National University made history with its first-ever appearance in the UAAP Women’s Badminton Finals, dethroning University of the Philippines, 3-2, in the Season 88 Final Four on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Standing in NU’s way will be an undefeated Ateneo de Manila University side, which earlier stamped its dominance over University of Santo Tomas with a 3-0 sweep.
The Lady Bulldogs had always come close to reaching the championship match, and this time, they refused to be denied — even after trailing 1-2 against the Fighting Maroons.
Karyll Rio, who had experienced an up-and-down season, composed herself to defeat former Smash Pilipinas standout Susmita Ramos in the deciding singles match. Rio cruised through the first game, dropped the second to Ramos, but rebounded strongly in the third, 21-8, 20-22, 21-13.
Her victory sent the program into a breakthrough championship berth — coming just hours after NU’s 10-time titlist men’s team fell short earlier in the day.
“Sa laro ko pong ‘to ang kinapitan ko lang po ay ‘yung tiwala ko sa sarili ko. Kasi kahit anong dasal ko, kung wala akong tiwala sa sarili ko hindi ko rin naman ‘to makakamit. Kaya thankful pa rin po ako kay Lord na ginuide na po ako,” said the fourth-year standout from Emmanuel’s Christian School.
“Gamitin namin ‘tong first-ever Finals as motivation kasi we’ve got nothing to lose. Siyempre po OK kung makukuha namin ‘yung gold, pero what we’ve achieved now, malaking bagay na sa’min,” Rio added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ysabel Amora continued her impressive run this season, winning in contrasting games against UP newcomer Brys Fuggan, 21-10, 22-20, to put the Lady Bulldogs on the scoreboard.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Last year’s MVP, Anthea Gonzalez, leveled the contest for the Fighting Maroons in just 31 minutes with a 21-8, 21-18 victory over Hailene Diaz.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Krissa De Leon and Susmita Ramos then gave UP a 2-1 lead with a 21-13, 21-12 win over Amora and Gwyneth Desacola.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Rookies Diaz and Alhana Mabale rose to the occasion, defeating first-time partners Gonzalez and Fuggan, 21-18, 21-16, in the second doubles match, setting the stage for Rio’s decisive singles victory.
The Finals between the Blue Eagles, making their sixth straight appearance, and the Lady Bulldogs, in their debut championship match, is set for Wednesday at 1:00 PM.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo’s three-time Philippine Badminton Open champion, Mika De Guzman, spearheaded the Blue Eagles’ rout. She swept all her matches and ensured she will compete in the Finals for the fifth consecutive year.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
De Guzman dominated UST rookie Hanie De Jesus, 21-4, 21-9, followed by last season’s Rookie of the Year, Althea Ocampo, who defeated Christine Dorega, 21-8, 21-7.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Jochelle Alvarez then teamed with De Guzman for a 21-10, 21-11 win over UST seniors Jennifer Saladaga and Rhafi Santos, cementing Ateneo’s Finals spot.
“We took that time to fully rest our bodies, and we also prepared yesterday. We trained para hindi totally mag-relax ‘yung body. That’s what we did, we let our bodies recover from our matches in the past weekends, and nag-training po kami kinabukasan for us to be ready in the semifinals,” said De Guzman, Ateneo co-captain.
“Gusto kong makita na binigay namin lahat. I want to see how much we want it; for the team, on how much we want to give back to Ateneo, and how much we want to give back to our coaches,” added the MAXX North Harbour International 2025 runner-up.
The Fighting Maroons will aim for their fourth consecutive podium finish when they face the Lady Shuttlers in the third-place playoff, also at 1:00 PM.
