In the sixth round of the UAAP Season 79 Badminton tournament, the DLSU Green Shuttlers and Lady Shuttlers defeat their counterparts from UE yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. The men’s team bested the Red Warriors, 4-1, while the women’s team ended with a clean 5-0 slate over the Lady Warriors. Both the Green Shuttlers and Lady Shuttlers add another win to their respective standings, with the former establishing a 3-3 record, and the latter improving to 5-1.
Green Shuttlers seek redemption
The Green Shuttlers redeemed themselves after a tough loss at the hands of ADMU. Opening the day for the Green Shuttlers was Andrew Pineda versus Arman Manlalangit. Both players exchanged short runs throughout the match resulting in a tight game. However, Pineda managed to route Manlalangit in two sets, with the first ending at 21-18 and the second at 21-17. The next game was a matchup between Cayel Pajarillo and Benjamin Silva. Pajarillo took the the victory for La Salle and finished both sets, 21-17, over Silva.
The first doubles match featured DLSU’s Monterubio brothers, Kenneth and Prince up against Clarence Camacho and Angelo David. La Salle was able to lead UE by six points during the opening set, 16-10. However, UE fought back and tied DLSU, 18-18, before La Salle eventually came away with the 22-20 victory. The second set was clearly taken by La Salle as the Green Shuttlers outhustled UE, 21-14.
Anton Cayanan and Jerickson Obaob led the next doubles match against UE’s Arman Manlalangit and John Cruz. Cayanan and Obaob took the first set from the Red Warriors with a score of 21-18. The following set was again dominated by the Green-and-White, 21-10, with Obaob dictating the game. The last matchup for the Green Shuttlers was headed by Michael Saragena versus UE’s Angelo David. The first set was the most thrilling set, as it ended with four deuces. UE took the set, defeating DLSU, 26-24. David kept his momentum by capitalizing on an early run, which gave him the second set, garnering his team’s first win, 21-15.
Lady Shuttlers finish strong
After squeezing through a tough match against ADMU last Sunday, the Lady Shuttlers remained persistent as they thrashed UE in straight games. The first two singles matches of the Lady Archers were swept by Mariya Sevilla and Arianne Rivera, who faced Heidi Rosal and Lyra Rosal, respectively. Sevilla easily took care of the first match, winning 21-11 and 21-8, with an 8-0 scoring run to finish off the second set. Rivera carried on momentum and earned the second match for La Salle, 21-8 and 21-10.
In the first doubles match, veterans Kristelle Salatan and Aires Montilla continued to outmatch the Red Warriors. The competent Green-and-White duo dismantled Eryka Labay and Pamela Fernandez with scores of 21-11 and 21-7.
Sevilla returned to the playing court, accompanied by Alyssa Leonardo, to take on the Rosal tandem of UE. The Lady Warriors had a strong start against La Salle, but the Lady Shuttlers managed to keep their composure and take the first two sets, 21-15 and 21-12. The closing match of the day featured Camille Gotohio vying against UE’s Labay, who copped the first set with a score of 22-20. Nevertheless, Gotohio fought back and outplayed Labay, 12-1, midway through the second set. Gotohio took advantage of a worn out Labay, and claimed the second and third sets, 21-12 and 21-11.
Despite the strong performances from both teams, coach Owen Lopez advised his players to rest for the fast-approaching semi-finals. “Kailangan magpahinga kasi yung iba pwersado eh, two events yung nilalaro ng iba so mag-rest lang, sabi ko sa kanila.”
The Green Shuttlers and Lady Shuttlers will face the Adamson Soaring Falcons and Lady Falcons on Saturday, October 1, at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. The men’s team will open the day at 8 am, followed by the women’s team at 1 pm.
