The UST Tiger Shuttlers find themselves in a must-win scenario against DLSU for the remaining Final Four spots in both the men’s and women’s badminton tournaments of UAAP Season 87 after falling short in their games at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall on Saturday.
UST’s men’s and women’s badminton teams dropped to 1-3 win-loss-records following their losses on Saturday, which placed them in ties with DLSU.
The NU Bulldogs dominated the Tiger Shuttlers in men’s play, 5-0.
UST’s Haroun Sarmiento suffered a quick sweep from NU’s Lanz Zafra in their first singles match, 21-8, 21-5, before Bulldog Mark Velasco clawed Tiger Shuttler captain Lennox Cuilao, 21-7, 21-14.
In the doubles category, the Tiger Shuttlers’ duo of Janzen Panizales and Ron Galvez succumbed to NU’s pairing of Solomon Padiz Jr. and Jeno Carino, 21-13, 21-14, icing the win for the Bulldogs.
NU secured the last two matches courtesy of Nestojan Tapales and John Gam’s victory over UST’s Bien Miraflor and John Espinosa (21-16,15-21, 21-16) and Marc Perez’s domination of Tiger Shuttler Ivan Tuazon (21-19, 17-21, 21-16).
In women’s play, the Lady Shuttlers fell to the UP Fighting Maroons, 3-2.
Lady Shuttler Gabrielle Ainza faltered against Fighting Maroon Susmita Ramos, 21-5, 22-11, while UP’s Anthea Gonzales defeated UST’s Patricia De Leon, 21-7, 21-9.
In the first women’s doubles game, Lady Shuttlers Rhafi Santos and Jennifer Saladaga bowed down to UP’s Susmita Ramos and Dianne Libaton, sealing the victory for the Fighting Maroons, 21-12, 21-16.
Despite the loss, UST found a spark late and averted a sweep. The tandem of Marielle Alvarez and De Leon took down UP’s Kimberly Lao and Anthea Gonzales, 24-22, 21-16, before UST’s Reshane Nicor swept Fighting Maroon Kahrene Zapanta, 21-13, 21-15.
“Kailangan talaga ng mga players ng patience sa court during the long rallies plus the patient’s unforced error, ma-let go nila agad at makabawi agad,” UST head coach Charlie Medina told the Varsitarian. “‘Yon ang nakikita namin na kailangan namin talaga for the next match na more patience, more, unless unforced error ‘yon.”
UST and DLSU will duke it out on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the same venue.
“Bukas, alam naman din ang team, naka-mindset naman kami buong linggo na kailangan namin makuha yung bukas na game para makapasok pa rin kami sa Final Four,” Medina said. “Talagang, talagang gusto pa rin namin na mapabilang sa final four kaya papag-tratrabahuhan namin yung bounce back for tomorrow’s game.” Venerando P. Pagaduan VII with reports from Alexis Paul P. Alibogha
