WITH MOMENTUM on their side, the Ateneo Blue Shuttlers remained undefeated; sweeping the National University Bulldogs, 5-0, on August 29, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. En route to their demolition, only one set was dropped, as Patrick Natividad, Paolo Sunga, Toby Gadi, Rainier Tiam-Lee, and Justin Natividad all displayed solid performances, not letting a single mishap blemish their perfect record.
The first—and perhaps the only game which posed a threat—was Patrick Natividad’s match against Philippine national team stalwart, Joper Escueta. As the only game which extended to three sets, Natividad claimed the first set 21-16.
Escueta, however, clawed back in the second set, 21-15, with good shot placement, while Natividad committed one too many net errors.
In the third and determining set, both players held their ground as neither could break away. At 5-5, Natividad went on a run of points which gave him a comfortable six point cushion at 13-7—a lead in which he would never give up.
After a series of exchanges, and a thrilling rally won by Escueta, the match was at its most critical at 18-16. Despite a number of clear-cut winners by Escueta, Natividad composed himself, eventually capping the match off 21-18.
Of the match, Natividad said, “In the UAAP you play for your school, not yourself, and that made me work harder.”
For team Ateneo, it was smooth sailing from here. The second singles match of the morning featured the poised Ateneo captain, Sunga, overpower Nil Nim, in true professional fashion. Without an answer to Sunga’s solid smashes, the NU Shuttler bowed down, 21-11, 21-11.
Gadi and Natividad secured the Blue Shuttlers fourth win in the round-robin by defeating the NU duo of Escueta and Jayson Oba-ob, 21-9, 21-15. The second doubles team of Justine Natividad and Tiam-Lee kept the momentum rolling defeating the NU duo of Nim and Jeff Calot. Natividad and Tiam-Lee started slow, but soon found their rhythm to a 21-17, 21-9 solid win.
The last game of the morning between Gadi and Oba-ob, saw the Ateneo stalwart steamroll his opponent with an easy 21-8, 21-5 victory. Midway through the UAAP season, Gadi has yet to drop a set.
Now at 4-0, the Blue Shuttlers will look to maintain their streak against UE, September 4 (Saturday), at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Box Score:
Patrick Natividad def. Joper Escueta
21-17, 15-21, 21-18
Paolo Sunga def. Nil Nim
21-11, 21-11
Patrick Natividad & Toby Gadi def. Joper Escueta & Jayson Oba-ob
21-9, 21-15
Ranier Jared TIam-Lee & Justin Natividad def. Nil Nim & Jeff Calot
21-17, 21-9
Toby Gadi def. Jayson Oba-ob
21-8, 21-6
Men’s Badminton Standings:
- Ateneo (4-0)
UST (4-0)
- DLSU (3-1)
UP (3-1)
- NU (1-3)
- AdU (0-4)
UE (0-4)
