AFTER CLAIMING their fourth straight University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) title last November, the Ateneo Women’s Badminton Team (AWBT) secured four victories in seven opening matchups in the 2024 Philippine Badminton Open (PBO) Tournament. The games occurred from June 6 to 7 at the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo, Rizal.

Starting the AWBT’s campaign in the round of 64 singles category, Angel Valle faced Katipunan rival Thea Gonzales of the University of the Philippines. The Blue Eagle struggled to find proper footing on the court after handing the UAAP Season 86 silver medalist the first set, 14-21.

Ignited to bounce back, Valle challenged Gonzales by forcing a deciding set with a win in their second set deuce, 22-20. However, the Fighting Maroon emerged victorious after a one-sided affair in the final set to halt Valle’s advancement to the next round, 21-9.

In the same round, Niesha De Guzman stood against National University’s Kate Amigable to close their opening day campaign. After losing the first set, 13-21, the Blue Eagle was still unable to overcome the Lady Bulldog who completed the sweep with a 20-22 second set.

Opening the second-day festivities for the Loyola Heights-based squad was Feeby Ferrer, who took on Adamson University’s Camille Buagas. Looking to bring AWBT’s first victory of the tournament, the veteran outlasted her adversary in a tight first set to take command of the round, 21-18. Ferrer then extended her momentum to complete the sweep in a 21-13 mastery to advance to the round of 32.

Closing out the Blue Eagles’ round of 64 bouts were Althea Fuentespina and Ferrer, who faced independent duo Sarah Viray and Venice Develos. In a great showcase of coordination and team chemistry, the Atenean tandem made quick work of their opponents in a landslide 21-2, 21-5 triumph.

In Ateneo’s first round of 32 outing, reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player and Blue Eagle of the Year Mika De Guzman staged another AWBT sweep, overwhelming De La Salle University’s Mia Manguilimotan, 21-8 and 21-7.

Mirroring De Guzman’s performance, Ferrer delivered for Ateneo in her second match of the day, advancing to the round of 16 by vanquishing San Beda University’s Isabella Dominique Pollentes in another sweep, 21-10 and 21-12.

Wrapping up this stretch of matches for Ateneo were Valle and Assistant Coach Carlo Remo, who battled UP’s Jason Vanzuela and Eanne Quiamco. In the Blue Eagles’ sole mixed doubles contest, Valle and Remo took the upper hand early on after snagging a 21-13 victory in the first set. However, the Atenean duo failed to replicate their early success, falling in the next two sets despite valiant efforts, 19-21 and 17-21.

The AWBT aims to build on their positive results as they participate in more PBO matchups tomorrow, June 8, at 8:00 AM in the same venue.