Tiger Shuttlers defeat Blue Eagles, secure final four spot

by Gillian Patricia Geronimo

The University of Santo Tomas Male Shuttlers clinched a final four slot for the first time since 2012 after defeating the Ateneo de Manila University, 5–0, in UAAP Season 80 badminton tournament at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall last Oct. 5.

Ateneo, La Salle and UST finished with 3–3 win-loss record, with UST placing third due to superior quotient.

“Napakaganda ng nangyari. Ang hiniling ko lang sa mga players, sa mga lalaki ko, eh makabangon lang kami. Sa nangyari, bangon na bangon na kami, dilat na dilat pa,” UST head coach RJ Ormilla said.

John Edgar Reyes survived Carlo Remo, 21–19, 14–21, 21–19.

Graduating duo of Reyes and Jan Mark Sotea stole the doubles match from Carlo Remo and Enrico Asuncion, 21–23, 21–16, 21–19, while Kristian Barrios and Juan Miguel Santiago completed the sweep against Nicole Filart and Miguel Pana, 21–12, 25–23.

“Sobrang bihira na ma 5–0 ang Ateneo, so hindi ko rin talaga ineexpect na ganun yung lalaruin ng mga players ko. Ang ganda ng nilaro nila,” Ormilla added.

Meanwhile, the Female Shuttlers ended their campaign winless, bowing against Ateneo, 0–5.

Maria Biancca Carlos dominated Maria Victoria Vizmonte, 21–8, 21–12, while Patrisha Malibiran showed her dominance against Venice Panotes, 21–8, 21–14.

UST’s next game will be on Sunday at the same venue.