The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons snagged two podium finishes in the UAAP Season 87 Badminton Tournaments on Oct. 30 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
The UP Men’s Badminton Team clinched bronze after sweeping the University of Santo Tomas (UST), while the Lady Shuttlers captured their 10th title after prevailing over four-time defending champions Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).
Stern as bronze
Precision and dominance were at full display for the UP Men’s Badminton Team as they dismantled the UST Golden Shuttlers, 3-0, to retain their spot at the podium with a third-place finish.
Maroon mainstay Jelo Albo made quick work of UST skipper Lennox Cuilao in the opening match as he took a 21-4, 21-7 straight-set victory to bring State U to an early 1-0 advantage.
Rookie Shan Clar quickly followed suit in the second singles match against Ivan Tuazon, shrugging off a slow start to claim a 21-16 first-set win and closing out the succeeding set with a 21-9 beatdown to lift the Fighting Maroons to match point.
State U refused to give any opportunities for an España comeback with the duo of Mark Bernal and Enzo Rivera overwhelming the pairing of Culiao and Bien Miraflor with twin 21-12 victories to secure the series.
Alongside UP’s third consecutive bronze finish since Season 85, Clar was also hailed as the Rookie of the Year for the men’s division.
Hailing from Surigao Del Sur, the 18-year-old newcomer admitted he was taken by surprise when he was named for the award.
“Di ko siya in-expect, kasi throughout sa games ko, focused lang ako sa laro, focused lang ako paano makaka- contribute sa team,” an inspired Clar shared in a post-event interview with Tinig ng Plaridel.
“Ang inspiration ko po talaga is ‘yung mga taong sumusuporta sa akin … ‘yung mga parents [ko], ‘yung coaches and mga training staff,” he added.
The men’s crew secured the third seed with a 3-2 slate in the elimination round, but was denied a chance of a spot in the gold medal match by first runner-ups Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Title drought quenched
After two seasons, the Katipunan side finally banners the shade of maroon as the UP Women’s Badminton Team dethroned the five-peat-seeking Ateneo Blue Eagles, 3-1, to claim their tenth championship.
This marks the end of an eight-year title drought for the Lady Shuttlers, who settled for back-to-back silver finishes behind their Katipunan rivals in Seasons 85 and 86.
Co-captain Susmita “Sushi” Ramos opened State U’s championship bid in a thrilling duel against reigning MVP Mika De Guzman, with the latter escaping after a 21-18, 9-21, 21-23 reverse sweep to put the Blue Eagles up front.
UP’s Thea Gonzalez delivered the counterpunch for her squad in the second singles game after cruising past Maxene Olango with a 21-5, 21-7 crusher, tying the series.
Ramos was able to avenge her opening match loss at the first doubles game with Precious Libaton, edging out the combination of De Guzman and Althea Ocampo in a 21-13, 21-19 win to gain a 2-1 series lead.
Poised to take the championship, the duo of Kimy Lao and Gonzalez delivered the final blow of the series as they triumphed over Ateneo’s Olango and Feeby Ferrer, with back-to-back 21-19 tightly-contested victories to bring back the women’s badminton reign to the Diliman side.
Aside from adding a championship to her resume, Gonzalez was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
This counts as her second individual UAAP award, with her first being the Rookie of the Year plum back in Season 85.
Co-captain Ramos expressed her glee in bringing a championship back to Diliman after training under the Fighting Maroons since her teenage years.
“For me, it’s a dream come true since I was a part of the team since I was fourteen years old, so to be part of a champion[ship] team, it’s very overwhelming sa feeling, and at the same time, grabe ‘yung saya,” she shared in a post-game interview with Tinig ng Plaridel.
The women’s squad notched a flawless 5-0 record during the elimination phase, before booking their spot in the finals at the expense of the UST Lady Shuttlers during the semis.
UPMBT Team-Tie score: UP-UST: 3-0
1st Singles: Albo (W 21-4, 21-7)
2nd Singles: Clar (W 21-16, 21-9)
1st Doubles: Beral/Rivera (W 21-12, 21-12)
UPWBT Team-Tie score: UP-Ateneo: 3-1
1st Singles: Ramos (L 21-18, 9-21, 21-23)
2nd Singles: Gonzalez (W 21-5, 21-7)
1st Doubles: Libaton/Ramos (W 21-13, 21-19)
2nd Doubles: Gonzalez/Lao (W 21-19, 21-19)
