UAAP

IN HIGH-LEVEL competition, toughness is rarely measured by volume or bravado. More often, it shows up in preparation, in restraint, and in the ability to stay composed when margins tighten and expectations rise.

This Women’s Month, three Filipina athletes supported by Smart Sports, competing in badminton, golf, and volleyball, offer a clear picture of how that toughness is formed and sustained. Professional golfer Sam Bruce, top badminton player Mika De Guzman, and Queen Falcon Shaina Nitura operate in very different arenas, but their approach to competition reveals common ground: discipline over drama, process over impulse, and resilience under pressure.

Consistency as a competitive edge

In badminton, where rallies can stretch and decisions are made in seconds, control is everything. For Mika De Guzman — 32nd SEA Games bronze medalist, Top 168 international, and 3x UAAP MVP in women’s badminton — toughness begins with understanding the true demands of the sport.

“A lot of people think badminton is an easy sport,” she says. “But honestly, I don’t think they see how much physically demanding it is and how mentally challenging badminton is.”

18 years of joining international and local competitions have shaped her into a player who rarely gives opponents an easy opening. Rather than relying on force, she relies on stability. “I would say my consistency when it matters,” Mika explains.

That consistency becomes most visible in pressure situations. “People expect the physical side, but they don’t always see how composed and steady I stay when there’s high pressure,” she adds. When momentum threatens to shift, her response is measured. “I would focus on one point and play one gameplay at a time.” In her game, toughness is reflected in the composure that holds until the final point.

Discipline across long demands

Meanwhile, in golf, competition unfolds more slowly, but the pressure is no less intense. Rounds are long, conditions change, and mistakes linger. A competitor in the Epson Tour in the U.S., and the Ladies European Tour, as well as the Champion of the ICTSI Pradera Verde Championship (LPGT) in 2025, Sam Bruce has learned that toughness in her sport is defined by restraint as much as strength.

“I would say I’m one of the longer hitters out there,” she says. Distance gives her an advantage, reshaping how holes are played and approached. “My second shots are a little bit easier—I can potentially get it closer to the hole because my first shot is already closer.”

But power alone does not sustain performance. What defines her game is how she responds when things do not go according to plan. “With my game, it’s like—if something doesn’t go my way, it’s okay,” Sam explains. “What can I do to move forward?”

Graduated magna cum laude from Seattle University with a degree in Computer Science and a minor in Data Science and Business, Sam successfully achieved all of this while competing in golf.

“It was very much knowing what my priorities were, and finding ways to do my tasks very efficiently, because golf is very time-consuming, and then with computer science, it’s very project-heavy.”

Pressure is a constant at the professional level, and she has learned to meet it directly. “You have to recognize the stress, the pressure, and then you have to let it go right away,” she says. “The only thing I can control is my routine.” That steadiness, repeated over every shot, keeps her competitive across tournaments where patience is often the deciding factor.

Resilience in real time

On the other hand, volleyball offers little time for reflection. Matches move quickly, and momentum can shift within a single rally. For Adamson Outside Hitter and UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year Shaina Nitura, toughness has been shaped by learning how to respond immediately.

Earlier in her career, she was frequently targeted by opposing teams. “Before, ako yung tina target,” she recalls. “So, I worked on it… and then I’ll prove them wrong.”

That experience sharpened her mental approach. “I really believe na ang pinakamahirap mong kalaban is yourself,” Shaina says. “How do I respond sa mga situation na hindi na maganda?” When pressure rises, she resets with intention. “I pray, and I leave everything to God,” she adds. “Then play again.” She had set the UAAP all-time single-season scoring record and the highest single-game score in the league’s history.

A standard shaped by experience

Across badminton, golf, and volleyball, a consistent picture emerges. These athletes have earned their place, even as broader perceptions about their sports, playing styles, or expressions of toughness continue to evolve. What defines them—and sets them apart—is a form of competitive strength built on discipline, purposeful preparation, and mental resilience that remains steady as pressure builds, making them such formidable opponents.

That foundation is strengthened by systems that support long-term athlete development. Through Smart Sports and Puso Pilipinas, sustained backing enables training, international exposure, and continued growth.

“Supporting athletes like Sam, Mika, and Shaina is about more than winning medals,” says Jude Turcuato, FVP at Smart Communications, Inc. and Head of Smart Sports. “It’s about building an environment where Filipina athletes can train, compete, and grow with confidence.”

Passing it on

For all three athletes, toughness is not only something to demonstrate, but something to share.

“You don’t have to be loud to be powerful. Because strength can be quiet,” Mika says. “What matters most is your discipline, your consistency, and how you show up every day.”

Sam encourages younger Filipinas to aim higher. “Be ambitious. Dream. Make your dreams as big as they can be,” she says. “Don’t let anything stop you from achieving what you want.”

Shaina’s message is about persistence. “The easiest thing to do is give up,” she says. “So instead of choosing that, just keep trying.”

Different sports, different paths—but one clear message this Women’s Month: toughness is built over time, tested under pressure, and carried forward by Filipinas who continue to compete, endure, and lead by example.