THE UST Tiger and Lady Shuttlers succumbed to their second straight defeat in the UAAP Season 87 badminton tournament on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall.
Last season’s runner-ups NU Bulldogs put down the Tiger Shuttlers, 5-0, to secure their Final Four spot.
Lanz Zafra dominated Tiger Shuttler Francis Sarmiento, 21-8, 21-5, in just 25 minutes in the first singles match.
Mark Anthony Velasco quickly followed it up with a 30-minute victory over Shuttlers captain Llenox Culiao, 21-7, 21-14, in the second singles bout.
Season 85 MVP Solomon Padiz Jr. and Jeno Carino secured the win for NU with a victory over UST duo Janzen Panisales and RJ Galve, 21-13, 21-14, in the first doubles encounter.
Bulldogs pair Nestojan Tapales and John Benedict Gam overcame a reverse comeback attempt of Bien Miraflor and John Vincent Espinoza in a 48-minute duel, 21-16, 15-21, 21-16, in the second doubles match.
MJ Perez took an hour-long showdown against Ivan Angelo Tuazon to cap off the sweep for NU, 21-19, 17-21, 21-16, handing UST its back-to-back shutout.
The Tiger Shuttlers slipped to a 1-3 win-loss record and will face the DLSU Green Shuttlers, on Sunday, Oct. 27 at the same venue.
“NU is a dominant team, we wanted to get a win but they are really a championship contender,” UST head coach Charlie Medina told The Flame.
In the women’s division, the Lady Shuttlers fell short in a hard-fought 3-2 defeat to last season’s finalists UP Fighting Maroons.
UP’s Susmita Ramos set the tone early by overpowering UST’s Gabrielle Ainza with a swift victory, 21-5, 21-11, in 30 minutes to remain undefeated.
Season 85 Rookie of the Year Anthea Gomez followed suit with a win over her Rookie of the Year successor Patricia De Leon, 21-7, 21-9, in a 34-minute second singles match.
Ramos then teamed up with Dianne Libaton to whip UST’s Rhafi Santos and Jennifer Saldaga, 21-12, 21-16, in the first doubles match and seal the win.
UST managed to avoid a sweep as Marielle Alvarez and Patricia De Leon won the second doubles rubber over UP’s Gonzales and Kimberly Lao with a 51-minute victory, 24-22, 21-16.
In the final singles match, UST’s Reshane Nicor beat Kahrene Zapanta, 21-13, 21-15.
The Lady Shuttlers now hold a 1-3 record and will face the DLSU Lady Shuttlers on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the same venue.
UST tactician Medina emphasized that their upcoming game against DLSU will be crucial in determining which team secures a spot in the Final Four.
“I hope the seniors’ play will come out tomorrow.” F
