THE UST Tiger and Lady Shuttlers had a rough start to their UAAP Season 87 badminton tournament campaigns, yielding to the UP Fighting Maroons and NU Lady Bulldogs, respectively, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall on Saturday, Oct. 12.
The Fighting Maroons swept the Tiger Shuttlers, 5-0.
UST’s John Espinosa crumbled against UP’s Shan Car in the first singles match, 23-21, 21-17, before Fighting Maroon Jan Albo buried team captain Lennox Cuilao, 21-3, 21-14.
In the doubles category, the Tiger Shuttler duo of Jacob Galve and Janzen Panisales fell short of extending the match as they succumbed to Fighting Maroons Mark Bernal and Enzo Rivera, 21-11, 21-13.
UP’s Raydric Abinales and Angelo Albo bested Cuilao and Vianney Miraflor in the second doubles match,14-21, 22-20, 21-10. The Fighting Maroons completed the sweep courtesy of Charles Alcarpio’s 21-16, 21-13 victory over Tiger Shuttler Ivan Tuazon.
“To be honest, expected na namin na ganun ‘yong magiging result [sa men’s] kasi kulang kami, nawala ‘yong key players namin na nagkasakit,” UST Head Coach Charlie Medina told The Varsitarian.
In women’s play, the Lady Shuttlers yielded to the National University Lady Bulldogs, 4-1.
UST’s Patricia de Leon faltered against Lady Bulldog Ysabel Amora, 21-11, 22-14, while NU’s Sarah Baredo defeated UST’s Reshane Nicor, 21-16, 21-10. Lady Bulldog Karyll Rio dominated Lady Shuttler Maria Belen, 21-8, 21-11.
In the first women’s doubles game, Lady Shuttlers Rhafi Santos and Jennifer Saladaga bowed down to NU’s Jeya Pinlac and Andria Songcuan, icing the Victory for the Lady Bulldogs, 15-21, 21-17, 21-10.
UST tandem Marielle Alvarez and Patricia De Leon averted a sweep as they took down NU’s Barredo and Gwyneth Desacola, 21-15, 11-21, 21-15.
Lady Bulldog Karylle Rio capped off the win by dominating UST’s Maria Belen, 21-8, 21-11.
“Sa womens […] hindi naman expected but ‘yong kalaban namin is galing lang sa Thailand. So, prepared e. Sa nakita ko sa lineup namin today is nagkulang kami. Nagkulang din kami sa endurance gawa ng maraming activities at galing tayo sa prelims,” Medina said.
“Talagang kailangan naming mag-mindset and magpahinga pag-uwi namin and mag-strategize kung ano ‘yong mga lineup na gagawin namin para makalusot kami and manalo kami bukas,” she added.
The UST Tiger and Lady Shuttlers will look to bounce back against Adamson University at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall on Sunday, Oct.13, at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Venerando P. Pagaduan VII
