UNIVERSITY of the Philippines drubbed Far Eastern University, 4-1, on Sunday to complete a sweep of its elimination-round assignments and advance to the women’s championship outright in UAAP Season 77 badminton on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
The Lady Maroons, third placers last season, went seven for seven in the eliminations and will hold a thrice-to-beat advantage over the survivor of the stepladder semifinals.
Paola Bernardo and Mary Ann Maranon provided the victories for UP in singles play, while the tandems of Maria Elisha Ongcuangco and Jessie Francisco and Marina Caculitan and Maranon won their respective doubles matches.
La Salle, meanwhile, forged a playoff with defending champion Ateneo for the No. 2 seed in the stepladder semifinals with a 3-2 squeaker.
The doubles tandems of Kristelle Dawn Salatan and Aires Amor Montilla, and Alyssa Isabel Leonardo and Danica San Ignacio delivered the clincher for the Lady Archers, tying the Lady Eagles in second place at 5-2.
La Salle and Ateneo meet again at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, with the winner assured of the twice-to-beat edge in the second stepladder match.
University of Santo Tomas avoided an early vacation with a 3-2 victory over already-eliminated University of the East.
The Tigresses tied the Lady Tamaraws at fourth place with 4-3. The two teams clash in a do-or-die showdown at 1 p.m. on Wednesday to determine the No. 4 seed.
The winner of the sudden death tie will face the loser of the Ateneo-La Salle playoff in the first stepladder match.
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