The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Blazing Shuttlers brought home the championship in the Men’s Division against the reigning San Beda University (SBU) Red Smashers. Meanwhile, the Women’s Team finished in fourth place in the Battle for Third against the Mapua University (MU) Cardinal Shuttlers on Nov. 21 at the Power Up Centro Atletico in Quezon City.
Blazing Shuttler Michael Garcia kicked off the finals match with a 7-1 run. However, things quickly took a turn when errors allowed SNU’s Mel De Vera to narrow the lead. Garcia thankfully regained the lead and secured the first set with a precise high lift. The second set was a neck-and-neck battle. A flawless 8-0 run by Garcia put the Taft squad ahead, 1-0.
The doubles team of Ranie Mullet and Troy Oliveres was next to suit up on the taraflex. Unfortunately, the Red Smashers duo of Arjay Lazareto and Joaquin Pollentes proved to be too strong as they swept the doubles match to even the score, 1-1.
Alron Alonzo headed into battle for the final singles match with momentum on his side to claim the first set against San Beda’s Krenz Vallena. However, things quickly took a turn when Alonzo stepped on the brakes in the second set, with Vallena leveling the playing field to force a winner-takes-all set. Thankfully, intelligent placement and aggressive attacks by Alonzo allowed him to stage a 13-4 run to shatter the Mendiola’s squads four-peat dynasty and propel the Benilde Blazing Shuttlers to victory, 2-1.
Alonzo and Oliveres were hailed Most Valuable Player and Freshman of the Year respectively, while Coach Antonio Mance was awarded Coach of the Year.
Battle for Third
Arielle Peñaflor was first to suit up for the ladies donning white and green against Mapua’s Lorraine Araneta. With each capturing one set apiece, the third set witnessed an intense start. However, Araneta capitalized on Peñaflor’s errors to execute an 8-2 run and ultimately hand over the first point to the Cardinal Shuttlers, 0-1.
The next matchup was a battle of the duos with Mayyn Bercilla and Ashley Evangelista representing the Taft Squad, while Franzine Ramirez and Mikka Sambayon suited up for the Muralla squad. Bercilla and Evangelista controlled the pace of the game and overpowered the Cardinal Shuttlers to tie the game, 1-1. Benilde’s Khrzia Aquino faced off against Mapua’s Deanna Uson for the final and deciding singles game.
Despite two closely contested sets, a singles match sweep secured the bronze medal for the Cardinal Shuttlers, while the Benilde Blazing Shuttlers settled for fourth place.
