THE UST Shuttlers bowed down to the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University in the UAAP badminton tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium Friday.
The Male shuttlers missed an outright Final Four spot when UP pulled off a 3-2 heartbreaker, while La Salle blew past the women’s team, 5-0.
The Male Shuttlers duo of John Edgar Reyes and Mark Sotea survived Maroons Carl Kristian Clemente and Paul Gonzales to gain the upperhand, 16-21, 21-18, 21-15.
But UP’s Roberto Pineda and John Paul Bernardo overpowered Kristian Barrios and Juan Miguel Santiago to force a decider, 21-18, 21-9.
Male Shuttler John Paul Yabut also crumbled against Clemente, 11-21, 21-16, 9-21, as UST dropped to a 1-3 win-loss record for fifth place.
“Early celebration [ang nangyari]. Kumbaga nagrelax na to the point na hindi na kami nakahabol. Sa [Lady Shuttlers] naman, expected ang pinakailalaban ko talaga sa kanila ay UE,” head coach RJ Ormilla told the Varsitarian.
In women’s play, UST’s Maria Victoria Vizmonte and Elizabeth Ann Pimentel suffered quick losses against La Salle’s Aira Mae Albo and Alyssa Leonardo, respectively.
Lady Archers Mariya Angela Sevilla and Lindsey Tercias cruised past UST’s Venice Angelic Panotes and Evan Teope pair in the third match, 21-13, 21-6.
Sevilla completed the sweep with an easy 21-6, 21-11 victory over Panotes.
The Female Shuttlers remained winless in four games and joined University of the East at last place.
The men’s team will have to win its next two matches against the Adamson University and Ateneo de Manila University to have a shot at the top four.
The Female Shuttlers will try to get their first win against UE on Oct. 1, Sunday, at the same venue.
