya underscored the team’s insistence on finishing strong. “Hindi kami bibigay agad,” she said, emphasizing that the game is never over before the seventh inning concludes. Visaya stressed the importance of learning to be consistent, noting that it was a major area for improvement from the last season, which led to their struggles. For the Lady Batters, composure and persistence remain non-negotiable.

When asked what separates them from the rest of the field, including rivals like defending champions Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons, Visaya was clear: talent alone is not the difference-maker. “Skill will always be there. Pero yung puso, yun ang nilalaban namin.”

For the Lady Batters, last season’s disappointments belong in the past. With months of preparation behind them, both physically and mentally, they enter the new campaign intent on taking the next step.

What Comes Next

What lies ahead is no longer about potential, but about conversion. The Lady Batters have spent months strengthening their depth and sharpening their mentality; now, the season asks whether those lessons can withstand pressure in decisive moments. This time, they seek to dictate the outcome rather than react to it.

“Grabe yung eagerness namin this season na maka-podium,” Visaya said. Confident in what the team has shown in training and pre-season play, she added, “Masasabi ko na ready na kami maglaro.”

More than just determination and readiness, she emphasized a shift in identity. The Lady Batters are approaching the season without the weight of an underdog mentality, choosing instead to compete with assurance in their preparation and trust in one another. With little to lose and much to prove, they set their sights on bringing home the championship finish they know and believe Taft deserves.

“For the Lasallian Community, pinapangako namin na maguuwi kami ng medal. Hindi kami aalis ng Rizal Stadium na walang medal.”

The DLSU Lady Batters return to UAAP action on Tuesday, February 22, opening their redemption tour at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, where their first challengers await them.

Their first round schedule is as follows:

DLSU vs UST — February 22
DLSU vs AdMU — February 28
DLSU vs UP — March 3
DLSU vs AdU — March 10