THE UST Tiger and Lady Shuttlers bow out of finals contention in the UAAP Season 87 badminton tournament after being swept by last season’s runner-ups on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall.
Seven-time champions NU Bulldogs disposed of the Tiger Shuttlers, 3-0, to set up their fourth consecutive finals bout with the reigning champions Ateneo Blue Eagles.
In the first singles match, Bulldog Lanz Zafra beat Tiger Shuttlers team captain Llenox Matthew Culiao, 21-13, 21-7.
Mark Anthony Velasco continued NU’s strong performance by crushing Francis Haroun Sarmiento in the second singles match, 21-6, 21-7.
The first doubles match saw the pair of Season 85 MVP Solomon Padiz Jr. and Jeno Carino take down Culiao and Bien Miraflor, 21-19, 21-14, to seal the deal and send the Bulldogs to their 12th straight finals appearance.
Meanwhile, the Tiger Shuttlers failed to end their 13-year finals drought. They will try to secure a podium finish when they compete for bronze against the UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the same venue.
A similar story unfolded in the women’s division as the Lady Shuttlers fell to last season’s silver medalists UP Fighting Maroons, 3-0.
Season 85 Rookie of the Year Anthea Gonzalez took out her successor Patricia De Leon, 21-8, 21-11, to set the tone in the first singles match.
Fighting Maroon Susmita Ramos remained unbeaten this season after beating Reshane Nicor in the second singles, 21-12, 21-12, a win that gave UP a 2-0 advantage.
Gonzales then joined forces with Kimberly Lao to secure the sweep, booting De Leon and Marielle Alvarez in the first doubles match, 21-19, 21-15, to clinch UP’s third consecutive finals berth.
UP will face the five-peat-seeking Ateneo in their third consecutive gold medal showdown.
The Lady Shuttlers will aim for a bronze finish as they take on last season’s bronze medalists NU Lady Bulldogs, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the same venue. F
