Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines have set up a third consecutive championship showdown after defeating their respective opponents in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Badminton Tournament Final Four on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Manila.
Rookie standout Althea Ocampo powered the reigning champions Blue Eagles, who are on the hunt for their fifth straight UAAP title, clinching a 3-2 victory over the National University Lady Bulldogs.
On the other hand, the Fighting Maroons relied on third-year ace Anthea Gonzalez to sweep the University of Santo Tomas Golden Shuttlers, 3-0, securing UP’s eighth Finals appearance in nine seasons.
This third straight “Battle of Katipunan” for the UAAP women’s badminton crown is set for Wednesday at 1:00 PM in the same Malate venue.
Ocampo sealed Ateneo’s 10th championship berth in 11 seasons with a commanding 21-9, 21-9 win over Tia Bualat in the decisive third singles match.
“Actually, ‘yung pagpasok ko po sa Ateneo is pressure po sa‘kin kasi nga po I’m joining a champion team. Pero tinake ko ‘yung pressure na ‘yun at in-invert ko into something positive. Kasi kung magpapadala ako sa pressure, ‘yung team lang masisira,” said Ocampo, the 2024 Palarong Pambansa secondary girls’ gold medalist.
“Nagpe-pray lang po talaga ko na manalo ‘yung second doubles para ‘pag dating sa ‘kin, laruin ko lang po ‘yung best ko,” she added.
The four-time reigning champions faced a tough battle.
Ateneo took the first singles match, with captain Mika De Guzman, returning after a two-match absence, overcoming her 2024 Philippine Badminton Open Women’s Singles Finals rival Ysabel Amora, 21-15, 21-17.
NU fought back, with Karyll Rio and the pair of Jeya Von Pinlac and Andria Songcuan turning the tide.
Rio leveled the contest, winning 21-19, 21-11 over Feeby Ferrer, while Pinlac and Songcuan defeated De Guzman and Ocampo, 21-14, 21-13, in the doubles match.
Ferrer made a comeback for Ateneo, teaming up with third-year Eagle Maxene Olango in a thrilling come-from-behind win over NU seniors Sarah Barredo and Gwyneth Desacola, 18-21, 21-16, 21-12.
That then set the stage for Ocampo’s heroics.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For UP, Gonzalez and Kimberly Lao redeemed their earlier elimination-round loss to Marielle Alvarez and Patricia De Leon, winning 21-19, 21-18 to secure UP’s third consecutive Finals ticket.
“Nung una po kasi, kaunti lang po ‘yung time namin mag-practice na dalawa (ni Kimy); biglaan lang po talaga ‘yon. Kaya ‘yung unang laro po namin, pressured kami, kasi ‘yung mga tinuro sa‘min bago lang rin sa‘min,” said Gonzalez, the Season 85 Rookie of the Year.
“Pero ‘to pong wins namin, importante po talaga ‘yung confidence. Paano ka mananalo kung hindi ka confident? Dapat talaga mas lamang ‘yun sa kaba,” she added.
“Hindi rin kayo mananalo kung sa sarili mo lang ikaw nagtitiwala, o sa teammate mo lang. Dapat lahat kayo gusto niyong lumaban; lahat kayo dapat gustong manalo.”
Gonzalez opened the day with a win against De Leon, 21-8, 21-11.
Susmita Ramos doubled UP’s advantage with a solid 21-12, 21-12 victory over Reshane Nicor in the second singles match.
NU will face UST in the bronze medal tie on Wednesday at 1:00 PM.
