University of Santo Tomas refused to fold and created a traffic jam for the fourth spot in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Badminton Final Four following a 4-1 rout of De La Salle University on the final day of the qualifying round, Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
With three of its current Lady Shuttlers playing their final year in the league, one of those seniors made sure her UAAP career would live another day.
Marielle Alvarez teamed up with rookie Hanie De Jesus in a rousing comeback victory, defeating Lady Green Shuttlers seniors Viana Antonio and Ghiselle Bautista, 21-15, 21-17, to keep UST’s Final Four streak hopes alive for a fourth consecutive season.
The win secured UST a fourth-place finish in the eliminations and a first-round playoff bye, putting them ahead of both De La Salle and Adamson on match wins.
Over at the other court, Adamson absorbed a 1-4 loss against National University.
With identical records, De La Salle and Adamson will face off in a one-match playoff on Sunday at 1:00 PM. The winner will earn the right to battle UST for the final semifinal berth on Monday, also at 1:00 PM.
“Actually, dapat may training kami yesterday, pero ang sinabi ko huwag na lang kaming mag-training, pahinga na lang. And then, nag-usap-usap lang kami. Sinabi ko kung ano ‘yung ma naging kulang, ano ‘yung mga sobra,” newly installed head coach Patricia Barredo said.
“Tinanong ko rin sila kung anong naging feeling nila simula do’n sa first game hanggang nung Thursday. Tapos nag-open up lang sila, and then, ‘yan ‘yung naging result.”
De La Salle captain Bautista put her side on the board first after surviving De Jesus in a grueling three-game duel, 21-12, 9-21, 21-18. But UST quickly equalized as another rookie, Christine Dorega, took the second singles rubber in straight sets, 24-22, 21-18, over Zashca Tuario.
That win shifted the momentum in UST’s favor as seniors Jennifer Saladaga and Rhafi Anne Santos cruised to a 21-15, 21-17 sweep of Ma. Army Espe and Mia Manguilimotan in just 36 minutes.
Riding that momentum, Alvarez and De Jesus sealed the deal before Nishane Ricor completed the rout with a gritty comeback, 16-21, 21-11, 21-9, over Manguilimotan.
“Nagsabi sa’kin nung tatlong seniors na, hindi pa natin ‘to last game bukas. Meron pa tayong gagawin sa Sunday, meron pa tayong gagawin the following day. Naging isang motivation rin sa kanila ‘yun na ayaw pa nila mag-last game na gano’n ‘yung result,” Barredo, herself a former UST Lady Shuttler, shared.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, over at the other court, Ysabel Amora swept her assignments to steer National University into the semifinals at the expense of Adamson.
The fourth-year senior dominated Key Aubrey Fuerte, 21-4, 21-13, before pairing with Alhana Mabale to restore NU’s lead in the first doubles match, 22-20, 21-14, over Graziel Cabriga and Keanna Casaje.
Adamson’s Abbygale Barcelona responded with a reverse sweep of Hailene Diaz, 17-21, 21-16, 21-19, but Diaz bounced back in the second doubles match. She teamed up with fellow rookie Naeomi Gulpany to take the tie-clinching point, 21-15, 21-19, over Barcelona and Rhealyn Pedron.
Karyll Rio then wrapped it up with a 21-11, 22-20 finish against Khylle Agura.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In another tie, Ateneo de Manila University showcased its dominance in a rematch of last season’s finals, sweeping reigning champion University of the Philippines, 5-0, to complete a perfect 5-0 record in the qualifying round.
National team standout and rookie Althea Hernandez displayed her composure, teaming up with Althea Fuentespina for a gritty comeback win, 21-12, 17-21, 21-18, over Susmita Ramos and Krissa De Leon in the first doubles match.
Angel Valle and Mika De Guzman set the tone early with contrasting singles victories for the Blue Eagles. Valle outlasted Ramos in a thrilling decider, 21-18, 9-21, 24-22, before De Guzman asserted her mastery over last year’s MVP Anthea Gonzalez, 21-10, 21-14.
With the tie already decided and the No. 1 seed secured, De Guzman and Jochelle Alvarez kept Ateneo’s momentum rolling with a dominant 21-11, 21-6 performance against Shei Dela Cruz and Gonzalez.
Last season’s top rookie, Althea Ocampo, capped off the elimination round sweep with a composed 21-13, 21-13 win over UP’s promising newcomer, Brys Fuggan.
