By Charles Usi, Sports Editor of The LaSallian
After a split decision at the opening week of the UAAP Season 74 Badminton Tournament at the Badminton Hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the DLSU Green and Lady Shuttllers are back to their winning ways.
Season 73 third-placer Green Shuttlers posted back-to-back victories as they toppled the defending-champions University of Sto. Tomas last August 13 and University of the Philippines last August 14, both in convincing 4-1 scorecards.
Their female counterparts, on the other hand, suffered their first loss this season against Ateneo de Manila University, 2-3. The Lady Shuttlers posted their third triumph against University of the East before the Ateneo setback last August 13 and 14, respectively.
Both these Owen Lopez-mentored squads now share the second slots in their respective division standings.
The Green Shuttlers are tied with Far Eastern University with identical 3-1 win-loss slates after behind the undefeated National University who holds an immaculate 4-0 card.
The Lady Shuttlers also rank second with a similar 3-1 record behind league-leaders FEU and Ateneo, who are both undefeated after four games.
Subduing the State U
Green Shuttlers ended the week on a high note by thrashing Kennevic Asuncion’s UP squad 4-1.
Kenneth Monterubio again started for the Green Shuttlers, this time bowing to UP’s Charlo Tengco 20-22, 13-21, in the opening frame. The Taft-based Shuttlers, however, swept the remaining games to claim their third straight win for the season.
Ronel Estanislao, a La Salle Antipolo alumnus, continued his mastery against UP’s ace Kelvin Panganiban 21-18, 18-21, 21-12 in the second singles tiff. Ivan Angsico, now joined by Rookie Gerald Sibayan, pounded on Gian Manuel and Christian Crisostomo’s lethargic play, posting a dominating 21-15, 21-6 triumph.
The Estanislao-Nej Martinez duo made a first set comeback before stunning the Tengco-Panganiban tandem 22-20, 21-15. Sophomore JC Clarito closed out the day via an 18-21, 21-14, 21-15 win against Fighting Maroon Crisostomo.
Toying with the defending champions
Monterubio again started the weekend match-up for the Green Shuttlers against UST, edging out season 72 Most Improved Player Salvador Kapunan in the first singles tie 21-13, 21-13. Estanislao got a scare at the second set of the following singles duel but maintained composure, finishing off UST’s RJ Ornilla 21-12, 24-22.
2011 SEA Games delegate Estanislao returned with Martinez to dispose UST which also bucked the loss of Season 73 rookie MVP Peter Magnaye due to academic concerns and national team commitments.
Espana’s Francisco Magnaye paired with Benjude Cajefe took a gallant stand before surrendering the game and the match to through a 21-15, 17-21, 21-12 decider against the Estanislao-Martinez duo.
DLSU at 3-0 already won the match but the rest of the games were played for statistics and point quotient in determining team ties at the end of the eliminations.
Green Shuttlers Angsico and Kevin Ponciano yielded the second doubles match to Kapunan-Ornilla pair 18-21, 22-20, 16-20 for UST’s lone win in the entire match. Sophomore Clarito was also pushed to the edge in another non-bearing dispute against Cajefe 16-21, 21-17, 23-21 to conclude the DLSU-UST match-up.
Immaculate no more
Boasting of a boosted line-up with the acquisition on the number one doubles tandem in the
PBaRS Open Women’s Doubles division, Gelita Castilo and Dia Magno, the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers are one of the contenders in the tournament.
Ateneo’s blue-chip recruit Castilo stayed true to her billing as she thwarted Lady Shuttler Danica San Ignacio in the first singles tie 18-21, 15-21. Veteran Descka Calimlim quickly disposed rookie Magno 21-7, 21-9, in just 13 minutes of play.
Returning Season 72 MVP Calimlim with Season 72 Rookie of the Year Danica Bolos
topped Ateneo’s doubles bet Castillo and Mikee Roxas 18-21, 21-12, 21-9. Lady Shuttlers Gelli Ramos and San Ignacio were outplayed by Katipunan’s Magno and Carla Lizardo.
Tied at 2-2, the match boiled down to the deciding singles play against Lady Shuttler Bolos and Lisa Encarnacion. Encarnacion walloped Bolos 14-21, 14-21 to finally seal the win for the Blue-and-White.
Starting out strong
Last year’s bridesmaids Lady Shuttlers rallied past their third assignment, the UE Lady Shuttlers, through a 4-1 win last August 13. The team nabbed the first two singles match with Calimlim powering past UE’s Rochelle Andres 21-16, 21-9 and Bolos winning against red shirt May Pamorada 21-16, 21-17.
UE’s Fatima Cruz-Kimberly Gatpolintan dyad, however, thumped UE in the win column, stealing a tight 16-21, 21-12, 18-21 win over Ramos and Sophomore Flo Lamigo. Earlier singles competitors met once more in the second doubles playing field. Taft-based Shuttlers Calimlim and Bolos still topped the Andres and Pamorada tandem 21-16, 12-21, 21-18.
Another SEA Games campaigner San Ignacio capped off the day with a 21-15, 21-17 finish against UE’s Cruz.