WHAT’S THE first step in showing that you’re a championship contender? Make a big opening day statement.
Showcasing a formidable and renewed arsenal of skills, the Ateneo Blue Shuttlers, who garnered bronze last year, did more than just declare a statement, they came out with all guns ablaze dominating and sweeping the FEU Tamaraws, 5-0, on August 21, during the opening day of the 73rd UAAP Badminton Season at the Rizal Sports Complex.
Rookie Pawee Natividad spearheaded the Katipunan-based Shuttlers, smashing his way to a superb UAAP debut by outclassing Randolph Balatbat, 2-0 (21-11, 21-15) to the delight of his teammates who were excited to witness the rookie’s first ever UAAP match.
In the second match of the morning, national team stalwart and last season’s Rookie of the Year, Tobi Gadi, sustained Ateneo’s piercing start as he performed as expected, dominant and sensational. Gadi defeated Bangan in straight sets, 2-0 (21-7,21-5).
The third match, a doubles match, proved to be the biggest scare. FEU’s Flores and Bautista snatched the opening set, 21-19, over the Blue Shuttlers’ duo of Ranier Tiam-Lee and Mark Natividad. Down 17-20 in the second set, the Ateneo duo unleashed a pulsating rally that enthralled the audience and salvaged the extended set, 27-25, to force a sudden-death third set. Buoyed up by their second set-comeback, the athletic Natividad and the error-riddled Tiam-Lee, came out with renewed vigor, shouting and screaming in confidence to complete the come-from-behind win, 21-14.
Gadi and team captain Paolo Sunga displayed their athletic prowess with booming smashes and dazzling plays, defeating their opponents easily, 21-14 and 21-8 in the fourth match to set up the stage for the final match of what loomed to be an impeccable opening day.
It was up to last year’s team captain, Ap Sanchez, to punctuate a blemish-free opening day and punctuate it he did. The cat-quick Sanchez did not disappoint, defeating FEU’s Bautista, 2-1, (21-12, 17-21, 21-13) while enchanting the crowd with his high-flying smashes and incredible footwork.
The Blue Shuttlers’ next step is to sustain the momentum, as they face UP tomorrow, Sunday, August 22 9am at the Rizal Sports Complex Badminton Hall.
