Ateneo de Manila University extended its winning streak to 22 after successfully fending off the challenge from University of Santo Tomas with a 3-1 victory, securing its place in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Badminton Final on Friday at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center.
The Blue Eagles’ pursuit of a four-peat remained very much alive, thanks to the 21-13, 21-17 victory in the second doubles match by reigning MVP Mika De Guzman and second-year upstart Jochelle Alvarez over rookies Patricia De Leon and Marielle Alvarez.
“I’m happy with their performance because they did it one game at a time. I have confidence in my girls and I see it in them that confidence, so hopefully, magtuluy-tuloy siya,” Ateneo head coach Kennie Asuncion said.
The Blue Eagles are set to face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
UP secured a 3-0 victory against the National University Lady Bulldogs in the other pairing, in the Final on Sunday at 1:00 PM still at the same Cubao venue.
Ateneo and UP also faced off in last season’s final with the former taking a 3-2 win for its third straight crown.
Earlier, the Blue Eagles took a 2-0 lead by winning both singles matches.
Smash Pilipinas standout De Guzman continued her dominant run in singles play with a 21-10, 21-10 victory over Charlize Belen, while Alvarez secured a solid win against De Leon in the next match, 21-11, 21-18.
The Tiger Shuttlers managed to pull one back with Rhafi Santos and Jennifer Saladaga’s 21-13, 21-12 victory over Missy Cervantes and Angel Valle, but that was all UST could manage against the defending champions.
Susmita Ramos made amends for her previous loss against the Lady Bulldogs in the eliminations by conquering both her matches of the day.
She finished with the tie-clinching win with Anthea Gonzalez against Sarah Barredo and Lee-Ann De Leon, 21-12, 16-21, 21-10 in the lone doubles match.
“Ang mindset ko was no pressure since natalo nga ko nung elims. Sabi lang din ng coaches, bigay namin ‘yng highest level of performance namin at kita naman, 3-0 namin ang NU,” the Smash Pilipinas upstart Ramos said.
Ramos had earlier won against Ysabel Amora in a three-game first singles match, 21-16, 12-21, 21-3, serving as payback for her elims loss to the same Lady Bulldog.
Gonzalez then made it 2-0 with a 21-5, 23-21 victory over Karyll Rio in the following singles rubber.
The Lady Bulldogs will face the Tiger Shuttlers in the third-place playoff in a simultaneous tie on Sunday.
