Despite their determination and perseverance to clinch a spot in the Final Four, The DLSU Green Shuttlers took an early exit from the season, as they fell in a knockout match against the ADMU Blue Eagles, 3-2, last Saturday, October 7, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Close scoring
The Blue Eagles took the first win in the singles match with Cayel Pajarillo facing ADMU’s Keoni Asuncion in the first match, 16-21, 11-21. Glenn Camillo, however, was able to equalize the scores as he went up against Carlo Remo and won, 21-17, 21-18.
La Salle was able to keep its momentum as team captain Jerick Obaob teamed up with Pajarillo in the first doubles match of the day against Clarence Filart and Miguel Paña. The duo from Katipunan was no match against the Green-and-White as the team won two quick games, 21-16, 21-10. In the second doubles match, however, it was a challenge for co-captain Bee Monterubio and Mike Saragena who faced Remo and Asuncion in a close scoring three-game match. The Blue Eagles claimed the first game, 18-21, but lost as Monterubio sealed the second game, 21-19. While DLSU was desperate to cap off the day with a third win, it was the Blue-and-White who prevailed, scoring 18-21, tying the match-up at two-all.
Green Shuttlers exit Season 80
The fifth and final match of the day was played by Andrew Pineda who went up against Filart in an intense affair. Pineda won the first game easily, 21-14, but Filart was able to regain his composure as he breezed past the Lasallian in the second, 15-21. With only one game left, the Green Shuttlers were met with disappointment as Pineda was defeated in the final game, 17-21, giving them no chance to bounce back and claim a spot in the Final Four.
When asked about his thoughts on the game, Head Coach Owen Lopez mentioned that the team gave their best efforts from the very beginning of the season and that they just were unlucky in grabbing a spot in the final four. “Good game naman. At least kahit papaano, nahirapan sila [Ateneo].”
(It was a good game. They [Ateneo] were at least challenged)
On the other hand, the Lady Shuttlers, who are currently in second place, will face the ADMU Lady Eagles this Friday, October 13, 1 pm, at the same venue, for a spot in the finals against the UP Lady Maroons, who swept the elimination rounds. Also, against Ateneo, La Salle holds a twice-to-beat advantage.
