ALTHOUGH disappointed by the cancellation of UAAP Season 82, a member of the 10-peat-seeking Adamson Lady Batters is ready to move on and pay it forward.
Pitcher Arlyn Bautista told The Prospects Pod that regardless of what the league decides on the eligibility of the "super seniors," she will hang her gloves for good.
"Para sa akin, siguro ok na po yung anim na taon ko na paglalaro," the 24-year-old said.
Bautista has been an integral part of Adamson's dynastic run in UAAP softball which saw the San Marcelino crew take home the last nine gold medals.
This season was supposed to crown the Lady Batters' decade-long dominance until the global COVID-19 pandemic struck out that bid.
"Nakakalungkot kasi ito na yung last playing year ko tapos nangyari itong pandemic na ito. Sayang yung pinaghirapan namin before ng pandemic," the four-time UAAP gold medalist rued.
Bautista, already one of the veterans for the Ana Santiago-coached side, took this athletic year as a passing of the torch of sorts, with the new blood of Adamson batters ready to step up to the plate.
"Looking forward sana ako sa Season 82 kasi mga bata na 'yung naglalaro sa amin eh. Iilan na lang kaming seniors, so kahit papaano pinaghirapan po namin saka ine-expect po talaga namin na makukuha po namin," she said.
Now, Bautista is ready to carve a new path as she teaches the sport she loves to the younger generation at Dasmarinas High School.
"Yung mga natutunan ko sa Adamson is yung pagiging mahaba ng pasensya, tsaka yung sipag at tiwala sa sarili. Huwag na huwag kang mawawalan ng tiwala sa sarili mo," she said.
Bautista hope to have the same level of success in this new endeavor as in her playing days. But she also hopes she won't cross paths with her longtime coach Santiago.
"Kung papalarin naman p na maging head coach din, why not, di ba? Kasi sobrang taas ng ganon na posisyon. Pero hindi ko po kakalabanin si coach. Mahirap kalabanin ang coach Ana Santiago," she said.
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