UAAP: Green Shuttlers fall to NU, finish in second

The DLSU Green Shuttlers finished as first runners-up in the UAAP Season 78 Men’s Badminton tournament after falling to the back-to-back champions, the National University Bulldogs, last October 14 and 17 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

Green Shuttlers bow to NU

On the first day of the finals, the then-defending champions NU established a strong start as their team captain, Peter Magnaye, defeated DLSU’s Gerald Sibayan in two straight games, 23-21, 21-8. Sibayan started strong as he raced to a 5-2 lead early in the opening game. Showcasing his powerful smashes, Magnaye managed to catch up and tie the score at 21 apiece. Magnaye then drew two straight points to end the game, 23-21. The following game was unlike the first, as Sibayan only scored eight points against Magnaye’s 21. With the win, NU took a 1-0 lead in their series.

Looking to tie the series at one apiece, Green Shuttler Kenneth Monterubio faced NU’s Keeyann Gabuelo in the second singles match. Monterubio and Gabuelo had quick rallies in the first game as the score was tied at 10 in the middle of the match. The Green Shuttler then produced a thunderous 5-1 run, which gave DLSU the lead, 15-13. Monterubio continued showcasing his smashes to take the 21-19 win in the first game. Looking to avenge his first loss, Gabuelo then went on an 11-1 run to lead by as much as nine in the middle of the second game, eventually winning, 21-14. DLSU and NU once again had a series of exchanges in the last game. However, Gabuelo managed to bag the third-game victory, 21-19, thus giving NU a 2-0 series lead.

NU continued their winning ways as Magnaye and Alvin Morada conquered Green Shuttlers Anton Cayanan and Sibayan. The Green-and-White gained confidence early in the opening game, as the Taft-based squad led the Bulldogs, 8-4. Looking to finish the series, the Bulldogs then capitalized on a 7-2 run to steal the lead from DLSU. After a series of rallies, NU produced a 3-1 run to end the first game in their favor, 21-18. The Bulldogs then took a 2-0 lead early in the second game. As the defending champions continued their thunderous smashes and drops, the Green Shuttlers failed to catch up, surrendering the second game and the match, 21-14. With the win, NU won the series, three matches to none, to move within one win of a second consecutive crown.

Green Shuttlers collapse, end season

With their backs against the wall, the Green Shuttlers looked to even things against NU in the second day of the finals. The Bulldogs started strong as Ross Pedrosa defeated Cayanan in two straight games. Demonstrating his power, Pedrosa went on a sizzling 11-3 run in the middle of the opener. Cayanan was not able to regain momentum, losing to Pedrosa, 21-11. It was the same story for the Green Shuttler in the following game, as he again lost to Pedrosa, 21-18, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 series lead.

Kenneth Monterubio clinched DLSU’s lone win in the series, as he vanquished Gabuelo in a three-game thriller. Monterubio boosted the Green Shuttlers’ confidence as he established a 7-3 lead in the first game. The Green Shuttler then continued his striking smashes, as he took the first game, 21-18. Monterubio gave up only the second game to Gabuelo by a slim margin, 22-20. Avenging the defeat, the Green Shuttler produced a 13-7 run in the third and final game, notching the win for DLSU, 21-19. At this point, the series was now tied at one apiece.

The first doubles match featured the Cayanan-Sibayan tandem of DLSU against the dominant Magnaye-Morada duo of NU. The Green Shuttlers managed to grab the first game, 22-20. The Bulldogs then dominated the game as they bounced back and took a 21-9 win against La Salle. Looking to bring NU closer to the title, the Magnaye-Morada squad edged past the Green Shuttlers in the final game, 21-19.

With no more room for error, the Green Shuttlers looked to bounce back as brothers Kenneth and Prince Monterubio faced NU’s Pedrosa and Paul Gonzales. The Green Shuttlers, however, fell to the Bulldogs in three games, 2-1. The Taft-based squad only managed to bag the first game, 21-18. Entering the second game, NU established a 12-4 run that La Salle was not able to overcome, losing the second game, 21-15. The Bulldogs continued their winning ways, as they stole the third and final game from the Green Shuttlers, 22-20. With the win, NU clinched their second title in as many years.

The Green Shuttlers retained their standing from last season, finishing in the second spot. Meanwhile, the Lady Shuttlers, who fell to runner-up Ateneo in the semifinals, finished in third place, an improvement from their fourth place standing in Season 77.