In both schools’ last tie in the elimination round of the UAAP Season 78 Women’s Badminton Tournament, DLSU prevailed over FEU having won 4-1. The win gives DLSU a twice-to-beat advantage heading into the final four after UP swept all their ties and invoked the step-ladder format. On the other hand, FEU will have to make do with a playoff tie against ADMU to earn the right to face DLSU.
Arianne Rivera (DLSU) started the tone of this tie winning straight games versus FEU’s Thea Pomar with scores of 21-17 and 21-16. Both competitors held their own against each other only for Rivera to pull through in the end of both games.
Michal Duquilla then pulled one back for FEU after beating DLSU’s Iyah Sevilla. It was a lopsided win for Duquilla for the first game as Sevilla failed to find a way to impose herself. The La Salle rookie gave in to Duquilla, losing 21-11. The second game was a closer encounter than the first but Duquilla was still able to hold off Sevilla, eventually winning 21-19.
The first doubles match was a three game bout between the DLSU tandem of Alyssa Leonardo and Kristelle Salatan and FEU’s Thea Pomar and Hanah Tutud. The first game was was won by Pomar and Tudtud with a score of 21-16. DLSU then won the second and third games with scores of 21-13 and 21-17 respectively. It was a match of momentum with FEU looking shell shocked after DLSU won the second game. FEU recovered come the third game but Leonardo and Salatan remained calm and pulled through in the end.
Nicole Albo and Aires Montilla (DLSU) went up against FEU duo Duquilla and Maridel Rivera. Unlike the first singles match, DLSU only needed two games to dispatch FEU. Albo and Montilla won the close first game with a score of 21-19. Albo and Sevilla then improved and won the second game with a much higher score of 21-10. The Lady Tamaraws were just outclassed come the second game. DLSU winning this tie assured them of finishing second in the standings.
Albo and Tudtud returned for DLSU and FEU respectively for the last match of the tie. Despite winning the match 21-18 and 21-15, DLSU suffered an injury scare with Albo experiencing back spasms while playing. Even with pain, Albo was still fit enough to repel Tudtud’s attacks and give DLSU the icing on the cake for their tie.
DLSU now awaits the winner of the knockout between FEU and Ateneo.
