Ateneo shuttlers post record wins in UAAP

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo subdued National U in three final matches, 2-3, 3-0, 3-2, to capture the men’s team gold and complete its historic sweep of the UAAP badminton crowns at Jumpsmash Badminton Courts in QC recently.

The Blue Shuttlers fought back from a first finals match setback to sweep the next two as Patrick Natividad, Justin Natividad, Clarence Filart, Bryan Garrido, Theodore Co, Sean Chan, Kyle Gosiaco and Arlo Madrid stepped up to frustrate the Bulldogs and fashion out the come-from-behind victory. 

Patrick Natividad was  MVP.

The win came after Ateneo’s women’s team beat arch rival La Salle in two finals matches, 3-1, 3-2, capped by a thrilling 21-18 victory in the decider of the last singles match, thus essaying a first-ever double victory in badminton for a school in a UAAP season.

“I have always believed that we could secure this historic double gold. It took us a long time to make this dream a reality. It was all worth the wait. I’m so proud of the team,” said Ateneo team manager Frederick Go.

 Dia Magno, Bianca Carlos, Patrisha Malibiran, Jana De Vera, Nicole Nieto, Paula Filart and Jaimie Calacday made up the crack Ateneo women’s squad with Carlos winning the Rookie of the Year and MVP honors with Kennie Asuncion-Robles sweeping the coach of the year award for both divisions.

Asuncion-Robles, a former national mainstay, credited Ateneo’s record romp to good and near-perfect combination and thanked athletics director Ricky Palou, Fr. Jett Villarin, Fr. Ben Nebres, Fr. Nemie Que and FDG for their support. 

“Our players and their parents are key to all these successes. Our support group also much covered everything else and the players and I simply did our job which was to train hard and give it our all,” said Asuncion-Robles.

Both Ateneo team swept  the elims, beating NU, UST, La Salle, UP, FEU, Adamson and UE to gain thrice-to-beat advantage in the finals.