“The only easy day was yesterday” is a quote that clearly reflects the DLSU Green Shuttlers’ and Lady Shuttlers’ performance in the third round of the UAAP after both squads garnered excellent wins last September 7, only to succumb in close matches the day after.
Coming up short
Fresh off a 4-1 win last September 7 against the AdU Lady Falcons, the Lady Shuttlers battled hard against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, but came up short with a 3-2 loss on September 8.
Danica Bolos suffered a tough opening match loss against FEU’s Jennifer Cayetano, losing a close matchup, 21-19, 18-21 and 21-17. Danica San Ignacio however, retaliated with a 21-14, 10-21 and 21-11 win against the Lady Tamaraws’ Michal Dei Duquilla to balance the scoring.
The doubles matches were the Lady Shuttlers’ weakness as they were swept by FEU on both occasions. Danica Bolos and Angelic Pauline Ramos paired up against FEU’s Eloise Gail Dionisio and Clarissa Joanne Pascual and suffered a 21-16 loss in the first match. The duo failed to extend to a third set as they fell by a close margin, 22-20, in the deciding frame.
Kristel Dawn Salatan and Aires Amor Montilla also suffered close losses against Jennifer Cayetano and Michal Dei Duquilla, 21-19 and 21-18 respectively.
The earlier losses of her teammates proved to be a wakeup call as Angelic Pauline Ramos of the Lady Shuttlers then swept Maridel Rivera, 21-15 and 21-7 in the last match that gave them a final score of 3-2.
The Lady Shuttlers now stand at sixth place in the standings with the ADMU Lady Eagles currently leading the league.
Bitter loss
The Green Shuttlers suffered a similar conclusion following their victory against Adamson on the day before, losing a close matchup against the ADMU Blue Eagles. Both squads gave their best as the lead changed with every match fought. La Salle however, came up short in the last match and it gave them a final score of 3-2.
Gerald Sibayan started the run for the Green-and-White as he swept Ateneo’s Justin Natividad, 21-14 and 21-16. Ateneo quickly evened the score as La Salle’s Elijah Abdel Boac fell in three rounds, 21-9, 10-21 and 21-19 against Atenean Patrick Natividad.
La Salle then took the lead once again at the start of the doubles matches as Sibayan and Carlos Antonie Cayanan swept Ateneo’s duo of Natividad and Bryan Garrido, 21-14 and 21-15.
Ateneo quickly evened the score in the next match though as Prince Joshua Monterubio and Jerickson Obaob came up short in three rounds, 21-17, 16-21 and 21-18 against Ateneo’s Patrick Natividad and Kyle Patrick Gosiaco.
To secure the win for his squad, Cayanan was set to represent La Salle in the last match against Ateneo’s Clarence Filart, where he was swept 2-0. Despite the sweep, Cayanan lost by close margins, 21-18 and 21-19.
The Green Shuttlers now rank third in the UAAP standings behind Ateneo and UP.
The next assignment for both teams will be on Wednesday, September 11 at the Jump Smash Badminton Court in Quezon City. The Lady Shuttlers will face off against National University while the Green Shuttlers will try to get a win against University of Santo Tomas.
