THE UST Tiger Shuttlers dropped their UAAP Season 86 badminton tournament openers, absorbing 4-1 losses to the UP Fighting Maroons in the men’s and women’s divisions at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Cubao, Quezon City on Saturday.
After losing the first four matches, Sean de la Cruz thwarted UP’s sweep attempt and delivered the lone win for UST over Raydric Abinales, 19-21, 21-8, 21-18.
UST’s Jad Dizon and Lennox Cuilao faltered against UP’s Kervin Llanes (21-5, 21-13) and Jelo Albo (22-20, 21-9) in the singles category,.
UP’s duo of Raydric Abinales and Michael Clemente swept the tandem of Munir Bartolome and Kyle Basilio in the first doubles match, 21-13, 21-18.
Tiger Shuttlers Janzen Panisales and Cuilao crumbled in three sets against Jason Vanzuela and Albo in the second doubles match, 21-10, 21-19, 21-15.
In women’s play, Lady Shuttlers Rhafi Santos and Jen Saladaga notched UST’s lone win, outlasting UP’s Andrea Abalos and Kimberly Lao in the first doubles match, 18-21, 21-14, 21-18.
However, Fighting Maroons Susmita Ramos and Thea Gonzales swept UST’s Patricia de Leon and Marielle Alvarez, 21-17, 21-17.
Ramos also made quick work of UST’s team captain Clara Ignacio in the first singles match, 21-12, 21-9, while Gonzales prevailed over De Leon in the next singles match, 23-21, 12-21, 13-21.
UST’s Lizzy Belen also succumbed to Aldreen Concepcion in the final singles match, 21-10, 21-13.
The UST Tiger Shuttlers will next face Adamson University, while the Lady Shuttlers will go against Ateneo de Manila University tomorrow at the same time and venue.
