Ateneo de Manila University kept its unblemished slate afloat after a 4-1 finish of fellow title contender National University in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Badminton tournament on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
Season 86 co-MVP Jochelle Alvarez made a successful return in singles play to sweep her assignments against the Lady Bulldogs, and powered the Blue Eagles to a share of the lead with two successive wins.
Alvarez and Mika De Guzman restored Ateneo’s advantage with a 21-11, 21-15 victory over Hailene Diaz and Naeomi Gupany in the first doubles match. The Ateneo co-captain then wrapped up the victory 21-16, 21-14 sweep of Karylle Rio.
Following their skippers’ lead, Althea Fuentespina and Althea Hernandez secured the victory for the Season 86 champions, taking down Ysabel Amora and Gwyneth Desacola, 21-19, 14-21, 21-11, in the second doubles rubber.
“A good start, a good weekend for us. But we know that the next few days will be even harder. Everyone’s getting better and everyone’s out to win; so, we’re always just getting prepared,” said Blue Eagles’ coach Roy Callanta.
De Guzman earlier put Ateneo on the board with a quick work of Diaz, 21-13, 21-7, but Amora took one back for NU at the expense of Althea Ocampo, 17-21, 21-12, 21-17.
“We want to see the same intensity, same game play, and same attitude inside the court. We won’t back down and we’ll always give our best,” Callanta added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, Adamson University completed a 3-2 upset of University of Santo Tomas to bag its first win since Season 82 — a similar 3-2 victory over University of the East.
Key Aubrey Fuerte unlocked the elusive win for the Lady Falcons over UST senior Charlize Belen, 21-14, 13-21, 21-12, in the third and final singles match after the two squads split the first four matches.
Adamson’s Abbygail Barcelona opened the tie with the win for her side, 21-12, 1921, 21-15, over Reshane Nicor. However. Hanie De Jesus quickly levelled for UST with a 21-12, 21-18 sweep of Khylle Agura.
Barcelona then teamed up with Rhealyn Pedron with a stunner over Christine Dorega and Rhafi Anne Santos to reclaim the advantage for the San Marcelino-based squad, 13-21, 21-14, 21-19.
Lady Shutlers’ Marielle Alvarez and Jennifer Saladaga restored parity in the following doubles rubber, 21-11, 21-15 over Graziel Cabriga and Nicole Ondol to set up the decider.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Defending champion University of the Philippines completed the list of the day’s victors following a 3-2 decision over De La Salle University, thanks to the composure from seniors Kimberly Lao and Anthea Gonzalez in the first doubles match.
The heroines of last year’s title conquest channelled their championship heart in the second-set marathon to stop Army Espe and Mia Manguilimotan and to clinch the win, 21-15, 29-27. The result likewise put the Diliman-based side in first place at 2-0.
Gonzalez and rookie Brys Fuggan set up the win following wins in the first two singles matches. The reigning MVP, Gonzalez, shook off a first-set setback with a 21-23, 21-3, 21-10 take of Ghiselle Bautista, while Fuggan ran roughshod over fellow newcomer Kim Lagare, 21-9, 21-15.
The Lady Green Shuttlers, though, closed the day with two wins.
Via Antonio and Bautista turned back the Fighting Maroons rookie pair of Shei Dela Cruz and Krissa De Leon, 21-16, 21-23, 21-16. Meanwhile, Zashca Tuario pulled off a shocking 13-21, 21-14, 21-16 victory over Susmita Ramos.
NU and Adamson are in joint third with identical 1-1 records, while UST and De La Salle remain winless after two rounds.
The qualifying rounds continue on Wednesday at 1:00 PM, still at the same Malate venue.
The Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons will go for their third straight against the Lady Falcons and the Lady Shuttlers, respectively. The Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Green Shuttlers will battle in the other tie.
