Brys Fuggan led the University of the Philippines’ charge into the semifinals of the UAAP Season 89 women’s badminton individual competitions on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The reigning co-Rookie of the Year took care of business against her predecessor, Ateneo de Manila University’s Althea Ocampo, in just 32 minutes, 21–16, 21–13, as the Fighting Maroons sent three entries into Monday’s semifinal round.
With the remaining matches featuring entries from Ateneo, UP, and National University — the podium finishers in the team event — the results could still shake up the final individual standings.
“Ang naging mindset lang po talaga namin is kahit sino ang makatapat, we have to give our best and we have to give it our all. The outcome will always speak for it naman always. Iwan na lang namin kung ano man result, maglalaro lang po kami,” said the second-year upstart from San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
“Buong UAAP, ‘yun lang naman po ang naging mindset ko. And since nagtapat na po kami sa eliminations ni Ateng, ang ginawa ko lang po is do my best, and hangga’t hindi pa nagtu-21 — never stop, never doubt,” Fuggan added.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The 2026 MIA Badminton Cup runner-up is set to face Adamson University’s Roshella Quierez for a spot in the final. Quierez likewise secured a straight-set victory, dispatching University of Santo Tomas’ Angel Vitangcol, 21–11, 21–17.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UP co-captain Anthea Gonzalez also advanced to the last four after UST’s Angelica Racca was forced to retire due to a right ankle sprain, with Gonzalez leading 11–3 at the interval.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Season 87 MVP will face fellow graduating senior Sab Amora in the semifinals. Amora, NU’s team captain, dominated De La Salle University’s Lady Tuario, 21–8, 21–8.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Seniors Kimberly Lao and Susmita completed UP’s semifinal lineup after cruising past Marielle Alvarez and Harlene Herbabuena, 21–12, 21–11, in doubles play.
“Halos lahat kami ‘yung gustong mindset or, let’s say, mantra ng team, na parang job’s not finished,” Fuggan shared, explaining how she wants UP to approach the final two days of the season.
Ateneo, meanwhile, kept its hopes of finishing atop the overall podium alive, with both of its doubles pairs advancing to the semifinals.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Althea Hernandez and Angel Valle booked their place in the last four after asserting their mastery over NU’s Hailene Diaz and Naeomi Gulpany, 21–14, 21–18. They will face the Lao-Ramos tandem in the semifinals.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Andrea Hernandez and Dana Castro, meanwhile, denied UP a clean sweep of the semifinal berths with a come-from-behind 15–21, 21–17, 21–14 victory over the De Leon sisters, Pat and Krissa.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Adamson’s top rookie candidates, Jasmine Reformina and Mary Untal, completed the doubles semifinal cast after sweeping NU’s Tia Bualat and Lee-Anne De Leon, 21–8, 21–10. The Lady Falcons duo will take on Hernandez and Castro for a place in the final.
