THE ATENEO lady shuttlers conceded to the University of the Philippines (UP) two games to three on Wednesday, October 12 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
Though Ateneo managed to thump UP in the first team-tie of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) badminton finals, the Maroons came from a 2-0 deficit in the team-tie to push the series into a winner-takes-all matchup.
Singles specialist and rookie Samantha Ramos took the court as she represented Ateneo against Lady Maroon Marañon. Though Ramos conceded the first set, she looked confident and composed as she took the interval at 11-6. She proceeded to claim the win at 21-11, forcing Marañon to the ground a couple of times in the process. Though the second set saw the Lady Maroon’s attempt to keep it tight at the interval (11-9), Ramos kept calm and claimed a second set (21-14) to give Ateneo the advantage in the team-tie, 1-0.
Ateneo lady shuttlers Captain Bianca Carlos stepped up to take on UP’s Castilo in the second singles of the day. The initial stages of the match seemed to surprise the Ateneo crowd as Carlos trailed to a steady Castilo (7-9). The Blue and White skipper did not let the score demoralize her as she moved to claim both the interval (11-10) and eventually the set (21-15). Leading by example, Carlos dispelled any attempts at forcing the match into a third set, as she gave Ateneo a 2-0 advantage in the team-tie with a second set score of 21-15.
Geva De Vera teamed up with Cassie Lim with aims of putting the team-tie to bed early. The tandem found themselves trailing by six at the interval (5-11) against Francisco and Alcala but continually pushed to gain a foothold within the set post-interval. A late drop in intensity saw the Lady Eagles hand UP a set in the first doubles (13-21). From here on out, Francisco dominated the net and Alcala defended the baseline as UP claimed their first point of the team-tie (15-21).
Carlos came on once more, this time along with Chanelle Lunod, as the duo aimed to round up a quick victory for the Blue and White. The Lady Eagles found themselves down by six at the interval (5-11), courtesy of a great display of skill from UP shuttlers Inlayo and Castilo. Determined to pressure the Maroons, Carlos and Lunod were relentless in barraging UP. The tantalizing tandem of Ateneo were under pressure after giving away a double set-point (18-20, but managed to take four points straight as they claimed the first set (22-20). The second set saw a similar start as Ateneo found themselves trailing once more. Though the duo pushed late in the set, their attempts proved fruitless as they conceded the second set at 16-21. The third and final set saw Ateneo lose momentum and hand UP a draw in the team-tie after finishing at 12-21.
Lady Eagles Co-captain Trixie Malibiran took to the court against UP Captain Alcala in the deciding singles match of the team-tie. From the get-go, Alcala’s height advantage seemed to prove crucial as the UP shuttler forced Malibiran into a number of errors with her venomous smashes. The first set ended at 10-21, with Malibiran looking to make amends in the second. Despite leading by a large margin in the latter stages of the second set, Malibiran fought straight to the end as she showed both resilience and passion. The team-tie ended at 2-3 to UP after Malibiran conceded the second set (14-21), but the Ateneo crowd nonetheless sang their hearts out for their school.
Despite the heartbreaking loss to UP, Ateneo lady shuttlers Coach Kennie Asuncion said that she was proud of all her shuttlers: “they played [the team tie] with all [they have] got.” Asuncion added that there were a number of changes to both lineups, which ultimately saw UP take the team-tie on the second day. While the Lady Eagles coach believes that there must be refocusing and strategizing in terms of the lineup, she is convinced that the Ateneo lady shuttlers “want it more after [today’s loss]” and this will play a large part in the final team-tie, no matter what the lineups are.
The Ateneo Lady Eagles will be looking to take the championship in game three against UP on Saturday, October 15, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
