THE UST Lady Tiger Shuttlers’ almost two-decade-long wait for a finals appearance continued after bowing to the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 3-0, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s badminton semifinals on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
UST will look to salvage a podium finish as it battles the defending champion UP Fighting Maroons in the bronze medal match on Oct. 22 at the same venue.
Three-time Philippine Badminton Open champion Mikaela de Guzman set the tone for Ateneo, dismantling UST rookie Hanie de Jesus, 21-4, 21-9, in the opening singles match.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Althea Ocampo followed suit, delivering a clinical 21-8, 21-7 win against UST’s Christine Dorega to give the Blue Eagles a 2-0 lead.
In the doubles play, co-captains De Guzman and Jochelle Alvarez sealed the deal for Ateneo, overpowering UST’s Jennifer Saladaga and Rhafi Santos, 21-10, 21-11, to complete the sweep.
The undefeated Ateneo squad will head to its sixth finals in a row to face the NU Lady Bulldogs. F
