UAAP: NU’s Sab Amora marches into women’s singles quarterfinals

MANILA — National University’s Sab Amora moved a step closer to claiming the inaugural UAAP women’s singles badminton title, defeating Ateneo de Manila University’s Jochelle Alvarez, 21–16, 21–11, in the Round of 16 on Friday at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

The graduating Lady Bulldogs captain needed 38 minutes to dispatch a fellow Philippine National Badminton Open runner-up, extending her unbeaten run in Season 89, which began during the team event.

“It was really anybody’s game pa rin po. Kaya inisip ko lang bago ‘tong individuals, focused pa rin po at hindi mawawala ‘yung pag-eenjoy para hindi pressured,” said Amora.

“Nakatulong rin siyempre po sa ‘kin ‘yung record ko nitong team event. Hindi po madali ‘yung training, kaya throughout the team tie masaya po ako na lumabas po ‘yung pinaghirapan ko,” she added.

Amora will next face De La Salle University’s Lady Tuario, who received an opening-day bye, on Saturday for a place in the semifinals.

The victory was particularly crucial for the Lady Bulldogs after University of the Philippines’ Brys Fuggan eliminated NU’s Karyll Rio. The reigning Rookie of the Year weathered Rio’s challenge in the opening game before securing a 21–18, 21–15 victory to arrange a quarterfinal clash with Ateneo captain Althea Ocampo.

Fuggan’s teammate Anthea Gonzalez made it two Fighting Maroons in the women’s singles quarterfinals, sweeping Adamson University’s Abby Barcelona, 21–16, 21–14. Gonzalez will next face University of Santo Tomas’ Angelica Racca.

The Lady Falcons will also have a representative in the next round, as rookie Roshella Quierez secured a convincing 21–10, 21–12 victory over DLSU’s Kim Lagare. Quierez will take on UST’s Angel Vitangcol in the quarterfinals.

In doubles play, UP seniors Kimberly Lao and Susmita Ramos defeated Adamson’s Camille Buagas and Jennifer Ondol, 21–12, 21–16, to arrange a quarterfinal showdown with UST’s Marielle Alvarez and Harlene Herbabuena.

Adamson’s rookie tandem of Mary Destiny Untal and Jasmine Reformina also advanced to the last eight after a dominant 21–8, 21–11 victory over DLSU’s Ghiselle Bautista and Erin Vitangcol. The duo will next face NU’s Tia Bualat and Lee-Anne De Leon.

Reigning team event gold medalists Ateneo remained in contention for the overall title despite Alvarez’s singles defeat, with both of its women’s doubles pairs advancing to the quarterfinals.

Althea Hernandez and Angel Valle dominated DLSU’s Alphecca Espe and Venice Salapong, 21–8, 21–16, to set up a highly anticipated encounter with NU’s Naeomi Gulpany and Harlene Diaz.

Meanwhile, Daena Castro and Andrea Hernandez fended off UST’s Hanie De Jesus and Christine Dorega, 21–15, 21–11, to secure a quarterfinal meeting with UP’s Pat and Krissa De Leon.