WITH THEIR eyes set on redemption, the Ateneo Women’s Badminton Team opened their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 campaign on a high note, dismantling the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Shuttlers, 5-0. The season opener took place earlier today, October 11, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in the City of Manila.
This win marks the first step toward the Blue Eagles’ bid to reclaim their throne, 1-0.
Showcasing her world-class ability, Team Captain Mika De Guzman made quick work of the day’s first singles match, earning a 2-0 victory over DLSU’s Ghisella Bautista. Constantly applying pressure with an array of well-placed drive shots, De Guzman took an early lead, 11-3. Coupled with Bautista’s error-laden play, De Guzman cruised to the first set win, 21-8.
The onset of the second set saw a much tighter competition, as De Guzman held a slim two-point lead, 8-6. However, despite the improved play of her opponent, De Guzman proved to be a cut above the rest, deploying multiple drop shots to comfortably surge ahead, 17-9. A final well-placed shot in the corner sealed the first team-tie score for the Blue Eagles, 21-10.
Determined to build upon De Guzman’s dominant beginning, sophomore Althea Dawn Ocampo went up against DLSU’s Lady Tuario in the second singles match. Ocampo wasted no time and jumped to an early 11-3 advantage. After the blazing start, however, Tuario went on a run, while Ocampo committed errors to turn the set into a point-for-point affair, cutting the Ateneo lead down, 18-14.
Despite the setback, Ocampo would eventually regain her groove, taking the set, 21-17. In the next set, Ocampo initially struggled to maintain her momentum, but was able to gain some early traction to eventually start the set on a good note with an 11-6 lead. Gaining considerable momentum, the sophomore built enough cushion to calmly take the set, 21-15, and give the Blue Eagles a 2-0 game lead.
In her return to the UAAP, Co-Captain Jochelle Alvarez paired with De Guzman to deliver the first doubles match win of the day, 2-0. Plagued by miscommunication lapses in the first stages of the set, the Blue Eagle duo quickly fell into a three-point hole, 2-5. Despite the slow start, the Blue Eagle duo rallied behind the patient play of Alvarez, tying the set at 8-8. Soon after, the Blue Eagle’s offensive prowess steadied the ship, capturing the set, 21-14.
One set away from earning their third game point, the Blue and White found themselves in a tight battle with the Lady Shuttlers midway through the second set, 9-all. As the teams exchanged points, a strong smash from De Guzman put Ateneo in the driver’s seat, 15-14. Battling off any attempts of a comeback from the Lady Shuttlers, a final hammer from De Guzman sealed the point and the match, 21-17.
Searching for the Blue Eagles’ fourth straight point, the duo of Althea Rio Fuentespina and Althea Princess Hernandez faced DLSU’s duo of Mia Maguilimotan and Venice Salapong. Exchanging points in the first stages of the set, the Blue Eagles found themselves in a slugfest, taking a one-point lead, 11-10. The Ateneo duo eventually found their footing as they took control of the rest of the set, 21-14.
Fuentespina and Hernandez showed no signs of slowing down, claiming an 11-4 run midway through the set and sealing it off in dominant fashion, 21-7. Following their impressive fourth set victory, the Blue Eagles enjoyed their commanding 4-0 lead.
Capping the first day of action, junior Angel Valle came out with a hard-fought victory over Green Shuttler Vinia Antonio to complete Ateneo’s sweep of day one, 2-1. Delivering with precise attacks, Valle showed resolve, turning an early 4-6 deficit into a tight 23-21 win in set one. However, Valle was unable to replicate her first set success, falling in the second frame, 14-21. In the ever-contested third set, Valle’s experience shone through, delivering a 21-16 win to secure the sweep for the Blue Eagles.
The Blue Eagles’ road to redemption continues against the National University Lady Bulldogs, 1:00 PM, tomorrow, October 12, in the same venue.
Team-tie Score:
Ateneo-DLSU: 5-0
Results:
First Singles: 2-0
Second Singles: 2-0
First Doubles: 2-0
Second Doubles: 2-0
Third Singles: 2-1
Current Standings (W-L):
- ATENEO Blue Eagles (1-0)
- UP Maroon Smashers (1-0)
- NU Lady Bulldogs (1-0)
- DLSU Lady Shuttlers (0-1)
- UST Lady Shuttlers (0-1)
- AdU Lady Falcons (0-1)
