NATIONAL University completed a 5-0 sweep of the qualifying round, securing the top seed in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Badminton Tournament with a decisive 4-1 victory over defending champion Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Manila.
Just a year ago, the Blue Eagles ended the Bulldogs’ impressive 60-tie winning streak, dashing their hopes of claiming an eighth consecutive title.
However, this time, it was Solomon Padiz Jr. and former Blue Eagle Jeno Cariño who sealed the win for NU.
The duo achieved victory with a thrilling comeback, winning 14-21, 21-11, 21-16 against Lyrden Laborte and Robby Ramos in the second doubles match. This victory also snapped the Blue Eagles’ nine-match winning streak, marking their last loss as a 2-3 decision against the University of the Philippines on October 29, 2023.
“For me, we really fought Monchi’s second doubles to secure the Final Four slot as top one. We really aim to be top one because when we are top one, good things can happen,” said the 23-year-old Cariño.
Lanz Zafra opened NU’s account with a 21-10, 21-15 sweep of rookie Ramos, but Laborte quickly leveled the match with a 21-18, 21-11 victory over Mark Velasco.
Zafra and Nestojan Tapales then engaged in a thrilling 62-minute battle against Arthur Salvado Jr. and Lance Vargas, emerging victorious with a score of 21-11, 14-21, 21-19 in the first doubles match, which set up the clincher for the former seven-time champions.
MJ Perez capped off the day for NU, winning after Vargas retired with a shoulder injury while trailing 12-7 in the only game.
The Bulldogs’ victory positioned them for a Final Four clash against the fourth-seeded University of Santo Tomas Golden Shuttlers, who advanced to the semifinals for the third consecutive season after defeating the De La Salle University Green Shuttlers, 3-2.
Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles will face the formidable third-seeded University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (3-2), who dominated the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 4-1, in the other bracket.
The Final Four is scheduled for Tuesday.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UST’s Ivan Angelo Tuazon won the deciding singles rubber for the Golden Shuttlers, defeating Green Shuttler Joshua Fajilan with a score of 21-10, 21-12.
“I was still thinking last night that we should win this to get back to the Final Four. Last year, I didn’t play against La Salle. But this year, I was given a chance earlier. This is my win, not only for me, but for the team, our coaches, and the entire UST.” Tuazon, a UST sophomore, expressed.
Lennox Cuilao and Francis Sarmiento put UST in the lead after winning two hard-fought three-set matches in the first two singles contests.
Cuilao fought back to defeat Miguel Cuarte, 11-21, 21-17, 21-16, while Sarmiento outlasted James Capin, 18-21, 21-19, 21-18.
However, the Green Shuttlers forced a decisive match by winning both doubles rubbers.
Joshua Morada and Yuan Tan narrowly defeated Bien Miraflor and Cuilao, 21-19, 19-21, 21-17, while Cuarte and Zaki Layno overpowered RJ Galve and Sarmiento, 21-16, 21-1
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Mark Anthony Bernal and Enzo Rivera triumphed over Gabriel Ganoy and Noel Hernandez, 21-19, 24-22, to remain unbeaten in five matches, securing UP’s spot in the Final Four.
Jelo Albo and Shan Clar set the tone for UP by winning the first two singles matches.
Albo easily defeated Heaven Linaban, 21-7, 21-7, while Clar overcame Nathaniel Acedillo, 21-17, 21-12.
Julius Fontanilla and Acedillo prevented a shutout for Adamson with a 21-14, 5-21, 21-16 victory over Johann Abinales and Charles Alcarpio, but UP rookie Ethan Josh Dupet wrapped up the rout against Jhon Nathaniel Dema-ano, 21-14, 21-15.
La Salle finished its campaign with a 1-4 record, while Adamson ended the tournament winless.
