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Tiebreaker Times

La Salle upends rivals Ateneo in injury-marred tilt


De La Salle University Lady Shuttlers defeated an injury-plagued Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, 4–1.

DLSU’S Ariane Rivera received the win in the first singles match after third-year veteran, Trixie Malibiran, went down with an injury in the third game of their match.

In the first game, Malibiran went ahead, 4–3, but in the succeeding play, fell on the court after experiencing pain. The former champion rose up after shaking off the injury, and even strung up five unanswered points. It proved to be crucial as ADMU nosed ahead, 21–11. Rivera then wrestled control of the following frame and mounted a seven point lead. DLSU powered through, and finished off the game to leveled the match, 1 game apiece. Visibly in pain, Malibiran pulled through with just adrenaline keeping her in the deciding game. With Rivera leading, 12–7, the Ateneo veteran went down and heard a pop in her knee. Her coaches, Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion, decided to retire Malibiran before the injury got worse.UAAPS78-Womens-Badminton-Malibiran-Injury La Salle upends rivals Ateneo in injury-marred tilt  - philippine sports news

Motivated by what happened to her batchmate, Bianca Carlos unleashed her usual powerful game to upend rookie Angela Sevilla in two games. The top national player led 11–2 going into the break, and did not give La Salle any chance. Carlos cruised past the next rallies to take the game, 21–10. Sevila went toe-to-toe against the former Rookie-Most Valuable Player in the following frame. After a deadlock at 14, Ateneo stepped up and took the match, 21–14.
The first doubles match was also forfeited in favor of the Lady Archers, as Malibiran was originally lined up to compete. Thus, after three matches, DLSU led 2 matches to 1.

Long-time partners, Kristelle Salatan and Alyssa Leonardo, made sure the Green and White would secure the victory as they defeated Carlos and rookie Geva De Vera in the second doubles match. DLSU marched to a 10–6 lead, before Ateneo attempted to keep the scores close. The Taft-based duo pulled through after a tight tail-end to clinch the game, 21–19. The La Sallians built a huge 10-point lead, 14–4, and finished stronger to get the game and the match, 21–13.

Rookie Nicole Albo pulled through two sets to close the tie for DLSU in straight games over Cassie Lim. After a tight start in the first game, Albo made short work of the Atenean after stringing up scores in bundles to take the frame, 21–13. Lim snatched the lead in the following game going into the break, 11–8. The Lady Eagle took control of the next few rallies, then secured the game to level the match, 21–16. Like what happened in the previous frames, the one who got to the break ahead won the game. Albo led 11–7 and never looked back to win the game and the match, 21–16.

Grew to appreciate various sports from tennis to judo. True-maroon kiddo since the new millennium. Fanboy. Singer. Occasional sports writer.


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