THE ATENEO Lady Shuttlers suffered their first loss of the season in heartbreaking fashion against the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons with a team-tie score of 3-2 in their fifth match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Women’s Badminton Tournament, on Thursday, October 4, at the at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Chanelle Lunod was the first to play for the Blue and White against UP’s Poca Alcala. After dropping the first set, 10-21, Lunod was unable to recover and eventually lost the match, 10-21, 18-21.

Determined to bring Ateneo back on level terms, Geva De Vera fought valiantly to keep the lady shuttlers afloat by defeating Janelle Andres, 21-19, 21-10.   

The duo of Bea Felizardo and Aly Roxas struggled against UP’s Alcala and Jessie Francisco. In both sets, their output at the intervals only totalled to three points. They eventually lost in straight sets, 10-21, 10-21.

Stepping on the court once with the aim of levelling the playing field, De Vera and Lunod looked to return the momentum to the side of the Blue and White. The Ateneo tandem worked hard to overturn an initial first set loss to give the Lady Eagles a chance to retain their winning streak. The match ended 17-21, 21-13, 21-7, in favor of Ateneo.

With the team-tie on the line, the task of delivering the day’s fairytale ending fell upon the shoulders of Team Captain Samantha Ramos. UP’s Jessie Francisco gained the upper hand against the hardened captain in the first set with the score of 17-21, putting the lady shuttlers in a do-or-die situation. Despite a one point lead by Ramos in the second interval, Francisco was able to deliver the lethal blow which allowed her to secure the match in straight sets, 17-21, 20-22.

This loss puts the Lady Eagles at 4-1 in the elimination round standings of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Women’s Badminton Tournament.

Their next game will be against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs on Saturday, October 6, at 1:00 PM at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Team-tie Score: Ateneo 2 UP 3

1st singles: Chanelle Lunod los. Poca Alcala, 10-21, 18-21

2nd singles: Geva De Vera def. Janelle Andres, 21-19, 21-10

1st doubles: Bea Felizardo/Aly Roxas los. Poca Alcala/Jessie Francisco, 10-21, 10-21

2nd doubles: Geva De Vera/Chanelle Lunod def. Lea Inlayo/Ann Marañon, 17-21, 21-13, 21-7

3rd singles: Sam Ramos los. Jessie Francisco, 17-21, 20-22