By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons dethroned the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 3-1, to capture the UAAP Season 87 women’s badminton title held at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Manila.

Negrense Susmita Ramos played a key role in the championship as she and partner Dianne Libaton defeated Blue Eagles’ Mika de Guzman and Althea Ocampo, 21-13, 21-19, in the doubles event.

Prior to that, the Negros Occidental’s Hinigaran native Ramos suffered her first singles event defeat of the tournament as she bowed to Season 86 MVP awardee De Guzman, 18-21, 21-8, 23-21.

Meanwhile, Anthea Gonzalez was named MVP for the Fighting Maroons after prevailing over Blue Eagles’ Maxene Olango in the first women’s singles event, 21-5, 21-7.

She then teamed up with her senior, Kimberly Lao, to secure the championship by overcoming Olango and Feeby Ferrer in a hard-fought doubles match, finishing 21-19, 21-19.

This title marked the Fighting Maroons’ 10th championship in the league and first since capturing three consecutive titles from UAAP Seasons 77 to 79, solidifying their status as the winningest squad in the sport.

“Lahat kami nag-sacrifice para makamit ‘tong kampeonato na ito. ‘Yung mga coaches, mga players, lahat sila binigay ‘yung puso para makuha nila ‘tong championship na ito,” first-year UP head coach Ariel Magnaye said.

“‘Yung consistency at ‘yung na-build nilang relasyon sa ginagawa nila, kung andun pa rin, tingin ko kaya uli nilang makuha ito next season. Kasi iba na, naging stronger ‘yung relasyon nila, solid na talaga,” he added.

Meanwhile, the National University Lady Bulldogs captured their third consecutive bronze medal finish after the pandemic, defeating the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 3-0.

Lady Bulldogs’ Jeya Pinlac and Andrian Songcuan completed their season unscathed, overcoming Golden Tigresses’ Rhafi Anne Santos and Jennifer Saladaga, 18-21, 21-8, 21-10./ASC, WDJ