THE ATENEO Badminton Team copped silver after a grind-out multi-day stint at the third Philippine Inter-Collegiate Badminton Championships (PIBC). The tournament took place from September 6 to 9 at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Quezon City.

Semi-Finals (September 8) vs. De La Salle-College of St. Benilde

Opening the semifinals for the Blue and White, Robert Ramos set the tone with a masterclass in agility and control, dispatching De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s (CSB) Arlon Alonzo in the men’s singles. Throughout the shuttlewise bout, Ramos kept his cool under pressure, outmaneuvering the Benilde Blazing Shuttler with sharp cross-court smashes to clinch both sets, 21-18, 21-14.

Riding on this early wave of success, Ateneo rookie Althea Ocampo stepped onto the court like a seasoned pro, dismantling Lady Blazer Yvonne Aquino in the women’s singles. Ocampo unleashed an arsenal of pinpoint drop shots and ruthless clears that left Aquino scrambling to keep up, ultimately sealing a straight-set victory, 21-8, 21-5.

Wrapping up a perfect day for the Blue and White, Charles Bagasbas and Allen Penute outplayed CSB’s Troy Oliveros and Ranie Rey Mullet with powerful drives and sneaky net flicks, advancing to the finals with a 21-11, 21-15 win.

Finals (September 9) vs. University of the Philippines

Initiating Ateneo’s charge for the title, reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player Lyrden Laborte took on the University of the Philippines (UP)’s Kervin Llanes. In a lopsided affair, the Blue Eagle took the match in two sets, 21-9, 21-11. 

Sophomore Angel Valle sought to increase Ateneo’s advantage in team-ties as she clashed with UP’s Anthea Gonzalez. The Blue Eagle was unable to hit the ground running throughout the match as she was held to within nine points on both sets, 9-21, 9-21.

With the team-tie score tied at one apiece, Blue Eagles Allen Penute and Charles Bagasbas suffered a tough defeat against UP’s Johann Abinales and RA Pedron. In the men’s doubles category, the Katipunan-based squad failed to keep up with the Fighting Maroons in the closing stages of both sets, 15-21, 17-21.

Ultimately, Ateneo’s Missy Cervantes and Althea Ocampo had the crucial task to even up the score and keep the Blue Eagles’ title bid alive. Facing off against Susmita Ramos and rookie Dianne Libaton, the Atenean tandem dropped two straight sets and ultimately conceded the title, 12-21, 14-21.

Despite coming up just shy of the PIBC championship, the Ateneo Men’s and Women’s Badminton Teams still hold good odds of defending their UAAP titles this upcoming Season 87. 

Final Rankings:

Champions – University of the Philippines

1st Runner Up – Ateneo de Manila University

2nd Runner Up – Adamson University and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde