The Ateneo women's badminton team after its triumphant campaign in UAAP Season 88, October 22, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. UAAP Media
MANILA -- Ateneo de Manila University reclaimed the UAAP women's badminton crown in style on Wednesday, sweeping first-time finalist National University at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
The Blue Eagles completed a golden double in the Season 88 badminton tournaments, as their men's team earlier secured victory over the University of the Philippines, 3-0.
READ: Ateneo completes perfect season, claims men's badminton crown
Mika de Guzman, Ateneo's graduating team captain, capped her UAAP career with a rousing performance as she led the Blue Eagles to their eighth title. She ensured that her return was one of redemption, sweeping the two events she played—the first singles match and the first doubles match.
De Guzman, a Smash Pilipinas standout, displayed both consistency and dominance, needing just 20 minutes in her final singles match to topple Hailene Diaz, 21-8, 21-8. Diaz tried to match De Guzman at the start of both games, but the Ateneo star quickly took control and never looked back.
Her teammate and sophomore, Althea Ocampo, overcame a first-game setback to defeat NU's top player, Ysabel Amora, 17-21, 21-12, 21-13, in the second singles rubber.
Ocampo showed flashes of brilliance in the opener against Amora, but her rally wasn't enough to take down the Lady Bulldog.
The Season 87 Rookie of the Year, however, carried that momentum into the second and third games, putting Ateneo on the verge of the championship.
With Ateneo up 2-0, De Guzman and co-captain Jochelle Alvarez wasted no time reclaiming the throne for the Blue Eagles in the lone doubles match.
After the mandatory break for Amora, who also played doubles, De Guzman and Alvarez dominated the first game and turned the second set into a statement of their championship credentials.
The Ateneo captains patiently waited for the right moments to attack, and despite taking 34 minutes to close the match, they claimed a decisive 21-6, 21-10 victory over Amora and Gwyneth Desacola, securing both the tie and the championship.
"Of course, I am very happy and proud of the team, that we were able to bring the double gold back to Ateneo. So just really happy and proud of everyone," De Guzman said.
"Well, sobrang nakita ko naman. Kay Avec (Ocampo) pa lang nakita ko na all heart, all out siya. And I am very happy that Jochelle and I also gave our all out, all heart this season."
Mika de Guzman of Ateneo in action in the UAAP Season 88 women's badminton Finals against NU, October 22, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall. UAAP Media
With this triumph, Ateneo claimed its sixth men's title and ninth women's crown, marking a third double crown and a second twin victory in three years.
With eventual MVPs De Guzman and Lyrden Laborte leading the way, longtime head coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles credited the team's hunger after last year's losses.
"Definitely, maraming learnings from what happened last year, so talagang gutom sila to take it back," said the concurrent program director of the Philippine Badminton Association.
"Sobrang ok na, we had good recruitment and it played a big role, eh, kasi hindi sobrang pagod 'yung players mo. Hindi kailangang mag-double event lahat. It was really a big help."
University of the Philippines continued its post-pandemic podium streak with a third-place finish, sweeping University of Santo Tomas, 3-0.
Susmita Ramos and Anthea Gonzalez gave the Fighting Maroons a 2-0 lead following contrasting victories in the singles matches.
Ramos, a former Smash Pilipinas standout, ended her fourth year with a 21-19, 22-20 win over Reshane Nicor, while last year's MVP, Gonzalez, needed 36 minutes to dominate eventual co-Rookie of the Year Hanie De Jesus, 21-15, 21-8.
Newcomers Krissa De Leon and Trisha Postrano then secured the bronze with a 21-18, 21-18 win over UST seniors Jennifer Saladaga and Rhafi Anne Santos.
The Fighting Maroons also had another reason to celebrate, as Brys Fuggan shared the top rookie award with De Jesus.
On the men's side, 18-year-olds Lovic Javier of De La Salle University and JR Pandi of Ateneo were named Rookies of the Year.