THE UST Golden Shuttlers suffered back-to-back losses in the UAAP Season 80 badminton tournament opener at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Sept. 21.
The Male Shuttlers collapsed against the De La Salle University Green Shuttlers, 2-3, while the Female Shuttlers remained winless following a 5-0 loss against the National University.
UST’s Joed Reyes and John Paul Yabut sealed the first two singles’ matches for an early advantage.
But La Salle stormed back and won the next three matches, with Cayel Pajarillo overpowering Male Shuttler Cris Sanchez in the fifth match to seal the comeback, 15-21, 10-21.
“Nung nanalo na kami sa men’s ng dalawang beses, doon nag-relax na sila. Pagdating sa women’s, ‘di ako ganoon nagexpect but still they did good,” debuting UST head coach RJ Ormilla told the Varsitarian.
In womens’ play, NU’s Thea Marie Pomar and Jiselle Capillo scored quick wins against the Female Shuttlers.
UST’s Anne Pimentel then fell to Mitzi Pantoja in the fifth match as the Lady Bulldogs secured the sweep.
The Golden Shuttlers will try to bounce back against the National University and the University of the Philippines in the men’s and women’s division, respectively, on Sept. 23, Saturday, at the same venue.
