THE ATENEO Women’s Badminton Team (AWBT) triumphed in their finals rematch against Katipunan rivals the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (UP), 3-2, yesterday at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Quezon City.
The convincing win gave the Blue Eagles a flawless 5-0 record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 Women’s Badminton Tournament. As such, the win also officially sends the Blue Eagles to the Final Four.
Ateneo standout Jochelle Alvarez opened today’s competition with a win over UP’s Aldreen Concepcion in the first Women’s Singles bout, 2-0. Maintaining consistency on defense, the Ateneo veteran displayed her prowess by quickly taking both sets, 21-6, 21-12.
Aiming to position the Blue and White nearer to a team-tie win, AWBT Team Captain Mika De Guzman commanded the second Women’s Singles matchup against Thea Gonzales, 2-0. Despite early errors from both players, it was the Ateneo shuttler that quickly closed off any chance of a UP run by using a dazzling array of shots to take two straight sets, 21-11, 21-14.
In spite of their efforts to close off the matchup with an early team-tie win, Ateneo rookie Angel Valle and co-captain Missy Cervantes were unable to take over in the first Women’s Doubles match against Fighting Maroons Gonzalez and Susmita Ramos, 0-2. While the Ateneo duo tried to control UP’s offensive displays, their inability to find momentum forced them to drop both sets, 12-21, 14-21.
Chances of a UP comeback in the team-tie score were quickly shut down as De Guzman and Alvarez outmatched Patricia De Dios and Trishia Opon in the second Women’s Doubles match, 2-0. Initially cruising past the first set, 21-8, the Blue Eagle duo entered a tight second set that saw them on top, 21-18. Eventually, this triumph allowed the AWBT to win the matchup with a team-tie score of 3-1.
Looking to expand the team-tie lead, Valle closed yesterday’s bout in the third Women’s Singles match against UP’s Ramos. Despite the Ateneo rookie’s efforts to break UP’s lead, the Fighting Maroons’ aggressive playstyle forced the Blue Eagle to drop two straight sets, 15-21, 16-21.
Star shuttler Mika De Guzman shared her thoughts on the team ahead of their entry into the Final Four, “Thankfully, everyone finished strong sa round robin, but of course may Top Four pa. I think we’re really motivated to defend our title this year.”
The AWBT look to continue their championship bid this season as they enter the Final Four this Friday, November 10, 1:00 PM at the same venue. They face off against the number-four ranked University of Santo Tomas Female Shuttlers in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Current Standings (W/L)
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (5-0)
- NU (4-1)
- UP (3-2)
- UST (2-3)
- DLSU (1-4)
- AdU (0-5)
