The DLSU Lady Shuttlers bade goodbye to their eight-year drought and bagged the championship title after defeating the reigning champions, UP Lady Maroons, 3-2, earlier today at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. Third year player Nicole Albo was also awarded Most Valuable Player of the season, after beating Ann Maranon in the fifth match of the day.
Close Calls
Arianne Rivera played the first match against UP player Poca Alcala in a two-game match, 20-22, 18-21, handing the Lady Maroons their first win. However, Iyah Sevilla was able to bring the score to a tie in a three-game thriller versus UP’s team captain, Marina Caculitan, with scores of 20-22, 21-12, 21-18.
As for the doubles match, it was Alyssa Leonardo and Nicole Albo who gave the lead to DLSU, playing against Alcala and her partner Jessie Francisco. UP was able to claim the first game, 20-22, but it was La Salle who sealed the match after gaining great momentum, 21-17, 21-16. The team from Katipunan, however, was able to equalize the scores in the second doubles match-up with Lindsay Tercias and Sevilla falling short against Maranon and Christine Inlayo, 16-21, 10-20.
Earning the title
With both the DLSU and UP crowds hopeful for the title, it was La Salle who eventually grabbed it, with Albo scoring point after point against Maranon in two quick games, 21-12, 21-14, giving back the championship title to La Salle after eight long years.
“Lagi ko lang iniisip na kailangan ko mag-focus para manalo kami kasi first na championship ulit ito after how many years so inisip ko lang na laruin ko lang yung best ko para manalo kami. No pressure na rin kasi challenger lang kami dito and bonus na talaga itong championship na ito,” claimed season MVP Nicole Albo.
“Sobrang dami ng pinagdaan namin this season. Sa hirap at sa ginhawa. Kaya nga sabi ko sa kanila: ‘Guys, worth it ito pag nakuha natin [yung title]’. As long as pinaghirapan kasi wala naman nakukuha sa madali,” says head coach Owen Lopez.
When asked about their plans for next season, Albo shares that they, of course, would want to keep their championship title while Lopez hopes to strengthen the line-up for both the men and women’s team since a few players will already be graduating.
