ISAA Season 14: UA&P smashers dominate for badminton double; ICC, PWU snag table tennis crowns


By Ricky Manliguis

University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) celebrated a double title run, while Immaculate Concepcion College (ICC) and Philippine Women’s University (PWU) secured respective championships in table tennis at the close of the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA) badminton and table tennis tournaments at the UA&P Parking and Sports Building in Pasig City, June 21.

The Dragons were unstoppable in fashioning out a 2-0 whitewash over ICCT Colleges in the final to clinch the men’s badminton title.

Matthew Robin Ledesma made short work of Benedict Magan, 21-10, 21-7, in the first singles match before Derrick Sean Garrucho and Robin Vincent Setias secure the chip for the red and gold with a 21-16, 21-16 win over the Blue Dragon tandem of Dexter Madriaga and Jerick Josh Ocon in the doubles.

The Dragons came into the finals undefeated with similar 2-1 wins over ICCT and WCC Aeronautical and Technological College in the preliminary rounds. Also providing the spark for the Ortigas-based squad are Marcelino Jose Mapa and Brendel Josh Anchinges.

The Skyhawks finished in third place.

Meanwhile, UA&P banked on the heroics of graduating skipper Maria Angeline Castillejo as it pulled off a 2-1 escape over WCC for the sweep in the women’s division.

Elise Grace Ubalde opened up the scoring for the Lady Dragons in Singles A with a 21-15, 21-14 victory over Key Esquillo. But WCC forced a deciding game after the pair of Belinda Dela Peña and Laraine Erika Landicho squeaked past Ariane Danielle Esta and Mathieu Gabrielle Orjalo, 21-19, 13-21, 21-14.

Castillejo then fashioned out a nail-biting 20-22, 21-11, 21-8 success over Caryll Mei Sibayan in the second singles match to put away the tie.  

 ICCT Colleges, who fielded only three players, completed the podium finishers.

Over in table tennis, the ICC Blue Hawks went flawless in four matches to rule the men’s division on eight points, punctuated by 2-0 romps over WCC and PWU. 

ICCT Colleges finished first runner-up, as it also made mincemeat of final assignments PWU, 2-0. Wins by veteran JV Tambot and the doubles partnership of John Christine Lotera and Mark Vincent Tolentino propelled the Blue Dragons to second.

On the distaff side, PWU narrowly escaped ICCT, 2-1, in the virtual title match to finish with six points on three victories. The Lady Blue Dragons churned out five points spiked on two wins and a loss to settle for the silver medal.

UA&P took home bronze medals in both divisions after contrasting results, highlighted by the women’s side’s 2-1 thriller over WCC. 


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