Ivan Tuazon shone brightest as the University of Santo Tomas completed the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Badminton Team Event Final Four cast, defeating De La Salle University, 3–2, in their playoff tie on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
In a battle between two universities looking to re-establish themselves among the league’s elite, the Golden Shuttlers secured their fourth Final Four appearance in five seasons after missing out on the semifinals last year.
Once again, they had fourth-year standout Tuazon to thank, as the team captain came through in the deciding singles rubber against rookie Huego Queddeng, 21–17, 23–21, in an action-packed 54-minute battle.
“Yung last season po is sobrang sayang kasi may mga seniors po na umalis and hindi na naglaro this season,” said the 22-year-old captain. “It was a good fight with La Salle last year, but I know this year mas matibay sila pero handa kaming makipaglaban.
“Lagi ko lang din sinasabi sa teammates ko na ibigay na namin lahat ng kayang ibigay kasi once a year lang ang UAAP,” Tuazon added.
Almost two years ago, the Agusan National High School product also sent UST into the Final Four at the expense of the same DLSU squad, dominating Joshua Fajilan, 21–10, 21–12.
“Siguro naging motivation ko rin ‘yung nangyari two seasons ago. Sabi ko, kung nagawa ko ‘yon last, last season, mas magagawa ko nang buo at mas handa,” Tuazon shared.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
The Golden Shuttlers had to dig deep, however, as the Green Shuttlers struck first.
Last season’s Rookie of the Year, Lovic Javier, asserted his mastery of Aaron Bedaña to put DLSU ahead with a 21–9, 21–11 victory, drawing cheers from the green-clad side of the crowd.
However, one of the leading candidates for this season’s Rookie of the Year award, UST’s Clark Brillantes, delivered another crucial performance.
The rookie out of Arellano University needed three games and a magical shot to save a match point in the second game before eventually overcoming Joshua Cuarte, 16–21, 22–20, 21–17.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
UST stalwarts Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor then extended their pair’s winning streak with a second consecutive victory over the rising tandem of Rey Nier Dalimo-Os and Aj Lorenz Jurada in the first doubles match, 21–14, 23–21. The result built on their encounter less than 24 hours earlier.
Karl Contreras and Gift Linaban, however, kept DLSU’s hopes alive with a 23–21, 21–14 sweep of John Vincent Espinoza and Manuel Fulmentera, setting up the decisive showdown between Tuazon and Queddeng.
Standing in the way of UST’s bid to reclaim its place among the league’s elite is undefeated National University, which awaits the Golden Shuttlers in the Final Four for a place in the championship round.
The contest is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 a.m. at the same Mandaluyong venue.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University will battle for the other spot in the championship tie in a simultaneously held matchup.
