UAAP: Unbeaten NU sets up finals clash vs. Ateneo for women’s badminton title

MANILA — National University and Ateneo de Manila University arranged a championship showdown for the UAAP Season 89 women’s badminton title after ousting their respective Final 4 opponents on Tuesday at the Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

The top-seeded Lady Bulldogs kept their unbeaten run intact with a 3-1 victory over Adamson University, with cousins Hailene Diaz and Naeomi Gulpany once again coming through to secure NU’s second consecutive Finals appearance.

Standing in the Lady Bulldogs’ way of a historic first-ever team event title is defending champions Blue Eagles, which secured their Finals berth at the expense of second-seeded University of the Philippines after a 3-1 win.

The women’s championship tie is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, following the men’s title clash at 8 a.m. Both finals will be decided in a single winner-take-all tie.

The men’s team event will also feature an NU-Ateneo showdown at 8 a.m., with the Bulldogs and Blue Eagles arranging a winner-take-all championship tie on Wednesday.

Diaz and Gulpany sealed NU’s Finals berth in just 33 minutes, sweeping Jennifer Ondol and Rheylyn Pedron, 21-14, 21-14, in the second doubles match.

With an opportunity to finally capture the title, Gulpany said she wants to see an even more determined NU side in the championship round.

“Alam ko po na kaya naming kunin ‘yung gold. Gusto kong makita sa isa’t-isa na we’re all working hard together; and iisa lang ‘yung goal namin,” the 19-year-old upstart said.

For Ateneo, the unlikely heroes were Althea Hernandez and Angel Valle, who sent the Blue Eagles into the Finals with a 21-15, 21-12 victory over Niki Paz and Krissa De Leon in 47 minutes.

“Sobrang happy po namin na nag-click ‘yung pairs po today. Nung nalaman pa lang namin ni Angel na kami ‘yung partners, sabi namin sa isa’t-isa na magtiwala lang kami sa isa’t-isa at sa sarili naming; gawin lang namin ‘yung best namin,” said second-year player Hernandez. “Do or die na eh, kumbaga kung anong ibigay ni Lord, ‘yun na ‘yun.”

NU surged to a 2-0 lead as seniors Sab Amora and Karyll Rio took care of the two singles matches. Amora dominated Abby Barcelona, 21-12, 21-11, in 34 minutes, while Rio held off Roshella Quierez, 21-15, 21-19, to put the Lady Bulldogs within a match of victory.

Rookies Jasmine Reformina and Mary Destiny Untal pulled one back for the Lady Falcons, outlasting Tia Bualat and Lee-Anne De Leon in the second game to secure a 21-17, 24-22 victory.

However, that proved to be Adamson’s final win of the tie, as Gulpany and Diaz delivered the decisive victory to end the Lady Falcons’ campaign in their first Final Four appearance since Season 72 in 2009.

Meanwhile, Ateneo and UP split the two singles matches in their semifinal encounter. Season 87 Rookie of the Year Althea Ocampo drew first blood for the Blue Eagles before Season 87 Most Valuable Player Anthea Gonzalez leveled the tie for the Fighting Maroons.

Ateneo captain Ocampo outlasted Pat De Leon in a grueling 18-21, 21-12, 22-20 victory, but UP senior Gonzalez responded with a dominant 21-15, 21-12 win over Jochelle Alvarez.

Daena Castro and Andrea Hernandez then carried the momentum from their previous victory last Saturday, stunning graduating seniors Kimberly Lao and Susmita Ramos, 20-22, 21-16, 21-17, to move the defending champions within reach of another Finals appearance.

The Fighting Maroons, who won the Season 87 title, will look to salvage a podium finish when they face the Lady Falcons in the bronze-medal match.