It was an action-packed UAAP Season 88 Badminton Playoffs as the UST Lady Shuttlers secured the last semifinal berth in the Women’s Division, while the DLSU Green Shuttlers ended their Final Four drought in the Men’s Division.
Rookie Hanie De Jesus Makes a Statement for UST vs DLSU
Last Sunday, October 19 the University of Santo Tomas continued their postseason consistency at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila as they secured their third consecutive Final Four berth with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over De La Salle University in the women’s division.
The win came courtesy of rookie sensation Hanie De Jesus, who showcased both composure and grit in two pivotal matches.
After DLSU’s Mia Manguilimotan gave her team a strong start by sweeping UST’s Christine Dorega, 21-11, 21-13, the momentum shifted dramatically.
De Jesus battled through a grueling 58-minute duel to defeat Zashca Tuario, 21-16, 19-21, 21-18, leveling the series at one match apiece and reigniting UST’s hopes.
“Nung natalo po kami sa Adamson nung time na ‘yon, hindi pa rin naman kami nawalan ng pag-asa na magka-chance uli kasi pwede pa naman kaming makabawi. Nag-prepare lang po talaga kami at nag-ensayo,” said the 19-year-old rookie, reflecting on the team’s perseverance after earlier setbacks.
“May mga nagsasabi rin po na baka last na po ng seniors. So, sabi nila na, ‘Ibigay niyo na ‘yung best niyo, minsan lang ‘to.’ Pero no pressure pa rin po every time, instead, mag-enjoy lang po talaga sa game. Hindi rin po namin kinalimutan na magdasal,” she added.
Veterans Jennifer Saladaga and Rhafi Santos then took charge in the first doubles match, showing veteran poise to overcome Viana Antonio and Ghiselle Bautista, 21-17, 21-15, after nearly an hour of play. That win gave UST a 2-1 advantage, setting the stage for De Jesus’ defining moment.
Partnering with senior Marielle Alvarez, De Jesus capped off her standout day by clinching the semifinal berth with a composed 21-17, 21-17 triumph over Army Espe and Manguilimotan in the second doubles rubber.
Their chemistry and well-timed attacks neutralized La Salle’s defensive pressure, sealing the 3-1 victory and extending UST’s dominant playoff form.
For De Jesus, the team’s focus remains on maintaining momentum and composure against the undefeated leaders.
The win gives UST their third straight Final Four berth and will now face top-seeded Ateneo de Manila University in a highly anticipated semifinal rematch from Season 86.
Joshua Morada and Yuan Tan Showed Brilliance in their Final Year for DLSU
Graduating students, Joshua Morada and Yuan Tan, made a legacy for the De La Salle University last Monday, October 20 as they clinched their first Final Four appearance since Season 82 in 2019 at the same venue after beating UST.
Rookie Lovic Javier set the tone early with a composed performance, outlasting UST newcomer Aaron Bendaña in a tightly contested opener, 22-20, 21-11, after a fierce first game.
Building on that momentum, third-year shuttler James Capin dismantled UST team captain Angelo Tuazon, 21-14, 21-16, to give La Salle a 2-0 cushion heading into doubles play.
It was then up to seniors Joshua Morada and Yuan Tan to close out the match as they delivered under pressure.
Despite trailing 10-11 at the changeover of the deciding game, the veteran duo unleashed a powerful surge, scoring four consecutive points and dictating the tempo. UST’s Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor attempted to rally back, narrowing the gap to 17-18, but Tan’s precision smashes to open spaces sealed the deal for DLSU.
The Green Shuttlers claimed victory, 22-20, 20-22, 21-17, earning a long-awaited seat in the semifinals.
“Ang mindset lang namin is kailangan naming lahat mag-step up. Hindi dapat kami kailangan umasa sa isang tao; kaya ang inisip namin dapat every game, every point, kailangang makuha,” said Morada, emphasizing the team’s all-around effort and composure in their rematch against UST.
The victory also completed La Salle’s season sweep of UST, following a 4-1 win during the qualifying round that secured their playoff position and fourth seed.
The win also marked the end of a three-season struggle for the Taft-based squad, which had previously failed to make it past the qualifying rounds.
DLSU’s next challenge is a knockout semifinal clash with top-ranked Ateneo de Manila University, scheduled for Tuesday morning at the same Malate venue.
Up Next: A Historical Semifinals Matchup
In the semifinals of the women’s division, it’ll be:
- UST vs Ateneo
- UP vs NU
In the semifinals of the men’s division, it’ll be:
- DLSU vs Ateneo
- UP vs NU
Both semis matches are scheduled today, October 21.
For both programs, the semifinals will be pivotal moments in their respective UAAP campaigns as they try to make historical runs.
UST’s women’s team seeks to break past its Final Four barrier and return to the finals for the first time in years, while DLSU’s men’s squad aims to ride its resurgence into championship contention.
As the tournament enters its final stages, all eyes are on the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall, where experience, youth, and heart continue to define UAAP Season 88’s badminton battles.
