Ateneo de Manila University soared back to the UAAP men’s badminton throne with an emphatic statement, sweeping the entire season and clinching its sixth overall championship — and second in three years — with a commanding 3-0 rout of the University of the Philippines in the Season 88 Finals on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
In a historic first-ever Battle of Katipunan championship on the men’s side, the Blue Eagles were simply unstoppable.
The Loyola-based squad capped a perfect 7-0 season, with rookie sensation JR Pandi shining brightest under the lights of the championship stage.
Pandi had missed Ateneo’s first three ties due to his stint with the national juniors team at the World Junior Championships in Guwahati, India. But he returned just in time to prove his worth.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The 18-year-old phenom opened the Finals with a stunning victory over his Smash Pilipinas senior Jelo Albo, 21-15, 21-19, setting the tone for Ateneo’s dominant title clincher.
From the first serve, Pandi was fearless — attacking early, defending smartly, and never letting the previously undefeated Albo dictate the pace.
Despite Albo’s spirited fight in the second game, Pandi’s poise and precision sealed the 53-minute match in straight sets.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Senior Lyrden Laborte, Ateneo’s co-captain and Season 86 co-MVP, then showcased his grit in the second singles match. After dropping the first game, Laborte stormed back with relentless consistency to outlast Kervin Llanes, 17-21, 21-15, 21-8, giving the Blue Eagles a 2-0 cushion.
Laborte’s stellar performance throughout the season earned him the Season 88 MVP award, capping a campaign of dominance and leadership on the court.
That set the stage for Pandi’s encore — this time alongside graduating senior Arthur Salvado Jr. in the doubles match. Facing Albo and Mark Anthony Bernal, the pair displayed calm and chemistry under pressure.
They overcame an early deficit in the opening game before locking in defensively and turning the tide with crisp transition attacks. The duo completed the sweep, 24-22, 21-11, to deliver Ateneo’s golden finish.
“Happy po ako na sa first year ko, nag-champion po ulit kaming Ateneo team. Kahit na hindi po ako nakapaglaro nung mga first ties, OK lang naman po. At least, nakapag-contribute po lahat sa tulong rin ng coaches, we able to get this win,” said Pandi, a product of Ragayan National High School.
“Yung mindset po namin talaga, kailangan po naming isa-isip ‘yung kung ano ba ‘yung goal namin this season, and sa tulong nga po ng coaches. ‘Yung sacrifices namin na magigising kami nang maaga, and pagkatapos rin po ng training may classes,” the first-year Interdisciplinary Studies major added.
“Thankful po kami na nagbunga ‘yung mga sacrifices namin.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The championship also broke the tie between Ateneo and UP, who entered the Finals with five titles apiece. For longtime head coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles, last year’s Finals defeat served as the fuel that reignited Ateneo’s hunger for redemption.
“Definitely, it was one of the factors in this win, kasi dinibdib ng players ‘yon. Sabi talaga nila, that’s what we’re gonna work for,” said Asuncion-Robles.
“We never took anything for granted, even going into the Final Four, even if with the No. 1 position. Alam naming upsets can happen, and we were prepared for every challenge that comes our way. So, sa tingin ko ‘yung preparedness talaga namin helped this time get the gold.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, National University, the dethroned champion, secured the bronze medal after dispatching De La Salle University, 3-1, in the third-place playoff.
Last year’s MVP Lanz Zafra led the Bulldogs’ bounce-back effort with a dominant showing, sweeping both his singles and doubles matches.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Zafra cruised past James Carl Capin, 21-7, 21-10, before teaming up with MJ Perez to take down Miguel Cuarte and Zaki Layno, 21-18, 21-19.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Lovic Javier, an 18-year-old standout from De La Salle University, salvaged one point for the Green Archers after defeating Ben Dictado, 21-14, 21-10. Javier, along with Pandi from Ateneo, was recognized as one of the Season 88 Rookies of the Year for their exceptional performances throughout the tournament.
NU’s James Villarante and John Benedict Gam then sealed the bronze, 21-14, 21-18.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
