With doubles stalwarts Aires Montilla and Kristelle Salatan now done with collegiate badminton, the De La Salle University Lady Shuttlers turned to their young cogs to open the season on a winning note, sweeping the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 5-0, Thusday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Returning singles specialist Nicole Albo showed her wares after easily taking care of Jhayanne Macabenta in two sets, 21-4, 21-6. The second-year La Sallian showed no signs of the ACL injury she had incurred last year, moving well in her comeback match in the UAAP to fashion out the win.
Batchmate Iyah Sevilla then followed her lead after similarly winning against the long-time Adamson standout Mika Aquino. The third-year Lady Archer pulled away in the middle portions of the two sets to take it at 21-13, 21-11.
With the win on the line, Albo — along with national player Isay Leonardo — closed the Lady Falcons in the first doubles match. The ladies in Green and White finished Mavabenta and Alyssa San Pedro in straight sets as well, 21-7, 21-10.
Sevilla and partner Lindsay Tercias made it four consecutive wins in the second doubles, winning over Aquino and Clydel Pada, 21-13, 21-14. Arianne Rivera then completed the clean sweep after taking the last singles match over Pada at 21-12, 21-14.
The Lady Archers (1-0) hope to sustain this momentum as they face the toughest challenge in the league in the defending champions University of the Philippines on Saturday, September 23, at 1pm. The Lady Falcons (0-1) will try to regroup when they face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Shuttlers (0-1) on the same day.
