THE ATENEO blue shuttlers currently stand at a 2-2 win-loss record after being defeated in the team-tie, 5-0, by this season’s reigning defending champions, the National University (NU) Bulldogs on Saturday, September 24 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
Fresh off two-straight victories against Far Eastern University (FEU) and the University of the East (UE), the blue shuttlers entered the game looking to get their third straight victory for the season. It certainly was no easy task as the shuttlers’ opponent today happened to be the reigning, season 78 defending champions, the NU Bulldogs.
Clarence Filart got the ball rolling with his singles match against last season’s rookie of the year: NU’s Keeyan Gabuelo. Gabuelo easily proved his title by defeating Filart in a battle of smashes in the first set (21-16). However, Filart responded to the challenge by besting Gabuelo in the next set, 21-14. Numerous unforced errors from Filart, along with the incredible composure Gabuelo kept, then resulted in a 21-9 victory for the Bulldogs.
The match was followed by the singles match between Ateneo’s Carlo Remo and NU’s Ross Pedrosa. From the beginning, Remo found it difficult to break down Pedrosa as he was defeated in both sets by the scores of 12-21 and 17-21. Like Filart in his final set, unforced errors costed Remo the game.
Playing next was the Ateneo tandem of Hans Bernardo and Jan E. Mangubat against the NU tandem of Palmares and Minuluan. The Ateneo pair lost both sets by the score of 19-21. Albeit the result, Bernardo and Mangubat showed several bright spots in their performance– namely the smashing that the duo displayed.
Following next was the doubles match between the Ateneo tandem of Patrick Gecosala and Fides Bagasbas against the NU tandem of Morada and Pedrosa. The Ateneo pair lost the first set courtesy of some careless errors and communication problems (8-21). The second set however, looked much brighter for the tandem as they traded points with NU up until the interval. However, a 4-0 run from the Bulldogs accompanied my net errors on Ateneo’s part, put the nail in the coffin for the tandem’s game (13-21).
The singles match between Ateneo’s Jan E. Mangubat and NU’s Minuluan was the final game of the team-tie. Mangubat got off to a strong start, leading Minuluan by five before eventually going on to win the set, 21-16. NU however, responded by taking the second set courtesy of some unforced errors from Mangubat (17-21). A third set followed with NU eventually coming out on top as the victor (16-21).
After the game, veteran Clarence Filart spoke of his reaction regarding the team’s performance. “Although some of us played well, I still feel that our performance today was kulang and even though NU has some national team players and they train everyday, I still feel like we could have done way better as a team” said Filart.
Filart also said that the defeat today was a heavy blow to both himself and the team. He added that the shuttlers will undoubtedly use today’s defeat as motivation for the crucial upcoming game against the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers. “The loss was a big hit today, but we must learn from today and use it to our advantage for the game tomorrow” said Filart
The Ateneo blue shuttlers face the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers in the fifth round of UAAP Season 79 on Sunday, September 24, inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex at Manila.
