The University of the East Red Warriors have waited and prepared hard for Saturday’s showdown with the Adamson University Soaring Falcons.
“Pinaghandaan po namin sila, kasi alam po naming ito yung biggest chance namin makakuha ng panalo,” fifth-year AJ Manlalangit shared.
The hard work paid off for the Recto-based squad, as they needed only the first three matches to wrap up their first win of the season past their Taft-based opponents that morning at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Nonetheless, it was not easy, as all of these matches went the distance with a third game.
AJ David had to mount a comeback to put UE on the board after the first singles match. The fourth-year Red Warrior suffered a sorry loss in the first game, as he surrendered to errors in favor of Elben Concha at 21-17. Playing better, David was able to finish the next two games easily at 21-14, 21-10.
Benjamin Silva experienced the same scare as Johnrick Macabenta snuck past him and stole the second game of the second singles match at 23-21, after the fifth-year UE player closed the first at 21-18. In the third set, Silva used his veteran composure to ultimately dig himself in the tight decider at 21-19.
Manlalangit and usual partner Kenneth Cruz then eventually bagged the tie after fashioning out another comeback over Concha and Joshua Antonio. The Falcons took the first game at 21-18, but with in-game adjustments and better court coverage, the Red Warriors pocketed the second at 21-17, before brezzing through the decider at 21-13.
Adamson would not be swept, however, as Macabenta and Kevin Fabros took the second doubles match at 21-17, 21-10 over Clarence Camacho and David. Fabros then shook off fatigue and dominated Manlalangit at 21-14, 21-15.
The Red Warriors (1-2) will try to build on this win as they battle the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles (2-0) on Friday, September 24, at 8am. Meanwhile, the Falcons (0-3) will be hard-pressed to get their first win as they face the defending champions National University Bulldogs (2-0) on the same day and time.
