UAAP: DLSU Green, Lady Shuttlers subdue UST

The DLSU Green Shuttlers bested the UST Growling Tigers with a 4-1 victory yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. The victory, combined with today’s results, evens out the Green Shuttler’s win-loss record to 2-2. The Lady Shuttlers on the other hand, won by a close margin, 3-2, also against UST. They now improve to a standing of three wins and one loss.

Green Shuttlers survive Growling Tigers

Opening the day’s first match were La Salle’s Kenneth Monterubio and UST’s Cris Sanchez. Both sides actively started the set, but Monterubio suddenly made a 7-1 run midway through the first set, defeating Sanchez, 21-12. However, Sanchez stunned Monterubio on the second set and equalized. Although he was able to lead Monterubio, 18-19, Sanchez was unable to finish the comeback in the third set. The Green Shuttler’s determination brought him to a 22-20 victory to give La Salle the first match.

The second singles match featured sophomore Andrew Pineda versus UST’s Jan Sotea. Pineda would cruise by Sotea in two sets, 21-10 and 21-11. La Salle’s streak came to an end during the third match. Green Shuttler Anton Cayanan accompanied by Jerrickson Obaob lost in three sets to Paul Pantig and John Reyes. The Growling Tigers took the first set, 17-21. Both teams were evenly matched coming down to 18-18 in the succeeding set. However, DLSU was able to sweep the final plays, garnering the second set, 21-18. UST eventually prevailed in the third set, with a score of 14-21.

Meanwhile, the Monterubio tandem, Prince and Kenneth, took home the second doubles matchup versus Jan Sotea and Kristian Barrios. The siblings showed emotion as they defeated UST with consecutive scores of 21-16. The Growling Tigers forfeited their final singles match, supposedly to be played by Cayanan and Pantig.

Lady Shuttlers edge Growling Tigresses

For the Lady Shuttlers, Mariya Sevilla built momentum by sweeping UST’s Angelie Panotes with ease, 21-4 and 21-11.

However, in the next match, DLSU’s Arianne Rivera fell to Airish Macalino. Rivera seized the first set, 21-12. Macalino then snatched the second set with a two-point victory, 20-22. Both Rivera and Macalino were determined to get a win, despite the tiring second set. Macalino built an early lead, and eventually took the match with a score of 16-21 in the third set.

Coach Owen Lopez treated Arianne’s lost as something unexpected. “Di ko inexpect na matatalo siya, sabi ko nga nung matalo si Arianne kailangan makuha natin yung dalawang doubles,” said Coach Lopez.

The first doubles match of the Lady Shuttlers also ended in a three-set game, but this time the team from Taft secured the win. The Green-and-White was represented by Alyssa Leonardo and Mariya Sevilla, versus Airish Macalino along with Steffi Aquino.

The Lady Shuttlers took the first set, 21-16. Another intense second set was witnessed by the raging crowd, as the opposing teams had three deuces. Macalino and Aquino eventually pulled away from DLSU, with a score of 22-24. The third set was controlled by the tandem of La Salle, as UST ended the match with an error which gave the Green-and-White a 21-12 win.

The last doubles round was spearheaded by veterans Aires Montilla and Kristelle Salatan up against Ma. Kristine Gaspar and Elizabeth Pimentel. The skillful and experienced tandem dominated the whole match, outclassing the UST pair, 21-16 and 21-17.

The day was capped off by another thrilling three-set matchup between La Salle’s Lindsay Tercias and UST’s Steffi Aquino. The two opposing players split the first two sets, both ending with a 21-17 score line. However, Aquino managed to close out Tercias, winning the third set, 21-16.

A point of improvement emphasized by Coach Lopez was the communication between his doubles team, “Yun kasi ang magiging susi namin, yung rotation, yung communication, yun yung nagiging problema namin. Yung communication ng tao sa court and ng coaches sa labas, matindi yun eh, yun yung isang kailangan idevelop pa,” he explained.