National University’s Hailene Diaz and Naeomi Gulpany pulled through in the first doubles match, fueling a 4–1 victory over last season’s Finals tormentor Ateneo de Manila University and completing a sweep of the qualifying round of the UAAP Season 89 Women’s Badminton Team Event on Saturday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
The cousins came through in the clutch, taking down first-time partners Jochelle Alvarez and Althea Hernandez, 21–19, 5–21, 21–19, in nearly an hour to clinch the Lady Bulldogs’ fifth straight win.
This marked the first time NU had swept the eliminations, earning the top seed heading into the Final Four.
“Sobrang happy po kami sa performance namin so far, and pati kami na-o-overwhelm. Siguro naging fuel po talaga namin ‘yung Final appearance namin last season na mas galingan pa. Kasi alam naming mas buo kami this season, and kaya naming gawin ‘yon uli,” said Diaz.
The Lady Bulldogs will face the Adamson University Lady Falcons, who reached the semifinals for the first time since Season 72 in 2009, on Tuesday at 1 p.m.
“Heading into the semis, ang gusto ko pong maging mentality namin is nothing to lose. Since andito na kami, bakit pa kami magtitira? Tuloy lang ‘yung momentum namin, and since semis na nga, dapat talaga all out na,” Gulpany shared.
Gweneth Chiva and Sab Amora gave NU a 2–0 advantage after defeating Fayina Dolor and Althea Ocampo, respectively, in the first two singles matches.
Rookie Chiva needed just 19 minutes to complete a 21–5, 21–6 sweep of Dolor, while team captain Amora fended off Ocampo, 21–13, 21–14, in 43 minutes to extend the lead.
Andrea Hernandez and Daena Castro pulled one back for the Blue Eagles with a 21–11, 21–10 rout of Lee-Ann Jade De Leon and Tia Bualat. However, Lady Bulldog Karyll Rio sealed the victory and completed NU’s sweep of the qualifying round with a 21–15, 21–14 win over Angel Valle.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines leaned on graduating seniors Kimberly Lao and Susmita Ramos to finish the qualifying round in second place with a 4–1 win-loss record.
Lao and Ramos secured their second consecutive victory as a pair, helping the Fighting Maroons complete a 5–0 sweep of the Adamson Lady Falcons. They defeated the previously unbeaten tandem of Mary Untal and Jasmine Reformina, 21–11, 22–20, in the opening doubles match.
Lao, who suffered a right anterior cruciate ligament injury during last season’s final elimination-round tie against NU, shared that her primary motivation for returning for one last campaign was to settle unfinished business.
“My goal was really that I wanted to change the events this season. Yon ang ginawa kong goal para mag-rehab, mag-double time sa recovery. Parang, I don’t want to end my playing career with last season’s result. Gusto ko lang din makabawi, lalo na ito na ‘yung chance ko makalaro ‘yung kapwa seniors ko,” said the former UP captain.
Fellow seniors Pat De Leon and Anthea Gonzalez captured the first two singles matches, taking contrasting routes to victories over Jiezel Del Rosario and Abby Barcelona, respectively.
De Leon bounced back from her defeat the other day with a dominant 21–11, 21–5 win over Del Rosario, while Gonzalez had to go the distance against Barcelona, prevailing 21–12, 20–22, 21–8.
Krissa De Leon and Niki Paz then battled past Ashley Bernardino and Camille Buagas in the second doubles match, 16–21, 21–19, 21–15, before Brys Fuggan turned back Rosheila Quierez, 22–24, 21–12, 21–18, to complete UP’s sweep.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
On the other court, University of Santo Tomas ended its team event campaign on a winning note, defeating De La Salle University, 3–2.
The Lady Shuttlers’ outgoing senior Marielle Alvarez made her final UAAP team tie count, teaming up with Gabrielle Ainza to clinch the deciding point with a 21–15, 21–16 victory over Alphecca Espe and Venice Salapong in the second doubles match.
Kim Lagare gave DLSU the lead with a 19–21, 21–7, 21–15 comeback victory over Ashlee Cerveza, but last season’s co-Rookie of the Year Hanie De Jesus leveled the tie for UST with a 21–18, 8–21, 21–16 win over Lady Green Shuttler Tuario.
Christine Dorega and Harlene Herbabuena then secured their first win of the campaign, sweeping Athena Villanueva and Erin Vitangcol, 21–10, 21–15, to set up the deciding match for Alvarez and Ainza.
Ghiselle Bautista, the Lady Green Shuttlers’ own fifth-year senior, closed out the tie with a hard-fought victory over Angel Vitangcol, winning 20–22, 21–19, 21–16, in 50 minutes.
