Green Archers to vie for UAAP men's, women's badminton titles

De La Salle University’s men’s and women’s badminton squads marched into the finals as they downed their respective rivals in the semifinals of the UAAP Season 72 badminton tournament at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall over the weekend. The Lady Archers edged out semis foe Adamson, 3-2, to boost their shot for a fourth UAAP badminton crown in the women’s division. They next face the UE Lady Warriors, who dethroned last year’s titlist Far Eastern U in the other semis pairing via the same score. Posting the marginal victories for the Lady Archers were Geli Ramos, who beat Lovely Sawada, 21-12, 21-6; Deska Calimlim, who outclassed Jubie Vallarta, 21-12, 21-9; and Danica Bolos against Isabel Vallaran, 21-19, 21-18. For their part, the UE Lady Warriors vaulted into the finals behind the exploits of reigning most valuable player Racquel Guerrero and Fatima Cruz, who trounced the Lady Tamaraws’ tandem of Jennifer Cayetano and Diomalyn Dayao, 21-13, 21-17. Guerrero and Cruz earlier hacked out victories over Cayetano, 19-21, 21-13, 21-17, and Diosan Abangan, 21-14, 21-13, respectively, in singles play. La Salle also sent an entry squad in the men’s division finals after the Green Archers bundled out University of the Philippines, 3-2. The Green Archers will dispute the crown with the University of Santo Tomas, which advanced after defeating Ateneo, 4-1. – GMANews.TV