THE ATENEO lady shuttlers defeated their National University (NU) counterparts with four out of five wins (4-1) on Saturday, September 24 2016 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
This win puts the Lady Eagles at 3-1 win-loss record in the University of Athletics Association (UAAP) season following their season opener defeat to University of the Philippines (UP) and their successive 5-0 thumpings of Far Eastern University (FEU) and University of the East (UE).
The opening game saw Ateneo lady shuttlers captain Bianca Carlos take on NU’s Capillo. Carlos claimed an early lead with the first three points going to the blue and whites captain (3-0). She continued to dominate until the interval, holding a comfortable seven-point lead (11-4). Carlos only added to her lead as the set entered its final stages, eventually winning it, 21-11. The second set saw little difference with Carlos clearly in control of the game. The second interval saw a repeat score of 11-4 in favor of Carlos, who proceeded to claim a match point with an unbelievable no-look, backhand shot that saw Capillo speechless. The Ateneo captain claimed the set with a score of 21-12, giving Ateneo the advantage in the team-tie (1-0).
Samantha Ramos looked to extend Ateneo’s lead as she fought Pantoja in the second singles match. The Lady Eagle found it difficult to outplay the Lady Bulldog in the initial stages of the game, as the opponents continued to exchange services. Ramos kept a slim lead ahead of the interval (8-7) but could only keep her one-point advantage going into it (11-10). After a discussion with Coach Asuncion, Ramos got off to a great start claiming the first point after the interval (12-10). A very dominant display saw Ramos take nine straight points to make it 19-10 and claim the first set at a comfortable 21-11. Ramos, now beaming with confidence continued her winning streak, managing a total of 14 out of 15 points at one point (3-0). Pantoja looked disheartened at the interval as she trailed to Ramos by seven points (11-4) and Ramos’ continued hammering of the Lady Bulldog left her at a loss for words. The second set finished 21-9, with the team-tie score at 2-0, in favor of Ateneo.
The first doubles match and third match overall saw Trixie Malibiran team up with Bianca Carlos, with the duo aiming defeat Capillo and Diansay to take the team-tie early. Though the blue and white tandem took the first two points with ease, the Lady Bulldogs managed to get into groove pulling ahead as the interval drew closer (6-7). The Lady Eagles worked hard to take the lead at the interval but could simply not maintain it as the game progressed, eventually losing the set to NU (16-21). The Bulldogs continued to control the match, as Carlos and Malibiran found themselves down by six at the interval (5-11). Though Carlos put in an amazing shift claiming winner after winner with a number of huge smashes, the NU duo simply would not budge, claiming their second set with a score of 18-21. The match piled pressure on the Ateneo lady shuttlers, taking the team-tie score to 2-1, still in favor of Ateneo.
Sisters Jana and Geva De Vera stepped up to play the second doubles of the day, wanting to put the team-tie to bed ahead of the last match. The duo faced NU’s Dizon and Cuilao. The lady shuttlers took an early lead which they managed to keep throughout the first half of the set, resting at the interval with a reasonable 11-8 scoreline. The De Vera sisters then came back with a more aggressive look to their plays, claiming an extraordinary win 21-12. The second set saw a similar score-line (6-3) in the early stages of the set, with the Lady Eagles claiming the advantage at the interval once more (11-6). Geva De Vera’s continuous hounding of Dizon’s weaker backhand saw the lady shuttlers cruise to victory in the second set (21-15). Consequently, Ateneo claimed the team-tie win, claiming three out of the four games played.
The last match of the day saw Chanelle Lunod take on Diansay. Lunod struggled to keep up with Dainsay, losing a number of key points to drop shots. While the lady shuttler managed some impressive smashes, Diansay claimed the interval (7-11) and eventually the first set (16-21) despite late resistance from Lunod. Determined to win, Lunod upped the intensity with which she played, attempting more smashes and drop shots against the Lady Bulldog. Lunod capitalized on unforced errors from Diansay to comfortably claim the second set (21-12) and push the match into its last set. From its onset, the third set was neck and neck, as either of the players looked to claim the match, having outplayed one another in either of the sets. Lunod squandered a six-point lead but managed to gain a match point ahead of Diansay (20-19). Taking no chances, Lunod smashed one down the line to claim the win and take the team-tie score to 4-1, in favor of Ateneo.
The third team-tie win for the Ateneo lady Shuttlers puts the blue and whites on par with their next opponent, De La Salle University, with both teams holding a 3-1 team-tie record.
The Lady Eagles will face the Lady Archers at 1 pm, Sunday, September 25 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
