Ateneo de Manila University and National University claimed the top two seeds in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Badminton Final Four after decisive victories over fellow Season 87 semifinalists University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines, respectively, Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall in Malate, Manila.
The Blue Eagles dominated the Golden Shuttlers, 5-0, remaining undefeated with four wins this season.
Prized recruit Jamal Pandi made his UAAP debut following a stint with the national team at the World Junior Championships, teaming with Lyrden Laborte for a 21-14, 21-13 sweep of Ron Galve and Bien Miraflor to seal the victory.
Adamson University revived its Final Four hopes with a breakthrough 3-2 win over De La Salle University, marking its first team tie triumph in six years.
Ateneo’s win puts them in a tie atop the standings with National University, both holding pristine 4-0 records ahead of their showdown on Saturday at 8:00 AM.
“I think everyone came in prepared — very focused sila this time, and they really want it. They’re really focused on playing one tie at a time talaga,” said longtime head coach Kennie Asuncion-Robles.
“I hope they can play even better than they’ve shown. ‘Yun lang naman ang gusto natin eh — concentrate on playing it right, playing it well, then mas malaki ‘yung chance of getting to the goal.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Reigning champion NU relied on a huge comeback from MJ Perez in the first singles match to overcome UP, 4-1, keeping their lead at the top.
Perez, who had struggled earlier in the season, turned the tide against Shan Clar, 20-22, 21-12, 22-20, setting the tone for the rout.
For Ateneo, Lance Vargas and Robbie Ramos quickly established a 2-0 lead over UST. Vargas, the Season 85 Rookie of the Year, defeated Lennox Cuilao, 21-16, 21-16, while Ramos dispatched JM Sison, 21-10, 21-13.
The Blue Eagles completed the sweep as Arthur Salvado Jr. and Vargas triumphed over John Vincent Espinoza and Janzen Panisales in three games, 21-13, 16-21, 21-11; and Lyrden Laborte closed out the tie with a 21-10, 21-17 win against Angelo Tuazon.
UP’s Kervin Llanes gave the Fighting Maroons a momentary lifeline with a 21-11, 21-16 victory over NU’s Miko Mosarbas, but the defending champions swept the two doubles matches and the third singles rubber to secure the win.
Perez and Lanz Zafra overpowered Mark Bernal and Arjay Philip Lazareto, 21-13, 21-17, while John Benedict Gam and James Villarante sealed the triumph against Jelo Albo and Kian Cruz, 21-17, 21-14.
Zafra closed the day with a 21-10, 21-14 victory over JM Estrada in a battle of team captains.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Adamson celebrated its first tie win since Season 82 — a 4-1 triumph over University of the East on Sept. 28, 2019.
Senior Nathaniel Acedillo delivered the decisive blow with a 21-18, 21-15 victory over Gift Linaban in the deciding singles match.
The tie saw back-and-forth action, with John Russel Oliveros taking the first point for Adamson, 22-20, 8-21, 21-18, against rookie Lovic Javier.
Miguel Cuarte quickly responded with a 21-12, 21-5 rout of John Paul Badang.
Acedillo and Oliveros then restored Adamson’s lead, 21-17, 9-21, 21-13, over Joshua Morada and Yuan Tan, but Cuarte and Zaki Layno leveled the tie with a 21-9, 21-17 win against Gabriell Ganoy and Noel Hernandez Jr.
The remaining two semifinal spots will be decided on the final day of the qualifying rounds this Saturday at 8:00 AM.
Aside from the titanic rematch between Ateneo and NU, UP faces Adamson, while UST goes up against DLSU, with Final Four tickets at stake.
