THE UST Male Shuttlers firmed up their hold of the third spot, while the Female Shuttlers need to win their last game to keep their campaign alive in the UAAP badminton tournament at the Jumpsmash Badminton Court in Quezon City.
The UST Male Shuttlers, who continued to struggle with a depleted lineup following the departure of veteran Salvador Kapunan, entered their sixth game with renewed ferocity and blasted Adamson University, 4-1, last Sept. 15.
The Female Shuttlers survived the Adamson Lady Falcons, 3-2, and improved to a 3-3 win-loss slate at fifth spot.
With the win, the Male Shuttlers secured a Final Four slot with a 4-2 win-loss card behind last year's runner-up Ateneo de Manila University (6-0) and defending champion National University (5-1).
UST seemed headed for a sweep as Benjude Cajefe and Paul Pantig registered a convincing victory in the second doubles' game over their Adamson counterparts, 21-12, 21-10, to put the team ahead, 4-0.
But Adamson refused to give up as Ejay Viloria clipped UST's John Edgard Reyes, 12-21, 17-21, to end the match at 1-4.
Veteran Patricia Barredo secured the win for UST in the deciding singles' game with her mastery of her Lady Falcon foe, 21-6, 21-5, to take the game for UST, 3-2.
Female Shuttlers Elainne Vinluan and rookie Maria Vizmonte earlier defeated the Adamson duo to tie the game, 2-2, via a 21-11, 21-19 performance, while sophomore Steffi Aquino registered the first win for UST in the first singles' match, 21-16, 21-12.
The Female Shuttlers will need to win against De La Salle University to have a chanceto make it to the Final Four.
A day earlier, the Male Shuttlers made quick work of the University of the Philippines (UP), 4-1.
UST's Alcaed Sabanal also showed dominance against Fighting Maroon Karl Foronda, 21-16, 21-10.
In the first doubles' match, Tigers Patricque Magnaye and Mark Sotea avoided a meltdown and pulled off a 21-16, 15-21, 22-20 nail-biting win for UST, 3-0.
Last Sept. 14, the Female Shuttlers suffered a 2-3 setback at the hands of perennial Final Four contender UP.
Barredo and Karen Montilla combined in the fourth and second doubles' game to outclass Diliman-based shuttlers Mitzel Buiza and Abigail Garcia, 21-19, 21-13.
In the fifth and clincher match, Thomasian Maria Lourdes Gaspar surrendered early against Lady Maroon Bea Bernardo, 21-10, 21-13.
