Ateneo, NU, UP seek return trips to UAAP Badminton Finals

c/o UAAP

Ties Tuesday at Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall

8 a.m. – Men's Final Four

NU vs UST / Ateneo vs UP

1 p.m. – Women's Final Four

UP vs UST / NU vs Ateneo

TOP seeds National University and University of the Philippines look to consolidate their unbeaten runs in the preliminary rounds of men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, when the UAAP Season 87 Badminton Tournament Final Four happens today (Tuesday) at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

The Bulldogs will take on the University of Santo Tomas Golden Shuttlers at 8 a.m., while the Fighting Maroons will face the UST Lady Shuttlers at 1 p.m.

The Final Four winners will advance to the one-off Final on Wednesday, while the losers will play in a third-place tie on the same day.

Jeno Cariño and Solomon Padiz Jr. secured the fifth straight win for NU this season and the top rank in the semis last Sunday. The pair pulled off a 14-21, 21-11, 21-16 comeback against Lyrden Laborte and Robby Ramos of Ateneo De Manila University.

“Para sa ‘min, talagang nilaban namin ‘tong second doubles ni Monchi to secure ‘yung Final Four slot na top one. Ine-aim talaga naming mag-top one kasi ‘pag nag top one kami, good things can happen,” said the former Ateneo Blue Eagle Cariño.

On the other hand, Susmita Ramos and Dianne Libaton reeled UP into a similar preliminary-round sweep and the No. 1 seed. The tandem remained unbeaten after last Sunday's 21-15, 22-20 conquest of Ateneo’s Althea Ocampo and Missy Cervantes.

“Gagawin po namin ‘yung lahat para maka-abot kami sa Final. Sabi nga ng coaches, nothing to lose and everything to gain. ‘Yung preparation naman namin, alam naman naming magiging worth it,” said the rookie Libaton.

Ateneo, the double champions from Season 86, will shoot for bounce-back victories on the other side of the Final Four to keep its reign alive.

The men’s squad will battle the UP Fighting Maroons at 8 a.m., while the women’s side will take on the NU Lady Bulldogs at 1 p.m.

Both the Ateneo and NU women's teams are hoping that their aces Mika de Guzman and Sarah Barredo, respectively,  are good to go for the do-or-die encounters as the duo missed last weekend's ties due to illness.