GOING AGAINST the school that bested them for the gold last season, the Ateneo Men’s Badminton Team lost to the National University (NU) Bulldogs at the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 badminton tournament, 5-0, held today at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
Today’s defeat to the defending champions was the Blue Eagles’ first loss of the season, settling to a 3-1 win-loss record in the tournament.
Clarence Filart featured in the first men’s singles, taking on NU’s Miranda. The first set saw both combatants locked in a tight affair, refusing to give ground. However, Filart eventually managed to pull away in the first set, 21-18.
In the second set, Filart once again saw himself as the more dominant of the two, as he led Miranda for the majority of the set. However, unforced errors proved costly for the veteran as he eventually lost the set, 20-22. Unlike the previous sets, Filart eventually found himself conceding the set by 12 points, 9-21.
Keoni Asuncion then stepped up to the plate for the second singles match of the day, taking on Keeyan Gabuelo. A slow start from Gabuelo gave Asuncion the lead early on in the first set; however, Gabuelo’s aggressive style of play eventually saw him take the first set for NU, 21-16. In the second set, Gabuelo took control of the court, winning the set, 21-15
Veteran Sean Chan then teamed up with rookie Gibby Paña in the first men’s doubles, clashing with the Minuluan-Cuyno tandem of NU. The NU pair were dominant throughout, punishing Chan and Paña with attack after attack to win in straight sets 9-21, 11-21 and claim the team-tie victory.
Hobie Sinfuego and Patrick Gecosala then featured in the second doubles game of the day, clashing with the Morada and Palmares of NU. Even with the victory in the bag, NU again proved their dominance, defeating the pair at 7-21, 10-21.
Team Captain Carlo Remo closed the match for the Blue Eagles in the last singles game of the day where he losr, 20-22, and 12-21.
The Blue Eagles will be looking to bounce back from today’s defeat tomorrow as they battle the University of the Philippines at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
Match Score: Ateneo 0 NU 5
Set Scores:
First Men’s Singles: 21-18, 20-22, 9-21
Second Men’s Singles: 16-21, 15-21
First Men’s Doubles: 9-21, 11-21
Second Men’s Doubles: 7-21, 10-21
Third Men’s Singles: 20-22, 12-21
