THE BATTLE for number one, win number one that is, took place on September 4 in the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall, when the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers faced the NU Lady Bulldogs. Pressured by the fortunes of a first victory, the ladies in Blue prevailed against their rivals, winning 4-1. Not only did this day signify the Ladies’ first team win, but also Audrey Ng’s first UAAP win, who furthered her performance with a second win in the third singles.
Despite the overall victory, the Lady Shuttlers started off on a bad note, with Lisa Encarnacion bowing down to Kristine Padura (17-21, 16-21). The error-ridden Encarnacion was unable to materialize on the offensive front, despite making a comeback in the first set 19-17, Padura eventually claimed the set 21-17.
“I didn’t read her right away, and she already had a big lead by the time I was able to”, Encarnacion commented about her performance.
But from that point onward, nothing could stop the ladies in Blue. Carla Lizardo struck back with a commanding win over Lea Mangoba (21-13, 21-15). Lizardo dictated the pace of the match, yet it was her determination—exemplified by the Maria Sharapova-like scream she let out after winning a point of a fearsome smash—which won her the game.
The Lady Shuttlers’ winning streak continued as Audrey Ng and Encarnacion defeated Lovely Talpacido and Padura in two close sets (22-20, 22-20). The win was not an easy one as the Lady Bulldogs gave the Lady Shuttlers a brawl, bringing things down to the very end—both extending past the 21 match point mark. However, what set the pairs apart was Ng’s heroics. The hard-hitting Ng bannered the Ateneo duo to victory, reconfirming the win off a powerful smash at match point – which also gave Ng her first ever UAAP career win.
Captain, and UAAP veteran, Lizardo led, rookie, Calacday under her wing to solidify the (21-19, 21-13) Ateneo win, with a dominating performance over Irish Pasion and Mangoba. The (21-19) score of the first set is a poor representation of the Ateneo sides’ performance; the Lady Bulldogs had no answer to the Lady Shuttlers’ offensive combination of Calacday’s precision net play and Lizardo’s stifling smashes.
The win gave Ateneo the 3-1 lead, and, more importantly, the much deserved first team win for Ateneo. “I’m just really happy, and I’m proud of [the Lady Shuttlers] because there was a lot of pressure going into this game”, Lizardo said about the Ateneo win.
However, the Lady Shuttlers’ were not done yet. The game’s “icing on the cake” was Ng, extending her career wins to two as she ousted Taplacido (21-13, 21-15) in two sets. “I owe it all to coach,” Ng plainly stated about her outstanding performance.
The Lady Shuttlers’ play their next game against the UST Tigresses on Sunday, September 4, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Author’s Note:
Team Standings
DLSU (5-0)
UE (5-0)
FEU (4-1)
UST (2-3)
UP (2-3)
AdU (1-4)
ADMU (1-4)
NU (0-5)
