Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

ADMU

Defending the Fort: Lady Maroons complete comeback, keep title-defense alive


You can never deny the heart of a champion

Reigning back-to-back champions University of the Philippines turned the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall into their stage after completing an epic comeback and upending challengers Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, 3-2, Wednesday afternoon.

With the lineup playing an important factor in a team tie, the Lady Maroons won the chess battle this time.

Ateneo took the upper hand when they clinched the first two singles matches. Sophomore Samantha Ramos and team captain Bianca Carlos swept their respective opponents to get the 2-0 lead.

Ramos waylaid UAAP 77 Rookie of the Year Ann Marañon, 21-11, 21-14. The Ateneo newbie dominated during the middle portions of both frames to claim the decisive win.

In the second singles, Carlos bullied her way past Gelita Castilo for two 21-15 score lines. The Queen Eagle proved her billing against her predecessor as she pulled away from tight starts to secure the match.

Just when Ateneo knocked on the championship door, UP shut it.

Poca Alcala and Jessie Francisco easily took care of their first doubles assignment, 21-13, 21-15, against Geva De Vera and Cassie Lim.

The Maroons were firing on all fronts, forcing Ateneo to errors, before killing the rally with a variety of shots. Errors from the Loyola pair more than sealed their doom.

In the second doubles match, Lea Inlayo and Castilo threatened to put away Chanel Lunod and Carlos early with a huge 18-12 lead. The Ateneo tandem, however, claimed point after point to force deuce and eventually steal the first game at 22-20, as the Blue and White gallery erupted in cheers.

#ReadMore  TNC rallies back vs Fnatic in DPC, punches ticket to AniMajor

Nevertheless, with the title on the line, the battle-tested Maroon duo prevailed. Inlayo and Castilo never looked back despite the strong challenge of the opponents. UP consequently won the match at 21-16, 21-12.

It again boiled down to the third singles match, and team captain Alcala thought of one thing.

“Ang pinaka nag-push sa min, ako ha, lagi sa sarili ko na, ‘I will do whatever it takes to defend the title.’ I won’t let anything get in the way of that.”

That determination was evident in her comprehensive conquest of last tie’s heroine Trixie Malibiran. The lanky UP skipper overpowered her counterpart to the tune of a 21-10, 21-14 victory.

Alcala had therefore steered her squad to another chance at that third consecutive UAAP crown.

Coach Melvin Llanes credited the heart shown by his players even when their backs were against the wall.

“Yun yung puhunan namin nung doubles at last singles, nung umabot na sa dulo, talagang puso na lang at gusto naming maging three-time na champion,” he said.

Who will emerge as champions this year? The winner-take-all tie is slated on Saturday, right after the men’s tie at the same venue.

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


You May Also Like

Badminton

Ariel Magnaye has been a champion for most of his life, collecting titles in both national and international tournaments. The current head coach of...

Badminton

Susmita Ramos once sat inside the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall, watching University of the Philippines secure the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Badminton title. The...

Badminton

University of the Philippines has long held a dominant presence in UAAP badminton, boasting a league-leading 16 titles before Season 87. However, the Fighting...

ADMU

University of the Philippines captured a long-awaited UAAP Women’s Badminton crown, dethroning defending, ‘four-peat’ champion Ateneo de Manila University with a decisive 3-1 victory...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines have set up a third consecutive championship showdown after defeating their respective opponents in the...

Badminton

In UAAP Season 81, National University achieved its first-ever win against Ateneo de Manila University in women’s badminton. For the Lady Bulldogs, led by...

ADMU

University of the Philippines completed a preliminary round sweep, securing the top ranking in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Badminton Tournament Final Four with...

ADMU

Karyll Rio propelled National University into the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Badminton Final Four in style, snapping the 26-tie winning streak of defending champion...

Advertisement