Reigning two-time champions University of the Philippines Lady Maroons took down another title contender in rousing fashion after defeating De La Salle University Lady Green Shuttlers, 4-1. This was the Lady Maroons’ 20th consecutive victory since Season 77.
Returning player Gelita Castilo started the rout with an impressive two-game victory over national team member Alyssa Leonardo, 21-18 21-12.
Leonardo kept the first game close after Castilo took the initiative at 11-7 at the break. The fourth-year DLSU stalwart even took the lead at 17-16 off a UP error. Nonetheless, the former MVP bounced back and finished off the game with her smart placement shots.
It was an entirely different story in the second game as the former Lady Eagle stamped her class and never looked back. Leonardo scoured for points but the lead was too much to overhaul.
Top singles player Poca Alcala doubled the lead for UP as she avenged her opening round loss in dominant fashion. The newbie took the second singles match over Ariane Rivera also in straight sets, 21-11, 21-11.
Alcala used her swift change of pace in-between the rallies to rattle the third-year La Sallian’s game. The Maroon also varied his offensive strategies to take the match for the defending titlists.
Castilo went back to the court and partnered with last year’s top rookie Lea Inlayo. The Iskas only took 20 minutes to clinch the 20th win for UP as the fended off Leonardo and Iya Sevilla in two 21-12 games.
The two pairs battled neck and neck at the start of the both games, before the UP pair turned up the notch in the middle portion to dominate in either frame. Inlayo and Castilo alternated on the aggressive offense as UP slowly built a huge margin. And true to the story of the match, Inlayo ended the match with a strong down-the-line kill.
Alcala and UAAP Season 77 MVP Jessie Francisco took the harder route against the La Salle tandem of Kristelle Salatan and Aires Montilla in the second doubles match. UP eventually won the match in three games, 21-17, 19-21, 21-8.
Sevilla prevented the shutout after pulling an upset against reigning MVP Bea Bernardo, 21-15, 21-19.
