Lady Eagles rip Archers anew, face UP in finals

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo completed its semifinals reversal against La Salle, 3-1, to forge a title rematch with women’s titleholder University of the Philippines yesterday in the UAAP badminton tournament.

Former Rookie-MVP winner Bianca Carlos and Cass Lim provided the clincher for the Lady Eagles with a 13-21, 24-22, 21-19 over Nicole Albo and Isay Leonardo in the second doubles.

The third-ranked team in the eliminations, Ateneo also won in last Saturday’s opener, 3-1, to send the step-ladder semis to a deciding tie.

Seeking to regain the title they won two years ago, the Lady Eagles will face thrice-to-beat the Lady Maroons in the finals starting Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.

UP advanced to the title round outright after sweeping all its seven ties in the elims.

The Lady Archers took the opening singles, as Arianne Rivera hammered out a 21-18, 21-11 win over Lim, before Carlos defeated Iya Sevilla, 21-12, 21-15, in the second singles to level the tie.

Java De Vera and Janel Dihiansan gave Ateneo the first doubles after whipping Kristelle Salatan and Aires Montilla, 13-21, 21-18, 21-17.