THE ATENEO Lady Eagles triumphed against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 3-1, in their first semi-final match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 Women’s Badminton Tournament on Sunday, October 7, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The first match featured a rematch of yesterday’s affair between Samantha Ramos and Sarah Barredo. Looking to redeem her loss, Ramos raced off to a good start as she led over Barredo by three points heading into the first interval. This lead however, was short lived as a string of errors by Ramos forced her to score only two points in the final stretch of the first set. Barredo’s steady play allowed her to run away with the match, 13-21, 12-21.
[First Women’s Singles]
A net error from NU’s Barredo gives Ramos a 3 point advantage entering the interval.
Ateneo 11 NU 8#UAAPBadminton pic.twitter.com/TdHZMhPXzM
— Selina de Dios (@Sel_TheGUIDON) October 7, 2018
The following singles match likewise featured two competitors who had matched up the prior day, namely, Chanelle Lunod and Jiselle Capillo. Similar to yesterday’s result, the feisty Lunod delivered a convincing victory, 21-13, 21-17.
[Second Women’s Singles]
Lunod ends the second set in-style with a great cross court smash. Second set score: 21-17
Team-tie Score: Ateneo 1 NU 1#UAAPBadminton pic.twitter.com/mpnHKCdxMY
— Selina de Dios (@Sel_TheGUIDON) October 7, 2018
Consequently, Lunod was paired with Geva De Vera to duel against the lethal combo of Sarah Barredo and Thea Pomar. Despite dropping the first set, Lunod and De Vera retaliated with a critical second set win to extend the match. The decisive set was a back and forth battle as both teams knew the gravity of the first doubles victory. Eventually, an emphatic front court kill by Lunod provided a fitting end to the 3-set thriller as the Eagles sealed the match, 17-21, 21-16, 21-17.
[First Women’s Doubles]
Lunod’s front court kill lifts Ateneo past the Lady Bulldogs, 21-17, in a thrilling third set. This gives the Lady Shuttlers an advantage in the team-tie standing.
Team-tie Score: Ateneo 2 NU 1#UAAPBadminton pic.twitter.com/k4mdh8ztAX
— Selina de Dios (@Sel_TheGUIDON) October 7, 2018
Holding a 2-1 advantage over the Lady Bulldogs, one more win was necessary to seal victory for the Blue and White. Bea Felizardo took to the court alongside her Captain, Ramos, to take on NU’s Capillo and Jeya Pinlac. The tandem seemed unfocused in the first set, making crucial errors to give the Lady Bulldogs the set, 13-21. The momentum changed in the last two sets, however, as the Blue and White tandem’s composure shone. Their steady play and determined attitude allowed them to walk away from the match as victors, winning the second and third set, 21-17,21-17.
[Second Women’s Doubles]
Ramos’ forehand drive finds the opposite corner. Ateneo takes the second set with a score of 21-17 to extend the match.
Ateneo 21 NU 17#UAAPBadminton pic.twitter.com/XaryseWT4r
— Selina de Dios (@Sel_TheGUIDON) October 7, 2018
The Lady Eagles will face the NU Lady Bulldogs for the third day in a row for a chance at the finals against the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons. Their do-or-die matchup will be at 1:00 PM on Monday, October 8, at the same venue.
Team-tie Score: Ateneo 3 NU 1
1st singles: Samantha Ramos los. Sarah Barredo, 13-21, 12-21.
2nd singles: Chanelle Lunod def. Jiselle Capillo, 21-13, 21-17.
1st doubles: Chanelle Lunod/Geva De Vera def. Sarah Barredo/Thea Pomar, 17-21, 21-16, 21-17.
2nd doubles: Samantha Ramos/Bea Felizardo def. Jiselle Capillo/Jeya Pinlac, 13-21, 21-17, 21-17.
