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Thursday, March 28, 2024

UP completes three-peat

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The University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons had to scramble but persevered and eventually completed a rare three-peat, winning their third consecutive University Athletic Association of the Philippines Women’s Badminton championship last Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

The Lady Fighting Maroons fought an uphill battle against the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers in the best-of-three championship. UP lost the first game of the best-of-three and had to scramble to salvage a victory in the second game to set up a sudden-death third game.

Ateneo team captain Bianca Carlos then took the first singles match with a straight-set conquest of UP’s Bea Bernardo. That was as close as Ateneo would get to the title with UP sweeping the rest of the matches.

Players of the University of the Philippines Women’s badminton team celebrate after winning their match against the Ateneo Lady Shuttlers to capture the UAAP badminton title. Timothy Jansen Nolasco

UP’s Gelita Castilo swept past Samantha Ramos in the second singles match. Eventual MVP Poca Alcala and UAAP Season 77 MVP Jessie Francisco of UP then blanked Ateneo’s Trixie Malibiran and Ramos.

In the second doubles match, Ateneo’s Carlos and Geva De Vera won the first set against Castilo and Lea Inlayo. But the UP tandem came roaring back to take the next two sets and the game.

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Inlayo, who won all her matches during the tournament, said she and the rest of the squad were overwhelmed with their victory.

“We were so happy. We achieved our goal which was the three-peat. And all our sacrifices… it was all worth it. The one thing I learned this season: until the final point, as long as the score has not yet reached 21 points, regardless of a big lead, there is always hope to win. Just keep on fighting,” Inlayo said.

Inlayo recalled the second game of their best-of-three playoff against Ateneo. Ateneo won the first one and led in the second 2-1. Inlayo and Castilo trailed their match 0-1 and UP probably would have lost the title to Ateneo if the pair lost.

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