The defending champions University of the Philippines Lady Maroons are showing no signs of letting up.
The current back-to-back UAAP queens showed their caliber by drubbing the upstart National University Lady Bulldogs, 5-0, for their sixth straight win of the season, and moved one win away from their third Finals appearance, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Poca Alcala started the rout with a 22-minute contest in the first singles match over Mitzi Pantoja. Despite the 21-10, 21-7 score line, the match was peppered with long rallies. However, it was the UP newbie who got the better of these points. Pantoja succumbed to errors, making it easier for her opponent to cruise past.
The tie’s most interesting match was the second singles match, as Marinel Diansay put up a fight against reigning Most Valuable Player Bea Bernardo. In the end, the former UP captain proved her billing and won it in three games.
Bernardo started strong in the opening game as errors haunted Diansay. The Bustillos-based shuttler made some strides in the middle part of the frame, but the last year’s top player outsmarted her in the tailend. UP took the first game at 21-17.
Diansay got the better of the rallies in the second game, pulling away after the interval. Bernardo kept it close, before the Lady Bulldogs forced a deciding game as she won the second also at 21-17.
Nevertheless, the fourth-year Lady Maroon showed why she is the reigning MVP in the third game. Bernardo outclassed Diansay in all aspects of the game to put UP up 2-0 in the tie with a rousing 21-10 win in the decider.
Alcala and UAAP 77 MVP Jessie Francisco then finished the first doubles match to put UP one win away from their third consecutive Finals. The Maroons were never threatened in the match after they pulled away in the middle portions of both games. At the end of 24 minutes and with a Francisco drive, the Diliman pair won over Jhayvin Dizon and Kezziah Culiao, 21-10, 21-9.
Gelita Castillo and Lea Inlayo took UP’s fourth of the day in a no-contest. Diansay begged off to play in the second doubles due to an injury.
UAAP Season 77 Rookie of the Year Ann Marañon then completed the sweep with a 21-16, 21-19 win over Jiselle Capillo in the third singles match. Capillo was supposed to play in the second doubles.
The Lady Maroons (6-0) look to clinch their third straight Finals appearance when they face winless University of the East Lady Warriors (0-6) on Saturday, September 30, at 1pm. Meanwhile, the 3-3 Lady Bulldogs face the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (2-4) in a battle to keep their respective semis bids alive.
