THE UST Tiger Shuttlers fell flat to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 4-1, in the second day of UAAP Season 89 men’s badminton tournament on Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Gameville Central Park.
The España-based squad are still in search for their first win, while Ateneo improved to 2-0.
UST succumbed in the opening singles match as Tiger Shuttler Aaron Berdaña yielded to Lydren Laborte, 21-11, 21-17.
The second singles match saw another loss for the Tigers as Ateneo’s Lance Gabriel Vargas dominated UST’s Clark Justin Brillantes, 21-12, 21-10.
The Tiger Shuttlers earned their first win of the day in the first doubles match, 20-22, 21-17, 21-13.
The Tigers’ seniors duo of Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor faced the Blue Eagles’ duo of Mijel Ablo and Christopher Anglo in a close first set, but the España pair found their tempo and dominated the second, stealing the set with Miraflor’s smash.
The third set remained tight, but the Tigers extended their lead into the latter half, ultimately claiming their first victory.
UST came close to securing its second win in doubles, but the Tiger Shuttlers fell short in a three-set thriller against Ateneo, 21-12, 24-26, 21-19.
España-based duo John Vincent Espinoza and Manuel Fulmentera struggled in the opening set as Ateneo’s Rolan De Guzman and Robby Ramos took control, 21-12.
The Tiger Shuttlers fought back in a tense second set, edging the Blue Eagles in a deuce, 26-24, to level the match.
UST kept pace in the deciding set, but Ateneo pulled away late to seal the 2-1 victory, leaving the España-based squad still searching for its second win.
The last match of the day ended with another defeat, as Tiger co-captain Juan Miguel Sison fell to Blue Eagle, Zeth Quiambao, 21-11, 21-6.
The Shutlers will face the NU Bulldogs on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the same venue. F
