The Ateneo Women’s Badminton Team continued their dominant campaign with a remarkable 5-0 team-tie triumph over the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons on the second day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 82 Badminton Tournament on Saturday, September 21 at the Camp Crame Gymnasium, Quezon City. The Lady Eagles now stand atop the rankings unblemished at 2-0.
Up-and-coming rookie Mika De Guzman set the tone against AdU’s Cydel Pada in the first Women’s Singles. Skilled footwork and killer smash moves propelled De Guzman to a seven-point lead early in the first set, 10-3. She eased her way through the second half of the set, dispatching her opponent with a knifing smash, 21-12. Despite trailing early, 2-4, the rookie caught fire and took the set, 21-8, securing a straight-set victory and Ateneo’s first team-tie win of the day.
Setting foot on the court for the first time, Bea Felizardo faced AdU’s Lizette Dela Cuerva in the second Women’s Singles of the day. Felizardo graced her debut with a straight-set win of her own, feasting on errors from Dela Cuerva to take the first set, 21-6, and the second, 21-11.
Double mainstays and Team Captains Channelle Lunod and Joella De Vera maintained Ateneo’s winning streak in their duel with Pada and Monica Magallanes. The power duo exhibited their veteran prowess in a dominant first set showing, 21-8. The onslaught continued in the second set after a winning smash from De Vera sealed Ateneo’s third team-tie of the day with a 21-7 rout.
Continuing Ateneo’s surge, De Guzman and Samantha Ramos put on a clinic against Melody Ampusta and Janine San Ignacio. The Lady Eagles instantly found their groove, romping their way to an 11-1 lead in the first set and finishing it, 21-5. The Lady Falcons were not able to retaliate as Ateneo blasted their way t0 a 21-8 second set win, giving the Katipunan-based squad their fourth team-tie.
Lunod then suited up once again for the Lady Eagles as she battled Lady Falcon Ann Magallanes. Lunod showcased her mastery all throughout, immediately making her presence felt with an 8-1 lead early in the first set. Lunod continued to throttle as she finished the opening set, 21-9, and put the final touches on a clean team-tie sweep after a commanding 21-7 showing in the second set.
Despite their hot start, the Ateneo Lady Eagles Head Coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles is assured that the team is experienced enough to know not to rest on their laurels, saying, “I’m very happy with the win. It’s 5-0, but the team is never overconfident. They always take it seriously and I’m glad that that’s their attitude towards the games.”
The Lady Shuttlers look to continue their winning streak today, September 22, against the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, at the Camp Crame Gymnasium.
Team-tie score: Ateneo 5 AdU 0
Set scores:
First Singles: Mika De Guzman (Ateneo) defeated Cydel Pada (AdU) 2-0 (21-12, 21-8)
Second Singles: Bea Felizardo (Ateneo) defeated Lizette Dela Cuerva (AdU) 2-0 (21-6, 21-11)
Third Singles: Chanelle Lunod (Ateneo) defeated Ann Magallanes (AdU) 2-0 (21-9, 21-7)
First Doubles: Channelle Lunod and Joella De Vera (Ateneo) defeated Cydel Pada and Monica Magallanes (AdU) 2-0 (21-8, 21-7)
Second Doubles: Mika De Guzman and Samantha Ramos (Ateneo) defeated Melody Ampusta and Janine San Ignacio (AdU) 2-0 (21-5, 21-8)
