Front row (LR): Althea Fuentespina, Niesha de Guzman, Althea Ocampo, Kennie Asuncion-Robles.
The Ateneo de Manila University Badminton team paid a courtesy call to University President Fr Roberto C “Bobby” Yap SJ on 26 November 2024. The teams made the visit in light of their stellar performance in Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Badminton Tournament where both the Men’s and Women’s teams made 1st Runner-Up.
The courtesy call included the teams’ coaches, Hea Coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles, and Assistant Coaches Carlo Remo and Roy Callanta; as well as Ateneo Athletic Director Emmanuel Fernandez.
The Women’s Team finished second only to the University of the Philippines. The team’s loss represented only the first time the team had not won the tournament, following seven straight years as champion. Despite this, freshman Althea Dawn Ocampo was named Rookie of the Year for the women’s tournament.
The Men’s Team, on the other hand, finished second after a close battle with perennial championship rival National University (NU). Ateneo and NU have been trading championships since their first meeting in the finals of Season 82 (not counting Seasons 83 and 84, which were affected by the global pandemic).
During the courtesy call, Fr Yap congratulated the team on their performance while also talking to individual team members to get to know them better. As part of this, the team also shared their experiences from Season 87, as well as their hopes for the future.
