MANILA -- De La Salle University claimed a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Adamson University to revive their Final 4 hopes in the UAAP Season 88 women's badminton tournament on Sunday.
Mia Manguilimotan, a graduating senior, extended her collegiate career after pulling off a 21-14, 21-14 triumph over Adamson's Key Aubrey Fuerte in the deciding singles match at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
Both teams had earlier split the first four rubbers — including the second doubles match where Manguilimotan also saw action.
Manguilimotan redeemed herself from that doubles loss, shaking off fatigue and using her momentum to control the tempo in the singles rubber.
Though Fuerte had her moments, managing to return several difficult shuttles late in the match, Manguilimotan's consistent play and wide scoring margins proved too much to overcome.
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La Salle's Mia Manguilimotan in action in the UAAP Season 88 women's badminton tournament, October 19, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila. UAAP Media
With the victory, De La Salle, which had previously fallen short last Thursday, will face University of Santo Tomas once more for the last semifinal ticket on Monday at 1 p.m., still at the same Malate venue.
"Yung game nila against UST kasi is talagang hindi nila nailabas 'yung laro nila eh. So, for this game, talagang nag-prepare kami, pinatapangan namin 'yung loob ng mga bata kasi 'yun 'yung nawala eh. Inisip nila 'yung pressure na manalo agad against UST," said coach Descka Calimlim.
"Now, 'yung confidence nila at tiwala sa sarili, lumabas ngayong araw na 'to. Lahat kami, nagtulung-tulong; effort rin talaga."
The Lady Falcons from San Marcelino actually drew first blood, as Abbygail Barcelona outlasted La Salle captain Ghiselle Bautista, 21-15, 17-21, 21-16, in a grueling opening match that lasted 63 minutes.
The Lady Green Shuttlers quickly bounced back, with Zashca Tuario taking care of Adamson rookie Khylle Agura, 21-13, 21-12, before Bautista teamed up with Viana Antonio to outclass Keanna Casaje and Rhealyn Pedron, 21-8, 21-15, in the first doubles rubber that lasted 51 minutes.
Manguilimotan initially had a chance to seal the tie in the second doubles match, but her partnership with Army Espe faltered against the resilient tandem of Barcelona and Agura.
Despite dominating the opening set, 21-11, the pair dropped the next two, 13-21, 17-21, allowing Adamson to force a deciding singles rubber.
But Manguilimotan, determined not to end her UAAP journey on a sour note, rose to the challenge once again.
The fifth-year senior delivered in the clutch, closing out Fuerte in straight sets to secure the Lady Green Shuttlers' 3-2 triumph — and another day to fight for La Salle.