THE UST Tiger Shuttlers claimed their first win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s badminton tournament after edging the Adamson University Soaring Falcons, 3-2, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall, on Sunday, Oct. 12.
The Tiger Shuttlers improved to a 1-1 record, while Adamson dropped to 0-2.
UST’s Lenox Cuilao opened the matchup with a three-set win against John Russel Oliveros, 15-21, 21-15, 24-22.
Tiger Shuttler Juan Miguel Sison followed it up with a dominant victory against Adamson’s Heaven Linaban, 21-8, 21-13.
In the first doubles match, UST’s Ron Jacob Galve and Bien Miraflor fell to Oliveros and Nathaniel Acedillo, 21-14, 29-27.
John Vincent Espinoza and Janzen Panisales overcame a poor first set and fended off Gabriel Ganoy and Noel Hernandez Jr. via reverse sweep, 13-21, 21-11, 21-13.
UST team captain Ivan Tuazon then faltered against Nathaniel Acedillo in the last singles match, 10-21, 21-16, 21-14.
“Maganda ‘yong nilaro nila, much better than yesterday.” UST head coach R-Jay Ormilla told the Varsitarian. “Pero still, ‘yong mga nag-click kahapon, hindi nag click ngayon, while ‘yong mga hindi nag-click kahapon, nag-click naman ngayon.”
“Hopefully sa game against NU, mas maging buo kami para kapag ito nagsabay-sabay, we can give them a good fight,” he added.
The Tiger Shuttlers will look to upset the defending champion NU Bulldogs in their next game on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the same venue. Kurt Russel Vincent Miranda
