THE ATENEO lady shuttlers fell to University of the Philippines (UP) one game to three (1-3) in the third finals match on Saturday, October 15 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) finals, the Maroons overcame a 2-0 deficit in the second team-tie to force a do-or-die matchup. UP then proceeded to defeat Ateneo in four matches to retain their UAAP Badminton crown.
Ateneo lady shuttlers Captain Bianca Carlos stepped up to take on UP’s Bernardo in the first singles of the day. The Blue and White skipper found herself trailing by a huge six points (2-8) in the early stages of the first set. Carlos fought back to close the gap to three by the interval (8-11) and eventually outplayed Bernardo to take the lead (14-13).
The Lady Eagle then went on a run of points and claimed the first set after initially struggling (21-16). Carlos fell into a similar situation in the second set as she trailed by the interval (5-11) but she dug deep to even the scores at the very end (18-18) and edge out her UP counterpart (21-19). This gave Ateneo a 1-0 lead in the team-tie.
Singles specialist and rookie Samantha Ramos took the court as she represented Ateneo against Lady Maroon Castilo. Ramos initially kept pace with the Lady Maroon as she continually impressed with an array of drop shots to either side of the court. A string of unforced errors saw her early work undone as Castilo claimed the advantage at the interval (7-11). Ramos continued to press Castilo but the Maroon eventually claimed the set (14-21).
The Ateneo lady shuttler fell behind early in the second set with Castilo, continuing on her momentum from the first set. The interval (5-11) saw the UP lady shuttler hold a substantial lead, but Ramos did not consider herself out of the match just yet. The Blue and White pushed to force the set into a deuce at the death (20-20) after overturning two match points but could not outsmart a determined Castilo who eventually won the set at 22-24. The team-tie stood at 1-1.
Coach Kennie Asuncion decided to switch-up her doubles pairings to play co-captain Trixie Malibiran with Samantha Ramos in an attempt to outdo UP’s dominant duo of Alcala and Francisco. Initial points showed promise as Ateneo looked hungry for their first doubles win of the finals. The interval saw UP take a three-point lead which they extended post-interval to win the set, 15-21. The second set saw a similar opening, with Alcala and Francisco managing to edge out Malibiran and Ramos by the interval, 6-11. The UP duo looked determined to put the game to bed as Alcala began to rain smashes from the baseline. This aggressive play saw Ateneo concede the second set (17-21) and footing in the team-tie as they fell behind UP, 1-2.
Carlos came on once more, this time along with Geva De Vera, as the duo aimed to set the Blue and White Katipunans on equal footing with the Maroon Katipunans. Despite claiming the interval at 11-9, the Lady Eagles could not hold on to their advantage, ceding their lead late in the set. Determined to claim the set, Carlos led by example to tie it up at 19-all. The tantalizing Ateneo tandem played their hearts out, as they claimed the first set (23-21). The duo could not however stop a resilient UP who managed to get the second set at 12-21 before dispatching Ateneo in the third set of a similar score line to claim the match-win and the championship.
Despite losing out to UP in the finals for a third consecutive year, Carlos was keen to heap praise on all of her teammates. “I’m very proud of everyone, I know they played their best. We were stronger today and we gave [UP] a good fight. We made history, and I’m proud of that,” she said.
Rookie Chanelle Lunod also managed to claim the Rookie of the Year Award after several brilliant displays across the season. Carlos was also eager to congratulate her teammate, saying that “she has huge potential.” The Ateneo lady shuttlers captain added that Lunod was strong, fierce, and brave—all the necessary traits to go very far.
