After suffering a tough loss against arch-rival Ateneo de Manila University last weekend, the De La Salle University Green Shuttlers unleashed its frustrations on the University of the East Red Warriors, with a thorough 5-0 win, Saturday morning at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Jerickson Obaob had to fend off AJ Manlalangit to eventually pocket the first singles match at 17-21, 21-14, 21-17, and start the rout for the Green and White.
Glenn Camillo followed it up by dispatching Benjamin Silva in just two quick sets, 21-11, 21-14, to double the lead for La Salle.
The biggest test for the Green Shuttlers this year, however, are finding the right doubles pairs. As senior Bee Monterubio admitted, “Nag-a-adjust pa rin kami sa doubles.”
He furthered on the graduation of his brother Kenneth and Carlos Cayanan, speaking on a personal note, “Okay naman [adjustment], paunti-unti. Kasi sa buong stay ko sa La Salle, halos partner ko lagi yung kuya ko.”
They were on the right track, however, as the Taft-based squad needed just its first doubles pair to seal the tie.
Obaob and Cayel Pajarillo gifted their team its third win after whitewashing Arsen Donesa and Andrew Barreto at 21-12, 21-11, in the third match of the day.
Monterubio then paired with Michael Saragena swept Clarence Camacho and Kenneth Cruz, 21-12, 21-13, before Pajarillo closed the tie with a two-game conquest of AJ David, 21-16, 21-9.
On Sunday, October 1 at 8am, the Green Shuttlers (3-1) will try to stop semis-bound National University Bulldogs’ immaculate run (4-0). For the Red Warriors (0-5), they will close their season against the same team on Thursday, October 5.