Business & Management (BM) Vipers, Humanities & Letters (HumLet) Wolves, Natural Sciences and Mathematics & School of Education (NSMxSOE) Lions, and Accountancy (ACC) Griffins prevailed in the recently concluded Palarong Atenista 2022  badminton tournament.

BM Vipers won the Men’s Singles, while the HumLet Wolves claimed the Women’s Singles category. NSMxSOE Lions won for the men’s division in the doubles category, and the ACC Griffins clinched the gold for the women’s division.

Singles Category

Freshie Gem Bangcaya brought home the gold for the Vipers in the Men’s category against Social Sciences Dragons sophomore Daniel Purisma in a sweep, 21-11, 21-11. 

His strategic net shots gave him the momentum he needed to make powerful smash hits. 

”Palagi ko lang siyang gina smash kasi na observe ko na yun yung weakness niya and I ended up the game fast baka kasi pag pinadikit ko pa yung laban baka matalo pa ako,” Bangcaya said.

Adjusting to the singles category, Purisima noted that it was challenging for him since he’s been a doubles player since elementary school. 

“First time ko mag sali ng tournament na singles. Enjoy sa feeling kasi first encounter with college students from different clusters.” He added.

In the women’s category, HumLet Wolves Kath Espe and her strategic plays gave the championship for the team after defeating BM Viper Keisha Junio in straight sets 21-10, 21-14.

Espe, a 4th-year student, shared that she was happy to have finally come back to the Palarong Atenista.

When asked about her strategies used throughout the game, she said, “Yung weakness ng kalaban ko, ginamit ko as my strength.”

Doubles Category

The doubles category was a comeback for all, with back-to-back championships for both men’s and women’s divisions.

Senior ACC Griffins Aiella Calica and Dell Merina are back at it with another gold for the cluster since their last stint in Palaro 2019 badminton women’s doubles and singles category, respectively. Their outstanding team dynamics led them to defeat School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) Tigers Francesca Junio and Charlene Tao, 21-12, 21-12.

“Nakabalik lang ako [sa paglalaro] dahil sa Palarong Atenista. It was a great opportunity for me to get back to the game,” Calica said. 

Merina added that this year’s Palaro was challenging yet fun at the same time.

From freshies to seniors, Vince Malikay and Richmond Rivera of the  NSMxSOE Lions clinched their second gold as a college-ender in a sweep against ACC Griffins Kent Lejarso and Charles Virtudazo, 21-14, 21-13.

Both shared that they were already partners in the doubles category since their first year and only got to play again now that they’re in their fourth year of college. 

“Happy ako because I got to play again with my partner,” Malikay said.

Rivera emphasized that they both really relied on their mutual trust, along with proper communication with each other, to bag the championship successfully.

“Pag magkaerror, magkaroon ng problema, you support each other,” he added.

Battling for third in the Men’s singles division, Computer Science Chameleons snatched the bronze from SEA Tigers with a 21-9, 25-23 win. NSMxSOE Lions also defeated the SEA Tigers in the semis women’s division and placed third, 21-18, 21-9.

Meanwhile, HumLet Wolves outlasted BM Vipers for third place in the men’s doubles category, 21-18, 21-13, while the Vipers dominated the School of Nursing Panthers in the women’s category, 21-18, 21-9.

The tournament was held on July 31 at SmashVille Fitness Center.