Le-Anne De Leon and Tia Bualat pulled through in a marathon second doubles match to keep National University undefeated, sealing a 3–2 victory over University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Badminton Tournament on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The third-year Lady Bulldogs fended off several game points in the opening set and match points in the decider to defeat Krissa De Leon and Niki Paz, 24–22, 17–21, 25–23, and give their squad a strong 2–0 start.
De Leon has seen it all in her three seasons with NU, dating back to the Season 86 upset of the same UP squad bannered by then-second-year upstart Anthea Gonzalez.
“Sobrang happy ko to be back playing on court again, kasi malaking factor ‘yung pag-sit out ko. Maraming doubts, pero sinasabi ko lang sa sarili ko na kailangan kong lumaban. Kailangan kong tapangan para sa team,” said the returning fourth-year standout, who sat out last season due to a partial Achilles tear.
“Nakita ko rin kasi ‘yung teammates ko, kung paano nila nilaban ‘yung last year. Gusto ko ring patunayan na hindi lang tiyamba ‘yon, at kaya naming gawin ulit,” De Leon added.
The Fighting Maroons drew first blood, with Pat De Leon outlasting Karyll Rio in three games, 14–21, 21–15, 21–18. Lady Bulldog captain Sab Amora then leveled the tie by defeating counterpart Susmita Ramos, 24–22, 21–15.
NU took its captain’s cue, as Hailene Diaz and Naeomi Gulpany seized the lead with a 21–17, 21–13 sweep of Kimberly Lao and the returning Dianne Libaton.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Gonzalez, the Season 87 MVP, kept the now 1–1 Fighting Maroons in contention by claiming a point against rookie Gweneth Chiva, 21–16, 21–8.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University joined NU atop the standings with a dominant 4–1 victory over archrival De La Salle University.
Angel Valle once again delivered the decisive point for the defending champions, teaming up with Daena Castro to sweep Alphecca Espe and Venice Salapong, 21–15, 21–9, in the first doubles match.
Ateneo had already taken a commanding lead after Althea Ocampo and Jochelle Alvarez won the first two singles matches.
Ocampo needed just 28 minutes to dispatch Angela Manrique, 21–13, 21–3, while Alvarez took the same amount of time to defeat Lady Tuario, 21–17, 21–9.
The Hernandez sisters, Althea and Andrea, then claimed their first UAAP victory together, sweeping Athena Villanueva and Erin Vitangcol, 21–12, 21–12, to give Ateneo a 4–0 cushion.
Ghiselle Bautista, however, averted a shutout by securing La Salle’s lone point against Fayina Dolor, 21–16, 21–10.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Adamson University also moved into a share of third place after a commanding 4–1 victory over the University of Santo Tomas, with Jennifer Ondol and Rheylyn Pedron delivering the decisive point.
The sophomore pair completed a comeback against Christine Dorega and Harlene Herbabuena, 16–21, 21–10, 21–14, to even the Lady Falcons’ record at 1–1.
Hanie De Jesus gave UST the early advantage with a come-from-behind 16–21, 21–15, 21–12 victory over Key Aubrey Fuerte in the opening singles match. However, that proved to be the only point for the Golden Tigresses as Adamson took flight.
Abby Barcelona made up for her missed opportunity the previous day by leveling the tie against Angelica Racca, 21–10, 21–7. Mary Destiny Untal and Jasmine Reformina then put the Lady Falcons ahead after escaping Marielle Alvarez and Gabrielle Ainza, 21–18, 21–19.
Rosheila Quierez completed the victory in 23 minutes, defeating Angel Vitangcol, 21–17, 21–13.
