Mia Manguilimotan refused to let her UAAP career end just yet, reviving De La Salle University’s Final Four hopes in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Badminton Tournament after clinching a dramatic 3-2 victory over Adamson University in the first stage of the playoffs on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
The graduating senior extended her stint with the Lady Green Shuttlers after dispatching Lady Falcons upstart Key Aubrey Fuerte, 21-14, 21-14, in the deciding singles match.
Both teams had earlier split the first four rubbers — including the second doubles match where Manguilimotan also saw action.
Manguilimotan redeemed herself from that doubles loss, shaking off fatigue and using her momentum to control the tempo in the singles rubber.
Though Fuerte had her moments, managing to return several difficult shuttles late in the match, Manguilimotan’s consistent play and wide scoring margins proved too much to overcome.
With the victory, De La Salle — which had previously fallen short — will face University of Santo Tomas once more for the last semifinal ticket on Monday at 1:00 PM, still at the same Malate venue.
“Yung game nila against UST kasi is talagang hindi nila nailabas ‘yung laro nila eh. So, for this game, talagang nag-prepare kami, pinatapangan namin ‘yung loob ng mga bata kasi ‘yun ‘yung nawala eh. Inisip nila ‘yung pressure na manalo agad against UST,” said coach Descka Calimlim.
“Now, ‘yung confidence nila at tiwala sa sarili, lumabas ngayong araw na ‘to. Lahat kami, nagtulung-tulong — effort rin talaga.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Lady Falcons from San Marcelino actually drew first blood. Abbygail Barcelona outlasted La Salle captain Ghiselle Bautista, 21-15, 17-21, 21-16, in a grueling opening match that lasted 63 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Lady Green Shuttlers quickly bounced back, with Zashca Tuario taking care of Adamson rookie Khylle Agura, 21-13, 21-12.
Bautista then teamed up with Viana Antonio to outclass Keanna Casaje and Rhealyn Pedron, 21-8, 21-15, in the first doubles rubber that lasted 51 minutes.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Manguilimotan initially had a chance to seal the tie in the second doubles match, but her partnership with Army Espe faltered against the resilient tandem of Barcelona and Agura.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite dominating the opening set, 21-11, the pair dropped the next two, 13-21, 17-21, allowing Adamson to force a deciding singles rubber.
But Manguilimotan, determined not to end her UAAP journey on a sour note, rose to the challenge once again.
The fifth-year senior delivered in the clutch, closing out Fuerte in straight sets to secure the Lady Green Shuttlers’ 3-2 triumph — and another day to fight for La Salle.
