Adamson University ended its decade-long drought, securing its first UAAP Women’s Badminton Team Event Final Four appearance in 17 years, with rookies Mary Destiny Untal and Jasmine Reformina showing maturity beyond their years to fuel a 5–0 sweep of De La Salle University on Wednesday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.
Untal, a member of the Smash Pilipinas national team, and Reformina helped the Lady Falcons overcome the heartbreak of falling short of a breakthrough last season, delivering a dominant 21–11, 21–7 victory over Alphecca Espe and Venice Salapong in the second doubles match.
“Siyempre para din po ‘to sa mga coaches kasi grabe din po ‘yung sa training, pinaghirapan po talaga namin. Ngayon pa lang, sabi nga po nila, hindi na basta-basta ang Adamson,” said Untal of the semifinal berth.
The Lady Falcons entered the tie believing their moment had finally arrived, but Abby Barcelona first had to rally past Ghiselle Bautista in the opening singles match, 19–21, 21–13, 21–9. Rosheila Quierez then followed suit, defeating Lady Tuario, 21–11, 21–14, to put Adamson one win away from ending a longing that lingered since Season 72 (2009).
Ashley Bernardino and Camille Buagas made it four straight victories with a 21–10, 21–15 rout of Athena Villanueva and Erin Vitangcol. Key Aubrey Fuerte then completed the sweep with a 21–12, 21–14 victory over Angela Manrique to cap the Lady Falcons’ historic day.
“This year medyo determinado na; ‘yung lessons from the past, ‘yung mga hinagpis, ‘yung mga shortcomings, pinalitan namin ng positives. Pasalamat din kay Lord na ‘yung pinag-pray namin is nabuo,” said long-time head coach Ian Mendez, reflecting on what the Final Four berth means to the program.
Adamson last tasted a semifinals appearance with the likes of Jubie Vallarta, Lovely Sawada, and Isabel Villaran, before yielding a close 2–3 defeat in the Finals berth clincher to eventual champions DLSU then-led by the Lady Green Shuttlers’ current coach Deska Calimlim.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
University of the Philippines likewise secured its place in the postseason, defeating rival Ateneo de Manila University, 4–1, to move into second place in the standings.
Coming off a close defeat to the National University Lady Bulldogs last Sunday, the Fighting Maroons quickly put the setback behind them and approached the remainder of the season with a clean slate.
“Yung naging mindset lang namin is kalimutan na muna ‘yun. And mag-start kami na gawin ‘yung makakaya namin. Siguro, mental toughness na rin kasi hindi kami dapat nagpapadala sa mga talo namin. Tuloy lang ang laban,” said co-captain Anthea Gonzalez.
Krissa De Leon and Niki Paz delivered for their team, securing a convincing 21–17, 21–14 victory over sisters Andrea and Althea Hernandez in the second doubles match.
Gonzalez returned to the singles court for the Fighting Maroons and needed three games and 46 minutes to overcome Jochelle Alvarez, 15–21, 21–9, 21–18. Angel Valle, however, salvaged a point for the Blue Eagles by handing Pat De Leon her first defeat of the season, 5–21, 21–18, 22–20.
UP’s captains over the past two seasons, Kimberly Lao and Susmita Ramos, restored the Fighting Maroons’ advantage with a comprehensive 21–10, 21–18 victory over Daena Castro and Arkeexa Ojera.
Brys Fuggan then sealed the tie with an impressive 21–16, 21–19 win over Althea Ocampo.
The Lady Falcons and the Fighting Maroons will face each other on Saturday at 1 p.m.
“Hindi namin siya titingnan na parang bagong school na kakalabanin. Kung paano po kami maglaro, ganoon pa rin. Hindi namin iisipin na bago silang papasok sa Final Four, kung paano lang kami naglalaro, tuloy-tuloy lang kami,” said Gonzalez, the Season 87 MVP, about the upcoming matchup.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Meanwhile, NU extended its winning streak to four matches with a 5–0 sweep of the University of Santo Tomas in the day’s remaining tie.
Hailene Diaz and Naeomi Gulpany needed nearly an hour to secure a 21–11, 19–21, 21–11 victory over Gabrielle Ainza and Marielle Alvarez, giving the Lady Bulldogs another point.
Sab Amora remained unbeaten this season with a 21–18, 21–14 win over Hanie De Jesus, while Gweneth Chiva doubled NU’s advantage with a 21–9, 22–20 decision over Angel Vitangcol.
Tia Bualat and Lee-Anne De Leon extended the lead with a 21–7, 21–11 victory over Harlene Herbabuena and Angelica Racca before Karyll Rio completed the sweep with a 21–5, 21–18 win over Christine Dorega.
