The UST Tiger Shuttlers outlasted the DLSU Green Shuttlers, 3-2, to secure the last semifinal slot for the UAAP Season 87 men's badminton tournament on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Badminton Hall.

Tiger Shuttler Matthew Cuilao started off cold as he gave up the first singles match to DLSU’s Miguel Cuarte, 11-21, before responding with two consecutive games, 21-17, 21-16, to give UST a 1-0 lead.

Francis Sarmiento continued the streak for UST after surviving late rallies from the Green Shuttlers’ James Capin, 18-21, 21-19, 21-18, to notch a 2-0 lead for the Tiger Shuttlers.

Cuilao and Bien Miraflor then bowed down to the duo of Joshua Morada and Yuan Tan, 19-21, 21-19, 17-21, as the DLSU duo tried to keep the Green Shuttlers in the fight, 2-1.

Sarmiento and Jacob Galve attempted to close the doors on the Taft-based squad pair of Cuarte and Jerard Layno but were sweeped, 16-21, 14-21, resulting in a deadlock as they went on for the rubber match, 2-2.

Angelo Tuazon finished the match with a 21-10, 21-12 drubbing of DLSU’s sweep over Joshua Fajilan 21-10, 21-12, to clinch a semifinal slot for the España-based squad.

The Tiger Shuttlers will face last season’s runner up NU Bulldogs on Tuesday, Oct. 29, in the same venue for a chance to cop the championship for the tournament.