STAYING ON TOP of their game, the San Beda Red Smashers continued their relentless pursuit for victory on the third day of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 badminton tournament, securing a strong position for a finals berth last November 14 at the Centro Atletico Badminton Center in Quezon City.
After a series of powerhouse performances, the Women’s squad displayed their grit and resilience in a split third-day result, securing a 3-0 victory over the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Badminton Team and battling to a 1-2 loss against San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Badminton Team.
Meanwhile, the Men’s squad overwhelmed the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazing Shuttlers with another 3-0 triumph, solidifying their grip on the championship race.
SBU vs LPU (Women’s)
The San Beda Red Smashers steamrolled the LPU Badminton Team to kick off their day in dominant 3-0 fashion.
In the opening singles match, Isabella Pollentes displayed poise, defeating LPU’s De Pablo in straight sets, 21-19 and 21-14, giving San Beda the early lead.
Then, the duo of Elayssa Morado and Melody Galicia fought through a nail-biting second set to outlast LPU’s Pantig and Tan with a hard earned 21-18, 22-20 victory, extending the lead to 2-0.
Dana Navarro wrapped things up in the final singles, delivering a clinical 21-7, 21-13 performance against LPU’s Isidro to claim the team victory.
SBU vs SSC-R (Women’s)
The Women’s squad fell short in a tightly contested 2-1 loss in their Season 99 finals rematch against the SSC-R Badminton Team.
In the opening singles, SBU’s Red claimed the first set 21-17 but could not hold off SSC-R’s onslaught, dropping the next two sets, 14-21, 12-21 to give SSC-R the early lead.
Morado and Galicia fought valiantly in the doubles but were edged out by SSC-R’s Gaba and Gonzaga, losing 17-21, 18-21, leaving San Beda trailing 0-2 with no chance of a comeback.
However, Pollentes kept the team alive in the final singles, rallying back after a 15-21 loss in the first set, 21-19, 21-15 to claim the Red Smasher’s lone win.
SBU vs DLS-CSB (Men’s)
The Men’s team faced off against the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazing Shuttlers in a crucial first-round match.
Renzo Barlinan of SBU set the pace in the opening singles, overpowering Benilde’s Alonzo with a commanding 21-13, 21-16 victory to give the Red Smashers an early 1-0 advantage.
In the doubles match, Arjay Lazareto and Joaquin Pollentes bounced back after dropping the first set 18-21. They stormed through the next two sets, 21-8 and 21-11, turning the tide and securing another point for the Mendiola-based squad at 2-0.
Krenz Valeña sealed the deal in the final singles’ match, delivering a composed performance to secure a 21-16, 21-18 rout for the Men’s squad to complete the 3-0 sweep.
(with Prince Tagarino)
Team-tie scores:
Men’s: San Beda – Benilde: 3-0
Women’s: San Beda – LPU: 3-0, San Beda – SSC-R: 1-2
SBU vs LPU (Women’s)
1st singles: Pollentes (W 19-21, 14-21), Doubles: Morado/Galicia (W 21-18, 22-20), 2nd singles: Navarro (W 21-7,21-13)
SBU vs SSC-R (Women’s)
1st singles: Red (L 21-17, 14-21, 12-21), Doubles: Morado/Galicia (L 17-21,18-21), 2nd singles: Pollentes (W 15-21,21-19, 21-15)
SBU vs DLS-CSB (Men’s)
1st singles: Barlinan (W 21-13, 21-16), Doubles: Lazareto/Pollentes (W 18-21, 21-8, 21-11), 2nd singles: Valeña (W 21-16, 21-18)