ATENEO DE MANILA and National University maintained their perfect 4-0 records in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Badminton Tournament following contrasting victories on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Manila.
The Blue Eagles staged a thrilling comeback against University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, winning 3-2.
Season 86 co-MVP Lyrden Laborte clinched the victory in the deciding singles match, defeating rookie Ethan Dupet decisively with scores of 21-8, 21-8.
In contrast, the Bulldogs delivered a dominant performance, sweeping University of Santo Tomas Golden Shuttlers 5-0.
Season 85 MVP Solomon Padiz Jr. and Jeno Cariño secured the opening doubles match with a 21-13, 21-14 victory over Janzen Panisales and RJ Galve.
The two squads will clash for the top spot on Sunday at 8 a.m. at the same venue.
“I’m happy with their performance. A win is still a win, and I’m glad they’ve pulled through. Talagang gano’n naman, it’s hard to say who’s going to get it. Kasi kahit pahirap na siya, everybody’s also gearing up for it,” said Ateneo head coach Kennie Asuncion, reflecting on the team’s effort.
The match between Ateneo and UP started with both teams splitting the first two singles matches.
Robbie Ramos opened for Ateneo, defeating fellow rookie Shan Clar 21-7, 21-17, before Smash Pilipinas standout Jewel Albo equalized for UP with a 21-12, 21-16 victory over Lance Vargas.
UP gained the upper hand when Enzo Rivera and Mark Anthony Bernal outplayed Laborte and Charles Bagasbas, winning 21-13, 21-16 in 40 minutes.
However, Ateneo’s Arthur Salvado Jr. and Vargas rallied to level the score, defeating Johann Abinales and Charles Alcarpio 21-9, 21-17, setting the stage for Laborte’s decisive win.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, NU head coach Jaime Llanes emphasized the importance of consistency moving forward.
“I told them one game at a time first. Don’t even think about who you can fight against. I just tell them to always play hard and play with heart. Just play and what will be given to their work, they just need to give their best,” he said.
The Bulldogs dominated their match against UST with Lanz Zafra and Mark Anthony Velasco setting the tone with impressive wins in the first two singles rubbers.
Zafra overwhelmed Francis Sarmiento 21-8, 21-5 in just 25 minutes, while Velasco secured a swift 21-7, 21-14 win over Lennox Cuilao in 30 minutes.
Nestojan Tapales and John Benedict Gam faced a tougher battle against Bien Miraflor and John Vincent Espinoza, overcoming them 21-16, 15-21, 21-16 in a 48-minute duel.
MJ Perez capped the sweep with a hard-fought 21-19, 17-21, 21-16 victory over Ivan Angelo Tuazon in a grueling hour-long match.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, De La Salle University (1-3) claimed its first win of the season against Adamson University, emerging victorious 4-1.
Zaki Layno and Miguel Cuarte came back from a set down to defeat Julius Fontanilla and Nathaniel Acedillo 17-21, 21-16, 21-13 in a thrilling 63-minute battle, snapping the Green Shuttlers’ losing streak and reviving their Final Four hopes.
Gabriel Ganoy and Noel Hernandez prevented a shutout for the Soaring Falcons, who fell to 0-4 and were eliminated from semifinal contention, with a 21-18, 13-21, 21-13 victory over Joshua Morada and Yuan Tan.
UP (2-2) will look to avoid complications when they face Adamson, hoping to join Ateneo and NU in the Final Four, while UST and DLSU will vie for the final spot in the next round.
Both matches are also set for Sunday at 8 a.m.
