THE UST Tiger Shuttlers bowed down to their National University foes in the UAAP Season 86 badminton tournaments at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Cubao, Quezon City on Saturday.
UST absorbed 3-2 and 4-1 losses in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.
Mark Velasco drew first blood for the Bulldogs after outlasting UST’s Kyle Basilio, 21-10, 20-22, 21-25, 10-21.
However, Tiger Shuttler Lennox Cuilao thwarted Bulldog Marcjoel Perez, 17-21, 21-11, 21-15, to equalize the game at 1-all.
The Tiger Shuttlers fell to a 3-1 hole after dropping both doubles matches, with Janzen Panisales and Jad Dizon absorbing a 21-17, 21-17 defeat from NU’s Solomon Padiz and July Vilabrille, and UST’s duo of Munir Bartolome and Basilio succumbing to Bulldogs James Villarante and Solomon Padiz, 21-13, 21-10.
Despite NU already securing the win, UST’s Sean Dela Cruz fought hard to win over Miko Mosarbas in the third singles match, 18-21, 21-16, 21-13.
In women’s play, Lady Shuttler Patricia de Leon gave UST its lone win, prevailing in three sets over Lady Bulldog Yvonnie Dema-ano, 21-17, 13-21, 21-18.
NU’s Ysabel Amora kept Clara Ignacio winless in the second singles match, 21-10 21-5, while her fellow Lady Bulldog Karyll Rio made a 21-17, 21-10 rout of UST’s Maria Belen.
Lady Bulldogs Sarah Barredo and Lee Ann de Leon won over UST’s Jennifer Saladaga and Rhafi Santos in the first doubles match, 15-21, 14-21.
UST’s Marielle Alvarez and De Leon bowed to NU’s Jeya Pinlac and Alysa Desacola, 21-18, 21-17, to keep the Lady Shuttlers in the losing column after three games.
The UST Tiger Shuttlers will next face Ateneo Blue Eagles, while the Lady Shuttlers gun for their first win against Adamson Lady Falcons tomorrow at the same time and venue. Ernest Martin G. Tuazon
