THE ATENEO blue shuttlers claimed a crucial 3-1 victory against host university, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigers to secure a top four condition, while the Ateneo lady shuttlers secured their third place finish after defeating National University (NU) in three matches to zero on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
Blue Shuttlers triumph in their UST rematch
To kick-off today’s make-or-break match, Ateneo’s Clarence Filart squared off against UST’s Yabut. The first set was tightly contested, with both players alternately exchanging points up until after the interval (16-16). Errors however, would prove to be costly for Yabut as Filart went on to win the first set for Ateneo (21-17). The second set however, proved to be different as Filart led Yabut over the course of the set to eventually take the first game by the score of 21-11.
Succeeding Filart for the second game of the day was Emilio Mangubat, who actually preceded Filart in yesterday’s defeat to UST. Mangubat took no time to assert his presence as he went on a 7-0 run to eventually enter the interval at 13-7. Mangubat would then follow up on his strong start to win the first set (21-13). The second set then proved to be no different from the first, as Mangubat once again took no time to assert his presence by starting off with a strong 6-0 run. Mangubat would eventually go on to win the set to claim the second game for the blue shuttlers (21-11).
With Ateneo now leading 2-0, the tandem of veteran Clarence Filart and team captain Sean Chan aimed to wrap up the day quickly in their doubles match against UST’s Reyes and Pantig. Unforced errors and communication errors however, would prove to be costly for Filart and Chan as UST went on to defeat Ateneo in both sets by the score of 21-16.
Following the defeat, Ateneo’s Hanz Bernardo and Emilio Mangubat paired up to take on UST in the second doubles game of the day. Over the course of the first set, UST’s tandem were visibly troubled by the aggressive style of play from both Bernardo and Mangubat. Net errors from UST, along with some thunderous smashes from Ateneo would eventually decide the first set in Ateneo’s favor (21-12). One set away from securing a final four place, Bernardo and Mangubat attempted to continue the aggressive style of play that won them the first set. However, UST seemed more prepared this time around, as they traded points with the Ateneo tandem up until the interval. Courtesy of some silky skills from Bernardo and some well-placed smashes from Mangubat, Ateneo would eventually pull away to win the game and match at 21-18.
This win catapults Ateneo into the final four along with the undefeated National University (NU), University of the Philippines (UP), and De La Salle University (DLSU).
Lady Shuttlers secure the rematch against rivals DLSU in the semi-finals
Ateneo Lady Eagles Team Captain Bianca Carlos stepped up to take on NU’s Pantoja in the first singles match. The single’s specialist unsurprisingly dominated the Lady Bulldog early in the first set, leading at the interval 11-4. Carlos continued with her array of drop shots and smashes to claim the first set comfortably (21-10). Carlos continued her fine performance well into the second set, claiming the victory with a second set score of 21-9. The victory gave Ateneo a 1-0 advantage in the team-tie.
The second match featured Lady Eagle Trixie Malibiran against NU’s Diansay. Though the first set saw the two exchange serves early in the match (7-7), the Blue and White pulled ahead at the interval (11-8). Malibiran came back strong after the interval, conceding only one point out of a total 11 points played to win the set 21-9. Malibiran continued to dominate as she claimed the second set, 21-11. At this point, Ateneo only needed another match win to claim the third place finish.
Geva De Vera teamed up with fellow shuttler Cassie Lim to play the first doubles match after impressing in their performance against UST in the previous round. The tandem got off to a quick start with De Vera particularly impressive at the net, while Lim shone defensively. The duo claimed the first set 21-14. A drop in intensity and lack of communication proved to be decisive as they lost the second set, 19-21. Looking to end the team-tie early, De Vera and Lim overturned an early three-point deficit in the third set (0-3) to claim the final set 21-14, and consequently the match-win.
The third place finish means Ateneo take on De La Salle University (DLSU) in a repeat of their fifth round tie where they heartbreakingly lost with a team-tie score of 2-3.
Following today’s results, both the blue and lady shuttlers will go head-to-head against DLSU’s badminton teams in the final four of UAAP Season 79. The blue shuttlers will battle the DLSU men’s badminton team in the first round, while the lady shuttlers will battle the DLSU women’s badminton team in the semifinals.
