THE UST Male and Female Golden Shuttlers ended their UAAP campaign at fifth place after losses to the National University and Ateneo de Manila University, respectively, at the Camp Crame Badminton Gym Sunday.
Defending champions NU Bulldogs defeated the Male Shuttlers, 4-1, before the Ateneo Lady Eagles clobbered the Female Shuttlers, 4-1.
Sean Dela Cruz overcame NU’s Estarco Bacalso III, 21-18, 9-21, 21-15 for the Shuttlers’ lone win.
Male Shuttler Jan Renzo Barlinan succumbed to Ryan Claurin Marfa, 21-11, 21-11, before Lanz Ramirez fell against Bulldog Solomon Padiz Jr. 21-14, 19-21, 21-15.
NU duo Julius Villabrille and James Villarante prevailed over Russell Enriquez and Josh Defensor, 14-21, 21-14, 21-13 while brothers Henry and Henric Peralta suffered a 21-19, 21-13 loss against Bulldogs Frel Gabuelo and Padiz Jr.
In women’s play, Beatriz Felizardo dominated Lady Shuttler Stephanie Grace Mortera, 21-13, 21-9, while Elij Maridaine Peña faltered against Lady Eagle Mikaela Joy De Guzman, 21-9, 21-12.
The UST pair of Mortera and Kristeen Geronimo fell short versus Chanelle Lunod and Joella De Vera, 21-16, 21-17, before De Vera also paired up with Samantha Ramos to snatch a 21-10, 21-10 win against Lady Shuttlers Peña and Alexandra Aguilar.
Kristeen Geronimo finished the matches with a win for UST against De Vera, 11-21, 22-20, 21-15.
“What we did was better than what we expected. Lalo na at nasa rebuilding phase ‘yong team,” Golden Shuttler Lanz Ramirez told the Varsitarian in an online interview.
The Male and Female Shuttlers’ 2-4 win-lose slates were an improvement from last season’s sixth place with identical 1-5 records.
