Karyll Rio propelled National University into the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Badminton Final Four in style, snapping the 26-tie winning streak of defending champion Ateneo de Manila University with a 3-2 victory on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Manila.
This is the Lady Eagles’ first loss in the tournament since October 6, 2018 — a 3-2 loss to the Lady Bulldogs to close out the elimination round of UAAP Season 81.
Rio, a third-year standout, completed a come-from-behind victory against Feeby Ferrer in the third and deciding singles match, winning 14-21, 22-20, 21-17 in a battle that lasted one hour and four minutes.
With this result, both teams ended up with a 3-1 win-loss record, placing them second and third, respectively.
“I think nung bandang first set parang ginagamay pa niya ‘yung gameplay niya eh. Parang andami pang thoughts on her mind. Pero habang tumatagal ‘yung game, nakitaan ko siya ng tapang,” said NU assistant coach Bianca Carlos-Dalisay of Rio’s fightback.
“She was shouting, she was giving her all. Nadulas pa siya pero despite that nakita kong pinusuan niya.”
With the pressure of making the semifinals off their backs, the Lady Bulldogs welcomed this significant upset over the Blue Eagles.
“Critical ‘yung every game namin pero ‘tong panalo namin kay Ateneo today, sobrang importante din sa ‘min eh, stats-wise. Kaya, I think, this is a good start for the girls. Kahit papunta na tayo sa dulo, ‘yung confidence nung mga babae is nagsisimula pa lang,” added Carlos-Dalisay, an Ateneo great.
NU and Ateneo split the first four matches, leading to this winner-take-all rubber match. The challengers took early leads at 1-0 and 2-1 in the contest.
Ysabel Aurora put the Lady Bulldogs in the driver’s seat with a 21-10, 21-16 victory over Angel Valle.
Jeya Von Pinlac and Andrian Songcuan then reclaimed the advantage after a nearly hour-long comeback, winning 14-21, 21-8, 21-10 against Maxene Olango and Althea Rio Fuentespina.
Althea Ocampo kept the reigning champions in contention, overpowering Kirsten Bualat 21-12, 21-16 in the second singles match, and later teaming up with Missy Cervantes for a thrilling 16-21, 21-17, 21-7 victory over Gwyneth Desacola and Lee Ann Jade De Leon.
Notably, both teams were without their respective captains for this match: Sarah Joy Barredo for the Lady Bulldogs and Mika De Guzman for the Blue Eagles.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The outcome pushed University of the Philippines to the top of the standings with a 4-0 record after they also secured a 3-2 decision over University of Santo Tomas.
The Fighting Maroons achieved their victory with their still-unbeaten pair of Susmita Ramos and Dianne Libaton, who defeated Rhafi Ann Santos and Jennifer Saladaga 21-12, 21-16 in just 45 minutes.
That keeps their squad perfect for the season as they prepare for their showdown against Ateneo.
Ramos maintained her unblemished singles record, winning decisively 21-5, 21-11 against Gabrielle Ainza while fellow third-year standout Althea Gonzalez made it 2-0 with a commanding 21-7, 21-9 win over Patricia De Leon.
De Leon managed to get one back for UST when she teamed up with Mariell Alvarez in the second doubles match, pulling off a thrilling 24-22, 21-16 victory over Gonzalez and Kimberly Lao.
Reshane Nicor then outmuscled Kahrene Zapanta 21-13, 21-15 in a clash of rookies, sealing the tie in favor of UST.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
De La Salle University capped off the day with its first win of the season, defeating Adamson University 5-0.
Seniors Mia Manguilimotan and Via Antonio kept the Lady Green Shuttlers in the hunt for the Final Four, prevailing over Abbygail Barcelona and Justine Barsona in the first doubles rubber, 14-21, 21-17, 21-19, in a match that lasted 69 minutes.
UST and DLSU, both at 1-3, will battle for the last semifinals berth on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Meanwhile, UP will aim for an elimination round sweep against Ateneo, while NU seeks to create a possible triple tie at the top when it faces Adamson.
