The Far Eastern University FEU Tamaraws survived The University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 3-2, in the UAAP Season 78 Badminton Tournament. The Morayta-based squad tried to push from behind but it was too late to grab the victory from FEU.
The game started with AJ David being the first blood, as John Mark Maquelabit of FEU destroyed his opponent with a long run in the first set, 16-21. David tried to smash his way up, getting an early lead but Maquelabit gets the win, 21-23. AJ Manlangit was more determined, gaining the first set of the second double’s game from FEU’s Rafael Dionisio, 21-18. However, Dionisio attacked back fiercely in the second and third, and took hold of the win, 16-21 and 19-21.
Supposed to be the game changer of the match-up for UE against FEU, it did not end well as duo King Espiritu and Clarence Camacho struggled with Estarco Bacalso and Vince Lagnada, 15-21 and 17-21. Even though this game marked the defeat of the Red Warriors, they did not lose their confidence and answered back with back-to-back wins in the last two games of the day.
The Kenneth Cruz-Manalangit tandem, used all their might to make the Maquelabit-Dionisio pair surrender in the second doubles’ match, 24-22, 14-21 and 21-15. The third singles was a nail-biter when Espiritu lost the first set to Justine Tercias of FEU, 18-21. However, Red Warrior Espiritu did not admit defeat easily as he takes Tercias down in the next sets, 21-17 and 21-13.
Although both teams fought hard in this UAAP Season, it was not enough to garner a spot in the top 4 of the tourney. FEU ended up in the 6th place, while UE came last.
