THE UST Lady Shuttlers ended their UAAP Season 87 campaign in fourth place, yielding to the NU Lady Bulldogs, 3-0, in the women’s badminton bronze medal match at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
This marked the second straight year the Lady Shuttlers finished just outside the podium. NU also defeated them in last year’s battle for bronze.
The last time the Lady Shuttlers made the podium was in Season 71, a year after they last won the title in Season 70.
UST’s Angelina Vitangcol succumbed to NU’s Ysabel Amora, 21-19, 21-15, while Karylle Rio outmuscled Lady Shuttler Reshane Nicor, 21-19, 21-16.
After NU’s 2-0 start, the Tiger Shuttler duo of Rhafi Santos and Jennifer Saladaga managed to snatch a set against NU’s pairing of Jeya Pinlac and Andria Songcuan, but it wasn’t enough to keep UST alive as they ultimately bowed down, 18-21, 21-8, 21-10.
“Nakita ko naman gusto nilang manalo, nilalaban nila, pero ‘yon nga, nakukulangan,” UST head coach Charlie Medina told the Varsitarian. “Talagang very tough din ‘yong kalaban, gusto rin manalo.”
UST will lose the services of Santos in Season 88.
The Lady Shuttlers ended their Season 87 campaign with a 2-5 win-loss record, while NU ended with a 5-2 card.
