Storming through the competition, the Reapers of the College of Agriculture cemented their golden dominance by claiming back-to-back badminton championships, triumphing in a fiercely contested showdown against their long-time rivals, the College of Education Mentors, and reaffirming their unrivaled supremacy on the court at the University Gymnasium on October 14.
photo by Rayjie Carillo
Fueled by the unwavering determination of their fearless team captain and men's most valuable player, Jesffe Masalon, the Reapers unleashed their fury on the Mentors, dominating every event in a spectacular display of athleticism. In a nail-biter, Masalon and Ruel Alon showcased their unmatched synergy in men's doubles B, edging out the Mentors 2-1.
Meanwhile, women’s most valuable player Julia Jomento teamed up with Fevie Nudque to overpower their opponents, ultimately clinching the championship and securing an exhilarating back-to-back victory.
In men's doubles A, the Reapers, featuring the formidable duo of Rene Siolao and Godwin Lamzon, effortlessly dismantled the Mentors in a commanding 2-0 victory [21-13, 21-7], showcasing their dominance on the court. Simultaneously, in women's doubles A, Mel Narte and Zea Ancheta delivered a strong performance, battling through two tightly contested sets to secure a hard-fought 2-0 win with identical scores of 22-20, further highlighting the Reapers' impressive consistency and teamwork across both events.
In an interview, COA’s smasher Jomento expressed her heartfelt enthusiasm for the impending graduation of several teammates, emphasizing their collective ambition to achieve championship status as a fitting tribute to their time together. She praised their captain for his exceptional hands-on leadership during daily training sessions, noting how his steadfast dedication and encouragement motivated the entire team to remain focused and fully committed to their shared goals.
As she stated, "Maskin mag-stay among captain or kung mag-extend siya, gina-aim gihapon namo na mag-champion gihapon namo para tuloy-tuloy."
Concurrently, Team Captain Masalon expressed his gratitude, stating, "First of all, nagapasalamat ko kay Lord kay kung hindi dahil sa Iya, di namo [ni] ma-kamit." He acknowledged the pressure he felt as captain to defend their title from last year, emphasizing the intensity of their training despite their hectic schedules.
He also mentioned that he encourages the team to train every day, adding, "Luckily, na-defend namo with the help of our sports coordinator, who arranged additional practice sessions." Masalon highlighted the team's dedication, noting that they listened to him even when he got upset, taking everything seriously to ensure their success.
As the Reapers continue to make history, they set their sights on achieving a three-peat next season. Masalon emphasized that even after graduation, he will remain committed to helping his former teammates enhance their skills.
Meanwhile, the Tycoons of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy made significant strides, rising from last year's fifth-place finish to clinch a bronze medal, showcasing their remarkable improvements and dedication to excellence.
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