THE UST Lady Shuttlers placed fourth in the UAAP Season 86 women’s badminton tournament after falling to National University in their battle for bronze, 3-1, at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Cubao on Sunday, Nov. 12.
Patricia de Leon succumbed to NU’s Karyll Rio, 21-14, 21-10, while Ysabel Amora overpowered sophomore Lady Shuttler Maria Belen, 22-20, 21-11.
UST’s duo of Rhafi Santos and Jennifer Saladaga overcame a slow start to outlast Sarah Barredo and Lee Ann de Leon in three sets, 20-22, 21-11, 21-19.
NU’s duo of Jeya Pinlac and Alyssa Desacola swept De Leon and her fellow Lady Shuttler Marielle Alvarez to secure the Lady Bulldogs’ bronze-medal finish, 21-16, 21-18.
De Leon won the Rookie of the Year award in the women’s division.
The Lady Shuttlers ended their Season 86 run with a 2-5 win-loss record, while NU bagged bronze with a 5-2 card.
UST’s fourth-place finish this season is the highest placement the Lady Shuttlers have achieved since Season 75. The team last won a women’s badminton title in Season 70.
The Lady Shuttlers will lose the service of Saladaga come Season 87.
