The UST Lady Shuttlers finished the UAAP Season 88 women’s badminton tournament in fourth place after falling to the UP Fighting Maroons, 3-0, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
It was the Lady Shuttlers’ third straight fourth-place finish in the UAAP, ending another year outside the podium for the 18th consecutive season.
“Maganda naman ‘yong pinakita nila. Ang pinaka-kulang lang namin in the tournament ay ‘yong mental nila,” UST head coach Pat Barredo told the Varsitarian. “Fighting spirit siguro kulang pa talaga.”
“Proud naman ako sa pinakita nila. Siguro too much lang din ang expectations ko kasi hindi kami ganito sa training. But at least, na-retain naman ‘yong Final Four.”
Reshane Nicor dropped the first singles match in a tightly contested clash against UP’s Susmita Ramos, 21-19, 22-20.
UST’s Hanie Mae de Jesus, who shared the Rookie of the Year honors with UP’s Bryss Fuggan, yielded to Anthea Gonzales, 21-15, 21-18.
UP clinched the bronze medal in the first doubles match as Krissa Marie de Leon and Risha Marie Postrano survived UST’s Jen Saladaga and Rhafi Santos, 21-18, 21-18.
“Paghahandaan naman ‘yong next year. Ang nangyari kasi ngayon ay nag-adjust ang mga players sa training program. Naninibago pa talaga lahat,” said Barredo, who coached her first UAAP season this year.
The Lady Shuttlers finished the tournament with two wins in seven games.
