The Social Sciences (SS) Dragons claimed the championship title in the badminton singles category, while the School of Nursing (SON) Panthers clinched victory in the doubles category of the Palarong Atenista 2024 women’s badminton tournament.

SS Dragons’ Achbbel Celine Baguio swept the match over Natural Science and Mathematics (NSM) Falcons’ Ruscien Wella Doministo with a 21-12, 21-11 victory.

Her tactical placement gave her the advantage over her opponent, with both sets ending with a wide score berth, ensuring her victory over the Falcons’ contender.

Along with her defense, Baguio focused on her drops and feints to force her opponent to make errors which gave her scores all throughout the match.

“It was challenging for me at first, since this is my first time participating [in the Palarong Atenista] and most of my opponents are older than me, but I managed to win through stamina and endurance,” Baguio told Atenews in a post-game interview.

In the doubles category, the School of Nursing (SON) Panthers’ duo Angelika Mijares and Alyssa Marañon reverse swept the SS Dragon tandem Kayle Marie Betarmos and Danielle Kae Jimeno after a tense match with a score of 13-21 deficit in the first set, but claimed the other two sets with scores of 21-12 and 21-16.

Despite the duo closing the gap numerous times during the third set, the Panthers delivered complete and utter victory against their opponents through a 5-point streak, winning the game with a wide score gap.

Both teams showed prowess through their expertise in controlling the shuttle, the victors banked on their in-game communication for strategies, which has proven to be the key component to their victory, as shown through their synchronization throughout the game.

“In games like these, communication is key, like if you want to get the shuttle, you just tell your teammate and the same thing goes with defense,” Mijares said.

Meanwhile, Joyce Lee from the Business and Management (B&M) Vipers won the bronze medal for the singles, and Trisha Mae Manapol and Kate Molina from the Accountancy (ACC) Griffins won bronze for the doubles.

The tournament was held on September 15 at Smashville Fitness Center.