It took the defending UAAP women’s badminton champions University of the Philippines Lady Maroons just under two hours to dispatch the University of Santo Tomas Golden Shuttlers.
Three players from the Diliman squad made their UAAP debut, but it was the stalwarts that clinched the tie in just six games, as they put on a clean sweep, Sunday morning at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Taking the court first, reigning Most Valuable Player Poca Alcala made short work of newbie Evan Teope in the first singles match, 21-6, 21-3. The Tomasina was limited to just four hits out of her nine points, as the former top national singles player used smart drops and powerful pushes to end the rallies.
UAAP Season 77 Rookie of the Year Ann Maranon then needed to shake off nerves to eventually wrap up her second singles match, also in two games, over Angelic Panotes. The third-year Maroon succumbed to errors in the first set, giving her opponent lease for life. Nonetheless, Maranon got her groove back and won it at 21-10, 21-4.
With spitfires Lea Inlayo and Jessie Francisco on the court, the reigning three-peat champions knew their second straight win was in the bag. Reuniting once again as doubles partners, the UAAP 78 ROY and the UAAP 77 MVP dissected UST’s top pair Sugar Vizmonte and Elizabeth Pimentel to win, 21-9, 21-10.
The tie was won, but excitement had just started for the UP crowd in attendance.
Team captain Marina Caculitan and lone rookie Pauline Santos made an impressive season debut, sweeping Teope and Panotes in two games, 21-5, 21-8. Jeline Masongsong eventually completed the clean sweep, taking down Pimentel also in two games at 21-12, 21-4.
The Fighting Maroons (2-0) are expected to take their third straight win when they face the winless University of the East Lady warriors (0-3) on Friday, September 29, at 1pm. On the other hand, the Golden Shuttlers’ (0-3) road to a winning streak must start soon as they take on the De La Salle University Lady Shuttlers (1-1) on the same day and time.
