THE ATENEO Lady Eagles defeated their University of the East (UE) counterparts in a 5-0 team-tie rout on the opening day of the Season 80 University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Badminton Tournament on Thursday, September 21, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
This win puts the Lady Eagles at a 1-0 win-loss record in the UAAP, an improvement from their opening-day loss to University of the Philippines (UP) last season.
The first women’s singles game saw former team captain Bianca Carlos face off against UE’s Ericka Labay. Carlos made light work of the Lady Warrior, conceding only three points in the first set, and five points in the second set. The match ended 21-3, 21-5, with Ateneo gaining the upper hand in the team-tie.
Current Team Captain Cassie Lim stepped up to take on UE’s Lyra Rosal in the second singles match of the team-tie. Lim looked to outmaneuver Rosal with her strategic and pinpoint drop shots. Initially a tense affair, the Blue and White skipper managed to pull ahead and secure a straight-set victory at 21-8, 21-8.
The first doubles of the team-tie saw Ateneo’s Carlos and Geva De Vera take on UE’s Rosal sisters. Carlos and De Vera had no problem dispatching the Lady Warriors in the first set as they took an early lead and eventually took the set, 21-13. The Lady Eagles strengthened their hold in the second set, as they edged out their UE counterparts to claim a 21-8 win and the overall victory in the team tie.
Despite already claiming the overall win against UE, the Lady Eagles continued to exert their dominance on the Lady Warriors. The tandem of Samantha Ramos and Chanelle Lunod, Season 79 Rookie of the Year, took to the court to complete four out of four match wins. The Blue and White pairing closed the match against UE’s Labay and Pamela Fernandez with 21-7 and 21-8 set wins, bringing the team-tie score to 4-0 and maintaining Ateneo’s undefeated start to the season
Season 78 team captain Trixie Malibiran was the last Lady Eagle to represent the Blue and White on the opening day. Malibiran took on Heide Rosal in the third and final singles game of the day. Similar to her teammates, Malibiran took off to a flying start, downing the Lady Warrior in straight sets at 21-6, 21-8.
Captain Lim was ecstatic with the Lady Eagles’ performance, stating the importance of starting on a high note. “I think it’s good that we started strong because we believe that if we show the opponents that we’re confident, that we’re ready, then it will affect how we play this season.”
With doubles being a key factor that needed to be addressed prior to the start of the UAAP season, the Lady Eagles faced a dilemma over how to pair up their shuttlers in the best way possible. While normally deployed as a singles player, Ramos started the second doubles match alongside Lunod, showcasing confidence and versatility. Alongside the dominant pairing of Carlos and the nationally-capped De Vera, the Lady Eagles look equipped on both fields of the team-tie.
“I think our team is much more flexible this year. We practiced both singles and doubles and we are more prepared in both events,” says Lim.
The Lady Eagles will face National University (NU) at 1 PM, Sunday, September 24 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Match Score: Ateneo 5 UE 0
Set scores:
First Women’s Singles: 21-3, 21-5
Second Women’s Singles: 21-8, 21-8
First Women’s Doubles: 21-13, 21-8
Second Women’s Doubles: 21-7, 21-8
Third Women’s Singles: 21-6, 21-8
