UNIVERSITY of the Philippines opened its bid for a back-to-back crown with a commanding 4-1 rout of Adamson University on the opening day of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Badminton Tournament on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
The Fighting Maroons began their title defense in dominant fashion, led by reigning MVP Anthea Gonzalez and team captain Kimberly Lao, who sealed the tie for an early share of the top spot.
The senior duo asserted their dominance with a 21-16, 21-11 victory over Keanna Casaje and Rheylyn Pedron in just 35 minutes, following Adamson’s lone win from the earlier doubles rubber.
The Lady Falcons drew first blood as veterans Graziel Cabriga and Nicole Ondol outlasted UP’s rookie-sophomore tandem of Shei Dela Cruz and Nikki Paz, 24-22, 10-21, 21-19, but that turned out to be their only success as the Fighting Maroons flexed their championship form in the next three matches.
“Sa girls, OK naman naging performance nila. Yun lang partnership ni Shei (Dela Cruz) and Nikki, medyo kinulang sa huli. ‘Yung pressure umabot sa kanila nung second set, so, nakabawi man, kinulang pa rin,” said coach Almar Convento.
“Pero, at the end of the day, maganda naman ang nilaro ng girls; lifted naman yung morale nila. Kaya for tomorrow, panibagong laban na naman ‘yan.”
Rookie Brys Fuggan and Gonzalez opened the tie with back-to-back singles wins before Adamson’s brief fightback.
Fuggan showed poise in her 21-17, 21-14 triumph over Key Aubrey Fuerte, while Gonzalez turned up the heat late in both sets to stop Abbygail Barcelona, 21-14, 21-12.
Senior Susmita Ramos wrapped up the win for the Fighting Maroons with a steady 21-12, 21-19 finish over Khylle Agura.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, fellow podium finishers from last season — Ateneo de Manila University and National University — also kicked off their campaigns on a strong note, scoring decisive wins over De La Salle University (5-0) and University of Santo Tomas (4-1), respectively.
Ateneo’s Mika De Guzman, fresh from a runner-up finish in the MAXX North Harbour International, and returning standout Jochelle Alvarez sealed the win for the Blue Eagles after taking down Viana Antonio and Ghiselle Bautista, 21-14, 21-17, in the first doubles match.
On the other hand, NU’s Ysabel Aurora and Karyll Rio battled for almost an hour to complete a hard-earned 16-21, 21-17, 21-15 comeback against Rhafi Santos and Christine Dorega in their second doubles rubber.
De Guzman and last season’s Rookie of the Year Althea Ocampo gave Ateneo a 2-0 cushion after cruising through their singles matches.
De Guzman swept Bautista, 21-8, 21-10, in 28 minutes, while Ocampo outlasted Zashca Tuaño, 21-17, 21-15.
Althea Fuentespina and Althea Hernandez then made it 4-0 for Ateneo after dispatching Mia Manguilimotan and Venice Salapong, 21-14, 21-7, before Angel Valle completed the team sweep with a hard-fought 23-21, 14-21, 21-16 win over Antonio.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Aurora and Rio put the Lady Bulldogs in front with wins in the first two singles matches.
Aurora won past Hanie De Jesus, 21-8, 21-17, while Rio battled through a gritty stance from Dorega, 18-21, 21-10, 21-7.
UST pulled one back courtesy of the 21-11, 21-11 victory of Marielle Alvarez and Jennifer Saladaga against Hailene Diaz and Naeomi Gulpany.
Diaz, though, made sure to get a win to end the day, beating Reshane Nicor, 21-15, 21-16.
UP, Ateneo, and NU will aim to keep their winning momentum on Sunday.
Ateneo and NU are set for a rematch of last season’s semifinal at 1 p.m., while UP faces De La Salle University in pursuit of a 2-0 start.
Meanwhile, Adamson and UST will battle for their first win — all matches still at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate.
