Ateneo, UP hold serve atop UAAP women's badminton

 

c/o UAAP

Ateneo and UP remained on top of the standings in the UAAP Season 85 Women's Badminton tournament after dispatching their respective opposition on Monday at the courts of Centro Atletico in Quezon City.

The Blue Eagles rode on Mika De Guzman in securing a 4-1 win over the University of Santo Tomas, with the team captain winning both of her assignments.

She defeated Charlize Belen to open things, 21-11 21-9, and followed that with a 21-13 21-8 win alongside Chanelle Lunod against Clara Ignacio and Elij Pena in the second doubles to clinch the tie.

Jochelle Alvarez helped secure the tie after she claimed a 21-13 21-8 victory over Rhafi Santos in the second singles match, before the Golden Shuttlers pulled one back after Santos teamed up with Jennifer Saladaga against Alvarez and Missy Cervantes, 15-21 21-17 21-15.

Lunod would finish things off with a 21-15 21-15 victory over Saladaga in the final match of the tie.

Ateneo head coach and badminton legend Kennie Asuncion reflected on the result of their tie afterwards. "It's not easy to get 5-0 because each team has its own exceptional players, so it's OK. It's a learning experience for us. I look at it as something to be learned," she says.

UP would join Ateneo atop the early badminton leaderboard with a sweep against Adamson.

Aldreen Concepcion opened things with a 21-11 21-8 win over Patricia Timosa in the first singles matchup. Anthea Gonzalez followed suit with a 21-1 21-3 demolition against Janine San Ignacio.

National team standouts Lea Inlayo and Susmita Ramos would clinch the tie with a 21-10 21-5 win over Melody Ampusta and Graziel Cabriga, a match that lasted 23 minutes.

National University bounced back from their Sunday afternoon defeat to sweep La Salle, 5-0.

Sarah Barredo won both of her matchups to anchor the win, defeating Mia Manguilimotan in singles action then joined forces against Ybonnie Dema-ano in outlasting their counterparts Shayne Boloron and Palma Cruz in doubles, 15-21 21-13 21-8.

Saturday's action will feature Ateneo and UP in a top of the table clash, with NU seeking consecutive victories against UST. Completing the slate is the matchup between DLSU and Adamson. All matches will start at 1pm.