THE SAN BEDA University Badminton Team, Red Smashers, continued their dominant display on the second day of the NCAA Season 100 Badminton Tournament held last Thursday, November 7, at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Quezon City after 3-0 routes for both the Men’s and Women’s teams.
After opening the first day with 3-0 sweeps in all divisions against the Arellano University (AU) Badminton team, the Red Smashers picked up where they left off on the second day.
SBU vs MU (Women’s)
Starting the day off for the women’s division, the Red Smashers women’s team took quick work of the Mapúa University (MU) Cardinals Badminton Team. The first singles match saw Chay Red give the Mendiola-based squad a 1-0 round advantage after beating Mapúa’s Araneta in two sets, 21-11 and 21-15.
The doubles contest between Elayssa Morada and Melody Galicia against Ramirez and Sambayon of the Cardinal Shuttlers saw a 21-15, 21-6, straight-set affair that ended in favor of the Red Smashers, extending the round advantage to 2-0.
Isabella Pollentes took part in the second singles match of the round, defeating Uson of Mapúa in straight sets, 21-14 and 21-14. Her victory sealed a 3-0 round finish for the Women’s team.
SBU vs DLS-CSB (Women’s)
The last round of the day for the Women’s team was against the Benilde Blazing Shuttlers. The Red Smashers fielded the same players as the last round, with Red taking the first singles match against Peñaflor of Benilde.
The first singles match went the distance, with the Blazing Shuttlers taking the first of three sets, 18-21. After her first set defeat, Red took the remaining two sets, 21-16 and 21-18, to give the Red Smashers a 1-0 round advantage.
Morada and Galicia were taken to the distance by Evangelista and Bercilla of the Blazers in the doubles match of the round. A 17-21 setback for the duo in the first set gave the momentum to Benilde.
Despite dropping the first set, the duo took back the second set with a 21-14 advantage, turning the tides in their favor heading into the deciding third set. Morada and Galicia displayed a lionhearted third set performance, taking the final set with a score of 21-15.
The second singles match saw another three-set bout between Pollentes and the Blazers’ Aquino. Pollentes started off slow for the Red Smashers, only maintaining seven points in a 7-21 first-set defeat.
Despite the first-set blowout, Pollentes took a gritty second-set victory, 21-15; and secured a blowout of her own in the third and final set, 21-8. Her victory secured a 3-0 round victory for the Red Smashers.
SBU vs EAC (Men’s)
The second day also saw the Men’s team take on Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Badminton Team for their first round of the day.
Krenz Valeña opened the contest for the Red Smashers after a commanding straight-set victory over EAC’s David. The Generals’ badmintonist was held to single digits in both sets, as Valeña took the match with 21-9 and 21-7 set score victories. His win gave the Red Smashers a 1-0 round score advantage.
The duo of Arjay Lazareto and Joaquin Pollentes then led the Red Smashers to a straight-set victory over EAC’s Firmalo and Bergonio. The 21-11, 21-12 doubles victory gave the Red Smashers a 2-0 round advantage heading to the final singles match.
Lawrence Alejo took part for San Beda in the final singles match of the round against Banico of the Generals. Alejo took a dominant 21-7 first-set victory and ended the match in two sets, winning the second with a score of 21-16. His victory ensured a 3-0 round score for the first round and victory of the day for the Men’s team.
SBU vs LPU (Men’s)
The last round for the Men’s team saw the Red Smashers take on the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Badminton Team. The Bedans continued their dominant display as first singles match competitor Mel De Vera made light work of LPU’s Favis in straight sets, 21-7 and 21-9.
After attaining a 1-0 round score after the first singles match, Lazareto and Pollentes took another straight-set victory in the doubles match. The Red Smashers duo bested the Pirate pairing of Martin and Ladica with 21-15 and 21-17 set victories, giving a 2-0 round advantage to the Red Smashers.
The second singles match and final match of the day for the Men’s team saw Renzo Barlinan takedown LPU’s Bergantin in dominant fashion. Barlinan took a 21-13 and 21-11 straight-set victory, securing a 3-0 round win for the Red Smashers.
“[The games are] a day-to-day basis na pag-tournament,” according to Head Coach Ronald Mangnaye, which is why he encouraged the team to “just play their own game and have fun kasi once na ma-establish nila ‘yun, everything will follow, lalabas at lalabas ang laro nila.”
Looking to continue their unbeaten run, the Red Smashers will head towards the third day of the NCAA Badminton tournament on Monday, November 11, at the same venue.
The four-peat Men’s team will play a double-header against Mapúa at 9:00 a.m and at 2:30 p.m. against San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSCR). While the Women’s team will play a single round at 12:30 p.m. against EAC.
(with reports from Veronica Balbin and Nathniel Soriano)
Team-tie Scores:
Men’s: San Beda – EAC: 3-0, San Beda – LPU: 3-0
Women’s: San Beda – Mapua: 3-0, San Beda – Benilde: 3-0
San Beda vs EAC
1st singles: Valeña (W 21-9, 21-7), Doubles: Lazareto/Pollentes (W 21-11,21-12), 2nd singles: Alejo (W 21-7, 21-16)
San Beda vs LPU
1st singles: De Vera (W 21-7, 21-9), Doubles: Lazareto/Pollentes (W 21-15,21-17), 2nd singles: Barlinan (W 21-13,21-11)
San Beda vs Mapúa
1st singles: Red (W 21-11, 21-15), Doubles: Morada/Galicia (W 21-15, 21-6), 2nd singles: Pollentes (W 21-14, 21-14)
San Beda vs Benilde
1st singles: Red (W 18-21, 21-16, 21-18), Doubles: Morada/Galicia (W 17-21, 21-14, 21-15), 2nd singles: Pollentes (W 7-21, 21-15, 21-8)