They are at it again.
The third-seeded Ateneo de Manila University Lady Blue Eagles preyed on Final Four debutants National University Lady Bulldogs in a three-match sweep, en route to advancing to the semifinals of UAAP Season 92, Sunday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Queen Eagle Bianca Carlos commenced the sweep with a decisive win over Mitzi Pantoja in the first singles match, 21-10, 21-8. The two-time MVP scored in bunches and never looked back against the NU sophomore. Carlos tried some shots which led to errors, giving Pantoja her points. Nonetheless, the Atenean’s command of the match never faltered as she clinched the lead at 1-0.
Former Ateneo team captain Trixie Malibiran showed her lethal form in a similar victory against Marinel Diansay in the second singles match. The Lady Eagle consistently converted her patented drops, catching the Bustillos player’s late reactions. With momentum, the Loyola School standout closed out the match in two games, 21-9, 21-11.
Geva De Vera and Cassie Lim then threatened to end the match early as they powered their way through the first game of the first (and lone) doubles match at 21-14 against Jhayvin Dizon and Kezziah Cuilao. Lim peppered the defense with strong power drives, ending the game with one that Dizon failed to return.
Errors doomed the Lady Eagles in the second frame. Miscue after miscue from the Blue and White were all that the Lady Bulldogs needed to get their groove on. Dizon and Cuilao capitalized on the situation, as a smart shot from the latter went De Vera’s way. The second-year Atenean went for a push, but her shot hit the net. NU forced the decider with a 21-19 in the second.
At the start of the deciding game, both pairs fought toe-to-toe. Trailing 6-7, Lim took the opportunity to hit it strong towards an empty spot on NU’s court. The powerful drive accidentally caught Dizon’s left eye, which temporarily affected her vision. Dizon eventually returned after receiving medical attention.
The situation made it difficult for the third-year Lady Bulldog, as her errors compounded NU’s woes. Ateneo slowly built momentum and never looked back, as Lim and De Vera put an end to their opponents’ Cinderella run at 21-14.
“Well, I think it’s just a few reminders lang to them,” Ateneo head coach Kennie Asuncion said about the gameplan of the team going into the game. “Kasi sila din naman, they really want it. We have the same goal. They really want to go for the win, so we do our best.”
The former national team standout also believes that they really need to look at who to field in their semifinal tussle against archrivals De La Salle University Lady Green Shuttlers.
“Siyempre, [it is] really important so we have to think about it. We need to check all the matches din kung ano yung trend; so we’ll know who to face,” she added.
The stepladder semifinals between the Lady Green Shuttlers and the Lady Eagles will be played on Wednesday at 1:00pm at the same venue. If Ateneo win, the winner-take-all tie is scheduled on Saturday.
