THE UST Tiger Shuttlers fell short in their opening match against the UP Fighting Maroons, 2-3, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s badminton tournament, at Gameville Central Park, on Saturday, Oct. 17.
UST’s Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor defeated UP’s Arjay Lazareto and Ryan Mendoza, 21-18, 21-19, in the first doubles match.
UP’s Yuan Abinales and Enzo Rivera then secured a 21-14, 18-21, 21-13 win over UST’s John Vincent Espinoza and Manuel Fulmentera in the second doubles match.
In the singles matches, UST’s Ivan Tuazon fell to UP’s Shan Clar, 21-11, 21-12. Clark Brillantes responded with a 21-19, 21-15 win over MJ Amerodin to keep UST in contention.
The match was decided in the final set, where UP co-captain Josh Dupet defeated UST’s Juan Miguel Sison, 21-16, 21-12, securing UP’s comeback win.
The UST Tiger Shuttlers will look to claim their first win against the defending champions Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, on Oct. 18, Sunday, at the same venue. -F Therese Esma
