THE ATENEO Blue Shuttlers suffered their first defeat in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Badminton Tournament. Ateneo fell to defending champions, National University (NU), 1-4, on Thursday, September 27, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Ateneo’s Carlo Remo struggled in the first match against NU’s Mike Minuluan. The Blue and White Team Captain lost in consecutive sets, 14-21, 15-21, as Minuluan took control with effective serves and smash kills to give NU the advantage in the team-tie.
A series of lobs and backhands doomed blue shuttler Fides Bagasbas against Season 79 MVP Leeward Pedrosa. The NU shuttler made quick work in the first set, winning 7-21. Bagasbas, meanwhile, took control of the second set as he established an 11-8 lead at the interval. Constant pressure from Pedrosa at the net forced Bagasbas into a series of errors and won him the set, 16-21.
[2nd Singles]
Pedrosa drills in a kill to end the first set, 21-7. #UAAPBadminton pic.twitter.com/0UbshC4Zaw
— Miguel Policarpio (@Carps_TheGUIDON) September 27, 2018
NU sealed the team-tie victory against Ateneo in the first doubles match as Carlo Remo and Keoni Asuncion could not overcome Alem Palmares and reigning UAAP MVP Alvin Morada. The NU duo controlled the first set, 17-21, with their strong net plays. Remo and Asuncion pushed to take the match into three sets but just fell short of the mark, losing 25-27.
[1st Men’s Doubles]
Remo smashes back a lob from Morada to force a NU error. Ateneo sticking to slim lead coming out of the interval.
Ateneo 13 NU 12#UAAPBadminton pic.twitter.com/LHjLrHG5YF
— Miguel Policarpio (@Carps_TheGUIDON) September 27, 2018
In the fourth match, Sean Chan and Sito Fernandez took to the court against NU’s Minuluan and Christian Cuyno. Once again, NU took control with aggressive play at the net. The Ateneo tandem lost in consecutive sets, 10-21, 13-21.
In the final match of the day, Keoni Asuncion gave Ateneo its only match win against NU’s Thirdy Bacalso. He used a plethora of net kills and took advantage of Bacalso’s errors to avoid an NU sweep. The former Rookie of the Year took control of the net to secure close set wins , 21-13, 21-16.
[3rd Singles]
Keoni Asuncion keeps his composure to bring home the second set, 21-16, with this quick shot to end it. Ateneo salvages a win in its final match to avoid a total sweep from NU.
Team tie score: Ateneo 1 NU 4#UAAPBadminton pic.twitter.com/F4rSyZXsYO
— Miguel Policarpio (@Carps_TheGUIDON) September 27, 2018
At the end of the team-tie, Fernandez voiced the optimism of the blue shuttlers despite the loss. “Anything is possible. The games are good. Nakakasabay kami sa kanila. Winning is definitely not out of reach,” he said.
(We keep in pace with them.)
The team-tie loss puts the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a 1-1 standing in the UAAP Badminton tournament. They will look to get back to the winning ways against rivals De La Salle University (DLSU), 8:00 AM, Sunday, September 30, 2018.
Team-tie score: Ateneo 1 NU 4
Set scores:
1st Singles: Mike Minuluan def. Carlo Remo, 14-21, 15-21
2nd Singles: Leeward Pedrosa def. Fides Bagasbas, 7-21, 16-21
1st Doubles: Alvin Morada & Alem Palmares def. Keoni Asuncion & Carlo Remo, 17-21, 25-27
2nd Doubles: Christian Cuyno & Mike Minuluan def. Sean Chan & Sito Fernandez, 10-21, 13-21
3rd Singles: Keoni Asuncion def. Thirdy Bacalsa, 21-18, 21-16
